What is Spiritual Counseling?
Spiritual counseling is a form of mental health therapy that can have many benefits to those in need. Spiritual counselors specifically offer their counseling services to those with spiritual or religious beliefs. Their belief in a higher power is the backbone of the sessions but many topics will be or can be covered. Regardless of your own spiritual beliefs, spiritual counselors believe their counseling services are a form of health care and an important part of emotional wellness.
Spiritual counselors, otherwise known as health care professionals, must be practicing members of an official, recognized religious group. They also must acquire education requirements. They will have completed at least one unit of clinical pastoral education from an accredited program. They will also hold a bachelor’s degree from a counseling degree program and should have completed training on various topics relating to spirituality, death and dying.
Spiritual health is important for those actively practicing their religion but it can be hard to manage when life becomes difficult. Attending spiritual counseling, whether it be a private session, family therapy, grief counseling, or any other type in the full range of options can help with spiritual growth as well as personal well being.
What are the Benefits of Spiritual Counseling Benefits?
- Building Lasting Mindful Thinking
- Alienate and Reduce Stress, Depression and Anxiety
- Sustaining a New Life of Positivity
- Nurturing Peace
- Build Trust with Society
Regular counseling does a great job of solving a person’s problems by following a goal oriented plan, but it does not compare to the benefits of spiritual counseling. A psychologist works with the client on a regular basis to figure out which areas need a little help. These include more tangible matters like lack of communication skills, laziness and anger issues. While most therapists dig a little deeper and lean a little on spiritual insights, spirituality is never the focus. A spiritual counselor encompasses both spiritual practices and mental facets of life and helps a person get in sync with deep emotional longings, explain their sacred experiences and define their meaning in life. These healthcare professionals believe a person’s spiritual life is deeply intertwined with the rest of their life.
1. Building Lasting Mindful Thinking
Negative thinking happens to be a default way of thinking for most people. Its occurrence is even more adverse in the face of crises. Spiritual therapy delves into the core of the negative thoughts and progressively helps one develop a more healthy thought process. A spiritual guru awakens one’s awareness to their conscious thoughts and helps shift the mind into positivity. One powerful spiritual input is the use of positive affirmations to readjust the mind’s vibrations from low destructive thinking to uplifting intentional thoughts. Over time, self-criticism takes a back seat as the person awakens to the limitless power of inserting positive words and imagery into the mind.
2. Alienate Stress, Depression and Anxiety
A little perspective into spiritualism is enormously rewarding to understanding the cause of depression, anxiety and stress. A spiritual director mindfully brings into light a person’s immediate environmental stimulants that may be instigating the conditions. One becomes aware of the negativity stemming and the detriments arising from intentionally nurturing a negativity breeding environment. Spiritual directors’ biggest roles in such candidates are helping them understand their role in recreating negative patterns and the solution to breaking free. Intentional meditation, mantras and self-affirming words are just a few of the impactful strategies for rerouting one’s emotional and mental state to one of positivity, balance and health.
Featured Programs
3. Sustaining a New Life of Positivity
Dr. Maxwell Matz of the 1950s established that it takes approximately 21 days for old habits to disintegrate and allow the formation of new ones. Staying grounded in a new way of being is not a cake walk for almost everyone, especially one recovering from a longstanding negative habit. Spiritual counseling quiets the mind enough using meditation and mantras to rewire the brain’s need for constant stimulation. The techniques applied are extensively beneficial in building and maintaining inner peace, well-being and balance. Regular spiritual counseling helps one form a robust discipline in meditation that ultimately holistically enriches life.
4. Nurturing Peace
One thematic occurrence in people finding blockage in forging ahead in life is the inability to let go of the past. All of us are unfortunately born into a predisposition we did not choose. Some have it tougher than others. It is hanging on to the experiences that shaped our childhood that leaves us bitter and angry at the world. A spiritual counselor seeks to strengthen one’s willingness to let go of past trauma and surrender to the thought that all is possible with the right mind set. The power of surrender creates inner peace, acceptance and positivity looking forward to the future.
5. Build Trust with Society
A spiritual counselor often forms a stronger bond with the client, according a Careers in Psychology. This bond is forged around shameless openness and total acceptance. The director becomes a trusted mentor, a loving teacher and a compassionate listener. While trying to reconcile one’s view of the world, it is imperative to address the perception that society does not have nice, trustworthy people. A reliable and non-judgmental counselor builds the fundamentals of a healthy relationship and helps one open up to the world without fear of alienation. A spiritual counselor who is highly invested in one’s well-being will work relentlessly to create peace, contentment and trust.
Spiritual Counseling for a Happier Life
Spiritual guidance embodies a few universal notions such as no one is broken, but everyone needs nurturing. The benefits of spiritual counseling foster the belief that the universe conspires to do good for everyone no matter the surrounding circumstances. If you’re interested in spiritual counseling for yourself or looking to pursue a career in the field, the American Institute of Health Care Professionals has more information here. Best of luck on your spiritual counseling journey!
Related Resources:
What is a Spiritual Counselor?