Conceptual Framework for Spirituality Practice (8) (1)
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1 Conceptual Framework for Spirituality Practice Liliana Moses Aurora University Karen Shilvock-Cinefro SWK 5598 S1-01 - 2401 –
Spirituality, Meaning Making, and Faith-Based Practice 02/25/2024
2 Social workers aim to evaluate and address complex social issues and obtain the well-
being of families, individuals, and communities. The significant element of social work practice and the integration of spirituality is essential, especially in social work and the development of spiritual clients, and the trust needed is sensitive in social work. Cultural competence is critical in social work and interventions and acknowledges the position of individuals and the comprehension of social theory. When conducting and researching theories on collecting spirituality in sensitive practices, the culture and the indigenous faith come into play and should be well-researched when the individual's faith is obtained. The organizations I will be discussing are the County of San Diego and the Community Christian Services Agency, and I will discuss how their spiritual perspectives are quite different. The issue with the county is how they are not trained to handle clients that are faith-based in an organization that investigates child abuse. The client, Jamie, will be the primary source of information regarding this essay, how she navigated her faith between the investigation of her child and the two organizations, and how she experienced positivity and negativity from both concerning her faith. Jamie says she is Christian but was not saved till later in life; she was twenty-five when she recognized her first encounter with Jesus. Her childhood was filled with traditions, church, and prayers, but she did not connect with Christianity until she was older. Her childhood was mostly filled with radical religion and, a lot of the time, taken out of the context of the Bible to pursue their way. The way Jamie expresses her spiritual perspective today is the "welcoming of Jesus and the warmth of the words of the Bible." Asking her to elaborate, she said the primary line, "Loving Jesus and following him, is different from loving the church." Jamie has had a bad childhood because her family, like so many, were following a church and not Jesus. Jamie's childhood trauma has been prevalent throughout her life and has not only affected her but her
3 children. Jamie's spirituality is relevant to her present situation as it influences her decision-
making, coping mechanisms, and support-seeking behaviors. For Jamie, her faith offers a framework for understanding her circumstances and provides a sense of purpose and meaning. In 2020, Jamie was introduced to a social worker from the county of San Diego about an alleged referral of neglect. Jamie has two children; they were six and two at the time. The referral was because Jamie was leaving her six-year-old in the closet for prayer time for hours; she was doing what she thought was right. However, this has created a challenge in her interactions with the County of San Diego, which is conducting the investigation, and the Community Christian Services Agency, which is providing support during this difficult time. The presenting problem in Jamie's case is twofold. Firstly, she is facing the distressing and emotionally taxing experience of having her faith questioned and potentially misunderstood by the County of San Diego, which lacks the cultural competence to appreciate her spiritual perspective fully
—
gaining an understanding of Jamie's spiritual perspective, consisting of going to the Community Christian Services Agency, also known as (CCSA), and viewing the resources she had and needed, such as their non-judgmental viewpoints (
CCSA –
Providing Transitional Services to Those in Need
, n.d.). They understood the prayer closet and advocated her to the investigating social worker, but also educated her on the ages and the effects it could bring to the child. Jamie attended faith-
based counseling and sought to understand her trauma and how it could and has affected her children (team, 2022). Jamie's traditions were part of her, such as praying every day, sometimes multiple times a day, going to church, praying over her daughters, and having a prayer room. In therapy, she learned the healthy boundaries she should have. The theory of social work is a foundation that provides a comprehension of human behavior and entrusted interventions. Key theories in social work, such as system theories, the
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4 strength-based perspective in the person-environment approach, and the ecological perspective, are all frameworks that support and connect individuals with essential resources that align with their strengths (Pattoni, 2012). One of these theories is integrated into this framework; social workers can understand the effectiveness of acknowledging spirituality and connectedness. Spirituality can be linked to strength when individuals are in an environment with seeds of resilience, strength, and understanding. For example, individuals tend to open up and promote a detailed history of their life when they feel their emotions are safe with someone, meaning the ability to trust centers around the person who is listening; social workers can frame this behavior and travel the client's processes with continued care by nourishing them with safe spaces (Marketing, 2023). This can serve clients' need for diverse understanding holistically. When Jamie was around the investigating social worker, she felt judged, as if she should have known about the neglect, she would be introducing her daughter, even though that approach was subjected to her. Spirituality will intertwine with social work, and it is essential for social workers to not only have a broad understanding of spirituality but also to aim and create awareness of resources in the client's lives. For example, integrating Christian methods into social work practices can enhance the intervention and facilitate emotional well-being. If a client requests faith-based intervention, calling a Christian-based therapist/counselor makes the client feel heard, which turns into trust and can display healing, forgiveness, and compassion, which is part of the Christian faith. Furthermore, if Christianity was not integrated into social work, and clients who were Christians sought out aid, it would be an issue for clients if they did not trust their social worker with the process of their emotions; for example, if a Christian client used the term "The enemy is following me" and the social worker did not dive deep into understanding the clients
5 thought process, the social worker could easily dismiss the client (Harris et al., 2006). Cultural spirituality content looks different for everyone; two Christians have the same beliefs but practice worship differently. For example, a client who goes to a predominantly white church might tend to listen to a different kind of pastor than a primarily black church. The term "dramatic" is used for the black church; sometimes, the emotions are heightened, and everyone gets excited. Having a client who has a heightened and excited personality can often be looked at as loud, and black churches, especially with the older crowd, could be dismissed as yelling, audible, or aggressive when the word of use is passionate. Beliefs, values, and my experiences and how they intertwine with social, and spirituality have impacted my understanding of how I practice social work. I did not grow up Christian; Christ saved me on July 27, 20202. Being saved means Jesus saved you from what Christians believe is going to hell. The practice of Christianity is growing with Christ, reading the word of the Bible, and serving. Because I am a Christian, I can understand others' spirituality and use that framework to aid others who have faith, even if it differs from mine. I have sat down and talked with clients from different faiths from mine. I have recognized the importance of integrating spirituality into social work and aiding clients in addressing their concerns better. Each week, when the discussion post, reading, and personal experiences, my framework development has been grounded in Christian principles; the framework ensures and emphasizes the need for empathy, compassion, and fairness. My framework goes with ethical practices and collaborates cultural humility into social practices. Integrating my spirituality, which aligns with Jamie's Christian faith, into the practice would involve understanding and respecting Jamie's beliefs, values, and practices. This connection would require recognizing the ethical and practical considerations involved in addressing Jamie's spiritual needs within a professional context. It is
6 vital to approach Jamie's spirituality with humility, sensitivity, and a willingness to learn from her experiences and perspectives. A social worker's job is to understand the client's needs and wants; this means connecting them to the right resources. The planning stage is critical, and the process before the planning is vital because of the end goal. Social workers should prepare to see the client at least once a month to begin the process and ensure constant growth. For example, working as a Protective Services Worker, also known as a PSW, we make sure safety is present for the child. Creating healthy boundaries is a must if a client wants to talk about religion in a therapy session that a social worker knows nothing about; I suggest researching faith-based therapy. Their strength is in their faith; in study 93 observational research, two-thirds found lower rates of depressive disorder with fewer depressive symptoms for nonreligious individuals (Dein, 2010). Implementing my framework for the practice and information about the client's spiritual perspective includes incorporating prayers, scriptures, and Christian teachings into our discussions and exploring how her faith can inform her coping strategies and decision-making. Also, collaborating with Jamie's faith community to provide support and resources aligning with her beliefs would be integral to the plan. The nature of the helping relationship would be characterized by a deep respect for Jamie's spirituality and a commitment to supporting her holistic well-being. The plan for spiritually sensitive practice would involve incorporating Jamie's spiritual perspective into the assessment and intervention process. In integrating Jamie's spiritual perspective into the practice, specific helping activities will focus on incorporating her Christian faith into the therapeutic process. Prayer and meditation will be critical components, providing Jamie with a means to connect with her faith, find solace, and gain clarity. Exploring relevant scriptures and teachings from the Bible will offer guidance and
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7 comfort, aligning her decision-making with her spiritual beliefs. Encouraging spiritual reflection will help Jamie deepen her understanding of how her faith influences her values, beliefs, and actions, guiding her in her journey (Johnson et al., 2023). Additionally, facilitating connections with Jamie's faith community will provide her with a supportive network that shares her beliefs, offering resources and a sense of belonging. Integrating her faith into goal setting will empower Jamie to make decisions that align with her spiritual values, fostering a sense of purpose and direction. Adapted to align with Christian beliefs, mindfulness practices will help Jamie manage stress and anxiety, promoting overall well-being. Furthermore, providing spiritual counseling that integrates Jamie's faith will offer her a space to address specific issues or challenges from a spiritual perspective. These activities will be implemented to respect and honor Jamie's spiritual beliefs, ensuring that the helping relationship is characterized by a deep respect for her spirituality and a commitment to supporting her holistic well-being. In exploring spirituality within the context of social work, Jamie's case offers profound insights that can guide future research and practice in the field. Jamie's experience highlights the complexities and challenges when spirituality intersects with social work interventions, particularly in cases involving child welfare and faith-based perspectives. One key implication for future research is the need for further study on the impact of spirituality on clients' well-being and the effectiveness of integrating spirituality into social work practice. Jamie's case demonstrates the importance of understanding and respecting clients' spiritual beliefs and the need for social workers to be culturally competent and sensitive to diverse spiritual perspectives. Future research could focus on developing guidelines and best practices for incorporating spirituality into social work interventions, particularly in cases where clients' faith plays a significant role in their lives. Another implication is the importance of collaboration between
8 social workers and faith communities. Jamie's positive experience with the Community Christian Services Agency (CCSA) highlights the value of partnerships between social service agencies and religious organizations in providing support and resources to clients. Future research could explore ways to strengthen these collaborations and enhance the effectiveness of faith-based interventions in social work practice. Additionally, Jamie's case underscores the need for ongoing education and training for social workers on addressing spiritual issues in their practice. Social workers must have the knowledge and skills to navigate sensitive spiritual matters and provide culturally competent care to clients of diverse faith backgrounds. Future research could focus on developing training programs and resources for social workers to enhance their understanding of spirituality and its relevance to social work practice. Jamie's case offers valuable insights into integrating spirituality into social work practice. Her experience highlights the importance of understanding and respecting clients' spiritual beliefs, the value of collaboration between social workers and faith communities, and the need for ongoing education and training for social workers. By incorporating these insights into future research and practice, social workers can better address the spiritual needs of their clients and provide more holistic and effective care. Jamie's case study illustrates the complex interplay between spirituality and social work practice, highlighting the importance of integrating spiritual perspectives into interventions to enhance client outcomes. Jamie's experience underscores the need for social workers to be culturally competent, respectful, and sensitive to clients' spiritual beliefs and practices. Her journey also emphasizes the significance of collaboration between social workers and faith communities in providing holistic support to clients. The implications for future research and practice in social work are profound. There is a clear need for further study on the impact of
9 spirituality on clients' well-being and the effectiveness of integrating spirituality into social work interventions. Future research could focus on developing guidelines and best practices for incorporating spirituality into social work practice, particularly in cases where clients' faith plays a significant role in their lives. The importance of collaboration between social workers and faith communities must be considered. Jamie's positive experience with the Community Christian Services Agency (CCSA) demonstrates the value of partnerships between social service agencies and religious organizations in providing support and resources to clients. Future research could explore ways to strengthen these collaborations and enhance the effectiveness of faith-based interventions in social work practice. Jamie's case highlights the need for ongoing education and training for social workers on addressing spiritual issues in their practice. Social workers must have the knowledge and skills to navigate sensitive spiritual matters and provide culturally competent care to clients of diverse faith backgrounds. Future research could focus on developing training programs and resources for social workers to enhance their understanding of spirituality and its relevance to social work practice. In exploring the intersection of spirituality and social work practice, the case of Jamie, a Christian mother facing challenges related to her faith, exemplifies the importance of integrating spirituality into social work interventions while adhering to the NASW Code of Ethics. Jamie's journey reflects a deep connection to her Christian faith, which has evolved. Despite a childhood filled with traditions and prayers, she only truly embraced Christianity in adulthood, finding solace in the teachings of Jesus and the Bible. However, her faith has been challenged by past trauma and the recent investigation by the County of San Diego into alleged neglect involving her children. This investigation has highlighted the need for cultural competence in social work practice, particularly when addressing clients' spiritual beliefs. Jamie's experiences with the
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10 County of San Diego, lacking in cultural sensitivity, have underscored the importance of understanding and respecting her spiritual perspective. Conversely, her interactions with the Community Christian Services Agency (CCSA) have been more supportive, emphasizing non-
judgmental viewpoints and providing resources that align with her beliefs. The NASW Code of Ethics guides social workers in addressing clients' spiritual needs. Principle 1.02 states that social workers should respect clients' dignity and worth, including their spiritual beliefs. By respecting Jamie's Christian faith, social workers can uphold this principle. Principle 1.05 emphasizes the importance of cultural competence, which includes understanding clients' spiritual backgrounds (National Association of Social Workers, 2021). Jamie's case demonstrates the need for social workers to be culturally competent in addressing clients' spiritual beliefs. Looking ahead, it is essential for social work research and practice to continue exploring the role of spirituality in enhancing interventions and improving client outcomes. By aligning practice with ethical principles and respecting clients' spiritual diversity, social workers can provide more holistic and culturally competent care, ultimately promoting the well-being of individuals like Jamie. As social workers, our primary responsibility is to promote the well-being of our clients. This means ensuring their needs are met and receiving the support and assistance necessary for their health and happiness. In Jamie's case, we must respect and integrate her spiritual beliefs into her treatment plan. By doing so, we can help her feel supported and understood, which is essential for her well-being. Social workers must strive to challenge social injustice. In Jamie's situation, this may involve advocating for cultural competence and understanding in child welfare investigations. We must work to ensure that all individuals are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of their background or beliefs.
11 Overall, by adhering to these ethical principles, we can provide the best possible care for our clients and work to create a more just and equitable society for all. In conclusion, Jamie's case offers valuable insights into integrating spirituality into social work practice. Her experience demonstrates the importance of understanding and respecting clients' spiritual beliefs, the value of collaboration between social workers and faith communities, and the need for ongoing education and training for social workers. By incorporating these insights into future research and practice, social workers can better address the spiritual needs of their clients and provide more holistic and effective care. Spirituality is a broadly needed aid for individuals, families, and communities. Organizations should be versed in faith and understand how to obtain and give clients. Resources are required and should be researched accordingly; the NASW code is there to keep bias out and keep clients safe and protected. Social workers should view and be aware of their own emotions to create a better understanding of their clients. Adhering to the methods and principles will ensure that the standards are held, and the proper care is provided for clients like Jamie, creating growth and guiding individuals toward a positive life. Healing can only be corrected if social workers are aligned with the client's best interest.
12 CCSA –
Providing transitional services to those in need. (n.d.). Retrieved February 23, 2024, from https://www.ccsasandiego.org/ Dein, S. (2010, January 10). Religion, Spirituality, and Mental Health. Psychiatric Times; MJH Life Sciences. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/religion-spirituality-and-
mental-health Harris, K. M., Edlund, M. J., & Larson, S. L. (2006). Religious Involvement and the Use of Mental Health Care. Health Services Research, 41(2), 395
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410. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-6773.2006.00500.x Johnson, M., Hacker, A., Hill, M., & Patel, E. (2023, June 21). Where Religious Identity Fits into Your DEI Strategy. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2023/06/where-religious-identity-fits-into-your-dei-strategy Marketing. (2023, July 31). The Link Between Psychological Safety and Speaking Up. Syntrio. https://www.syntrio.com/blog/the-link-between-psychological-safety-and-
speaking-up/
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13 National Association of Social Workers. (2021). Code of Ethics. National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-
EthicsEnglish Pattoni, L. (2012, May 1). Strengths-based Approaches for Working with Individuals. IRISS. https://www.iriss.org.uk/resources/insights/strengths-based-approaches-working-
individuals Team, therapist com. (2022, April 27). Religious trauma: Signs, symptoms, causes, and treatment. Therapist.com. https://therapist.com/trauma/religious-
trauma/#:~:text=What%20is%20religious%20trauma%3F