Do you identify as a spiritual or religious person? How might your spiritual identity influence your social work practice—both for those clients who have a similar worldview and those who do not?
Spirituality, which may or may not include involvement with an established religion, contributes to human diversity and influences behavior. Sensitivity to and respect for a client’s spiritual dimension reflects your appreciation of diversity and the code of ethics. As you consider the potential impact of your clients’ spirituality on their perspectives and behavior, you must also consider how your own spirituality might influence interactions with a client.
For this Discussion, you examine the potential effect of your spiritual views on social work practice and share strategies for being spiritually aware.