ABSTRACT
Central to effective, ethical intervention in any client issue is counselor self-awareness and communication. In addition to providing tools for counselors to gain self-awareness, this chapter highlights the importance of communicating effectively with clients about spirituality in counseling. The first step in effective communication includes both initial and continuous counselor self-awareness. The need for counselors to respond to client communications, regarding the spiritual domain, with respect and appreciation, assiduously acknowledging the significance of these beliefs to the client is explained. The authors emphasize that counselors utilize concepts that are consistent with the client’s spiritual and religious beliefs, recognizing themes as they arise and addressing or using these as they become therapeutically relevant.
