Spirituality in counselling : assisting counsellors and the depressed : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy, in Social Policy and Social Work at Massey University

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorStewart, Bruce William
dc.date.accessioned2014-11-04T03:07:36Z
dc.date.available2014-11-04T03:07:36Z
dc.date.issued1999
dc.description.abstractThis study qualitatively explored the views of six people who use spirituality in their counselling work with the depressed. These findings were compared to the counselling literature on spirituality and a theoretical framework developed for this research. There are indications that spirituality in counselling is helpful in alleviating depression, as seen through the literature and through the reports from participants. However, this was more strongly supported in the literature than with the participants. Empowerment, belonging and universal sacredness emerged as helpful conceptualisations for counsellors who wish to incorporate spirituality in their work with depressed clients. In addition, spirituality assisted the counsellors personally and enhanced their practice. Increased counsellor awareness of their spiritual beliefs and values in counselling was found beneficial to counsellors working with depressed clients. This helps counsellors to become less vulnerable to imposing their views on the client, which can reduce their ability to help. The research demonstrated that a healthy spirituality might reduce vulnerability to depression while conditions that create vulnerability to depression may also reduce spirituality's capacity to enhance meaning and purpose in life. The depressed also suffer from powerlessness, isolation, and devaluation that can be alleviated through spirituality in counselling. This study further identified that in certain circumstances spirituality was not helpful and that some barriers existed for counsellors in using it in their work. On balance, the study found encouragement to integrate spirituality into counselling work for depression.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10179/5819
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherMassey Universityen_US
dc.rightsThe Authoren_US
dc.subjectCounselingen_US
dc.subjectPsychologyen_US
dc.subjectReligionen_US
dc.titleSpirituality in counselling : assisting counsellors and the depressed : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy, in Social Policy and Social Work at Massey Universityen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
massey.contributor.authorBruce William Stewarten_US
thesis.degree.disciplineSocial Policy and Social Worken_US
thesis.degree.grantorMassey Universityen_US
thesis.degree.levelMastersen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Philosophy (M. Phil.)en_US
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
Thumbnail Image
Name:
01_front.pdf
Size:
821.33 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
Thumbnail Image
Name:
02_whole.pdf
Size:
31.41 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
804 B
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Theses and Dissertations