Why seek Spiritual Counseling?
Interfaith Minister Rvnd. Mary-Rose Engle
When matters of the heart matter most.™
54%
of U.S. adults
think of themselves as religious, down 11 points in 5 years.
75%
of Americans
say they are spiritual.
27%
of U.S. adults
now say they think of themselves as spiritual-not-religious, up 8 percentage points in 5 years.
Pew Research Center
Survey conducted between April 25 and June 4 of 2017.
People seek spiritual counseling services for a variety of reasons. You may be trying to overcome one or more difficulties related to the belief system of which you were raised. You might be seeking counseling because of spiritual questions arising as you move from one stage of life to another. Other times you may be struggling to find meaning in a life-changing event or simply trying to find meaning in day-to-day life. In some cases, you may seek support because someone close to you differs from, or challenges your personal religion or beliefs. For couples of different faiths, you may have questions related raising children in a multi-faith home. Or, you may simply seek a deeper connection to your higher self.
My approach to
Spiritual Care
As a Spiritual Care Giver and Counselor, I differ from other types of religious counselors in that I do not require you to follow any specific doctrine or spiritual belief. Instead, I honor your beliefs and assist you in developing a deeper spiritual connection based on your own personal understanding.
SERVE
Individuals who seek to better understand and deepen their knowledge of self and others, or who seek balance in life.
PROVIDE
Video conferencing and in-person counseling to support my clients during challenging times or on an ongoing basis.
Whatever transformation you’re seeking, I’m here to help you bring clarity, meaning and understanding to your journey. Let's start with a 10-minute discovery call just to get to know each other a bit.
What is Spirituality?
A simple definition of spirituality is a sense of connection to something greater than the self. Some central aspects are meaning, purpose and connectedness. Some might describe spiritually as an attempt to understand one’s nature or the meaning of ones’ existence. Spirituality is also linked to internal awareness and happiness. The practice of dance, yoga, meditation, spending time in nature are just a few ways people can connect to their higher power.
“Spirituality is a dynamic and intrinsic aspect of humanity through which persons seek ultimate meaning, purpose, and transcendence, and experience relationship to self, family, others, community, society, nature and the significant or sacred. Spirituality is expressed through beliefs, values, traditions and practices.”
Puchalski, C. M., Vitillo, R., Hull, S. K., & Reller, N. (2014). Improving the spiritual dimension of whole person care: Reaching national and international consensus. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 17(6), 642–656.
What is Spiritual Counseling?
Spiritual counseling is a form of therapy that treats a person's soul as well as mind and body by accessing the care-seeker’s belief systems and using their faith in a higher power to explore areas of conflict in life. People who believe in a guiding higher power may find spiritual counseling helps them achieve a deeper connection with their higher power.
What is Spiritual Distress?
Spiritual distress can be defined as the impaired ability to experience and integrate meaning and purpose in life through connectedness with self, others, art, music, literature, nature, and/or a power greater than oneself. (NANDA International. (2014). Nursing diagnoses: Definitions and classification 2015-2017 10th ed. Oxford: Wiley Blackwell.)
Studies show that people with relatively higher levels of spiritual distress are more likely to have pain, more likely to be depressed, be at higher suicide risk, have higher levels of clinically impactful anxiety, and have higher resting heart rates. (Spiritual Care: What it means. Why it matters in health care. E.J. Hall, B.P. Hughes, G.H. Handzo for Healthcare Chaplaincy Network, page 6)
When would I seek spiritual counseling?
You struggle with the loss of meaning and joy in your life.
You currently have what you would describe as religious or spiritual struggles.
You are experiencing a health crisis either first-hand or by a loved one that challenges your entire belief system or view of life.
Experiencing negative emotions that invoke to thoughts like
- I never thought this would happen to our family.
- Why did God let my child die?
- That drunk driver should get what he deserves for what he did to my son!
- My mom doesn’t deserve this. She’s’ the kindest person I know!
- My children have been after me to stop smoking. I guess I got what I deserved.
- Where is God now?
Any experience that changes your connection to self, others or higher power.
Does spirituality affect our well-being?
Religious or spiritual struggle compromises patients’ health and well-being. (Fitchett, G., Murphy, P. E., Kim, J., Gibbons, J. L., Cameron, J. R., & Davis, J. A. (2004).
Religious struggle: Prevalence, correlates and mental health risks in diabetic, congestive heart failure, and oncology patients. International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, 34(20), 179–196.)
Among medical rehabilitation patients, those experiencing religious or spiritual struggle had poorer rehabilitation outcomes and experienced more functional limitations. (Fitchett, G., Rybarczyk, B. D., DeMarco, G. A., & Nicholas, J. J. (1999). The role of religion in medical rehabilitation outcomes: A longitudinal study. Rehabilitation Psychology, 44(4), 333–353)