Bereavement Counseling

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Liberty University *

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COUC 502

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Philosophy

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Feb 20, 2024

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docx

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Bereavement Counseling Looking at human development from a Biblical/Christian standpoint as something that occurs across the lifetime, then we cannot ignore the fact that human development is still occurring at end of life. Many times, those who are dying find comfort in their faith and spirituality. Christians, for example, know that believers will have eternal life after earthly death (John 3:16, KJV). The Association for Death Education and Counseling Code of Ethics (2010) seeks to address ethical issues associated with the fragile and complicated process of death and dying. Discuss the challenges and implications of elderhood. Then, read through The Code of Ethics for the Association for Death Education and Counseling and highlight two specific responsibilities that a counselor has when counseling someone in the end stages of life. Detail these responsibilities and discuss why they are important. There are several challenges and implications of elderhood. In fact, some of these individuals tend share the same difficulties as emerging adults. Some of these challenges are acknowledging and accepting the realities of aging, the normalization of the angst about the future, active reminiscence and nostalgia for the past, accommodation to various changes, a search for new meaningful goals, and the expansion of tolerance of life circumstances (Skerrett & Chandy, 2021). It is important for counselors to be familiar with the bereavement process and how to walk clients through it, whether they are grieving the loss of a loved one or the impending end of their own life (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez, 2021). According to Erikson’s theory, the main challenge that we face in elderhood is navigating the crisis of integrity versus despair. This is the final stage of this psychosocial theory of development. It is during this time that individuals reflect back on their lives and feel a sense of fulfillment. Success at this stage results in wisdom and satisfaction, while failure results in regret and despair (Wong, Hall, & Hernandez, 2021). These individuals typically become fearful that their lives will end before they can fulfill the accomplishments they desire. The responsibilities that a counselor has when counseling someone in the end stages of life are similar to those in any other counseling scenario. The Code of Ethics for the Association for Death Education and Counseling lists nine basic tenets when serving clients. Tenet number six states that the counselor is to provide various view of death-related questions, while making sure to respect the client’s choice (ADEC, 2010). This can be done by familiarizing oneself with different cultural perspectives of death. Depending on the culture the client identifies with, their view of death may be different than that of the counselor, so alternatives views should be brought to the counselor’s awareness and knowledge base. Each religion has its own view of what happens after death. Christians, Muslims, members of the Jewish faith, all believe in an afterlife and that the soul goes to either Heaven or Hell, with varying views on how one can get to Heaven. Whereas other religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism may believe in reincarnation. Some individuals don’t believe anything happens after death and others don’t even care to speculate. Therefore, it is important to be aware of the client’s faith-based orientation so that helpful discussions may be had when questions about death arise.

Tenet number eight states that it is the responsibility of the client to know his or her limitations in the extend to which they can help the client, and for him or her to have a plethora of available and appropriate referral sources (ADEC, 2010). This goes hand in hand with the ACA (2014) standard for counselor’s to not operate outside the realm of their competency. However, it is the responsibility of bereavement counselors to systematically gain and develop this competency over time, especially if they are members of the ADEC. It is important to recognize that a difference in values does not constitute a deficiency in competency. As a Christian, I should be able to counselor an atheist client for example without imposing my own religious values. Afterall, Romans 4:14 states that, “It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld because the Lord can make him stand,” (NIV, 2011). This verse reminds us that it is not our role to force our beliefs onto others. I feel like this tenet refers more to situations that may fall slightly outside the scope of counseling. For example, a counselor can only help so much if asked to help make plans for one’s funeral. They would likely need to be referred to a funeral coordinator. As stated before, the responsibilities of very much the same to these clients as they are to any other. Confidentiality must be honored. Informed consent must be obtained. Consultations should be sought when necessary. Even those these clients are preparing for the end of their lives; they are still guaranteed the same rights as any other client seeking services. (689 words) References Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC). (2010). Code of Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.adec.org/page/Code_of_Ethics#Served New International Version . (2011). BibleGateway.com. http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/New- International-Version-NIV-Bible/#booklist Skerrett, K., Spira, M., & Chandy, J. (2021). Emerging elderhood: Transitions from midlife. Clinical Social Work Journal , 1-10. Wong, D. W., Hall, K. R., & Hernandez, L. W. (2021). Counseling individuals through the lifespan . SAGE publications.

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