RELIGIOUS ORIENTATION AND MENTAL HEALTH

A number of previous studies have underscored the issue of accommodating religious clients in secular counseling settings. However, there have been few studies that have methodically researched whether religious orientation is associated with client preference for the inclusion of a religious module in the counseling process. Available data appears to indicate that there is a lack of sensitivity among mental health professionals regarding religious orientation and the role that religion plays in the lives of clients. This study examined client preference for the inclusion of spiritual / religious issues in the counseling process. The results, which confirm the case for inclusion, represent yet another step in disentangling the mystery of the relationship between spirituality, religion, counseling, psychological treatment, and mental health. The findings offer insight into the importance of spiritual / religious issues for clients at the clinical level and have implications for diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. There are also important implications related to counselor / therapist education and training.