SOCW6333 WK7 Walden Spiritual Intervention Discussion
SOCW6333 WK7 Walden Spiritual Intervention Discussion
Due 04/13/2019
Discussion 2 Responses from Peers (Please us 2 APA references which were already supplied from orinial posts)
Respond by Day 6 to at least two of your colleagues’ postings. Be sure to respond to a colleague who chose at least one different area than you did. Respond in one or more of the following ways:
- Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
- Expand on your colleague’s posting.
Response from Nicole K,
Spiritual Interventions-Personal
Hull, Suarez and Hartman (2016) discuss how the use of a spiritual autobiography or genogram is helpful in understanding ones’ own spiritual histories. Using this intervention would assist the individuals’ personal health in preventing vicarious trauma (VT) by allowing for a supervisor to present feedback. Hull et al. (2016) reported that supervision is the time when a spiritual genogram should be completed because it allows for discussion and evaluation/insights from the supervisor. This is a great intervention strategy for prevention/treatment of VT in the personal area. For example, a supervisee who is not aware of their spiritual history may not even know how to address his/her client’s culture/spirituality. Using the genogram and discussion with a supervisor will allow for the supervisee to understand his/her personal spirituality and its’ strengths. Understanding the strengths of one’s personal spirituality will aid in preventing VT.
Spiritual Interventions-Professional
Creating a toolbox with specific interventions related to spiritual/religious practices is a way to prevent VT. For example, referring clients to interventions like spiritual journaling, meditation and mindfulness are all spiritual based interventions. The individual grows professionally by creating this toolbox for clients because he/she learns about each intervention prior to placing it in the toolbox. This allows for the individual to learn and gain insight on different spiritual practices and their effects. If the social worker has insight, perhaps he/she may use some of these tools to prevent or treat VT.
Spiritual Interventions-Organizational
Hull et al. (2016) reported that having a resource list of spiritual leaders, programs and services is helpful to clients and staff. Creating and dispersing this list of resources ensures that clients and staff are being provided with ethical/competent care (Hull et al., 2016). For example, a client comes into shelter and is looking to explore his/her spirituality to find solace/peace. The social workers at the agency have been busy networking and building connections with the spiritual options of the surrounding areas. The client feels confused and that no one will help him/her, then the social worker provides a list of spiritual resources. Along with this list, the social worker informs the client about the resources from first-hand experience. The list and experience from the social worker provide the client with a positive view of the organization.
Reference
Hull, C. E., Suarez, E. C., & Hartman, D. (2016). Developing Spiritual Competencies in
Counseling: A Guide for Supervisors. Counseling & Values, 61(1), 111–126. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1002/cvj…
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Response to Nicole C
Spiritual intervention strategy for the prevention or treatment of vicarious trauma
Personal intervention strategies for the prevention of vicarious trauma using a spiritual frame would be to begin to practice mindfulness and meditation (Wang, Strosky, & Fletes, 2014). Although theses concepts are not “religious” per se, they allow a person who is practicing them to realign with themselves and the world around them, help clear away some of the negative reactions we have to stressors, and has both physical and mental benefits (Helpguide.org, 2019). By taking time in the morning, a break during work, or even as a way to relax before bed in the evening, using mindfulness/meditation can help you develop a “buffer” against vicarious trauma (Pack, 2014).
Professionally, many people see spirituality as a way to work “towards the good of humanity” (Pack, 2014, p 25). An intervention strategy for the professional sphere would be to create an environment within our professional workplace where we support each other, respect each other, and are open and non-judgmental towards those of a different or no faith (Hull, Suarez, & Hartman, 2016; Manning-Jones, de Terte, & Stephens, 2015; Wang et al., 2014). Recognizing when we ourselves are experiencing vicarious post traumatic growth as we are working to help others can also boost our spirituality and our sense that the world is a good place and that we are helping to heal others (Manning-Jones et al., 2015). There are many people in my office who are religious/spiritual and who turn to their beliefs in times that they are struggling with what we do and deal with. Although I do not share in what they believe, I think it is important to recognize their beliefs and how they are helping them through the hard times. We are open with each other and make a concentrated effort to not judge or condemn anyone for what they think. It makes it so that we all feel comfortable being open and honest with one another and helps to build a good support system for us all.
Organizations can help with spiritual intervention strategies by creating policies that promote a good work/life balance (Wang et al., 2014). People should be encouraged to take time off as needed, pursue opportunities for varied positions and professional roles, and provide opportunities for relevant education and training of their employees on vicarious trauma (Wang et al., 2014).
References
Helpguide.org. (2019, March 21). Benefits of mindfulness. Retrieved from https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mind…
Hull, C. E., Suarez, E. C., & Hartman, D. (2016). Developing spiritual competencies in counseling: A guide for supervisors. Counseling and Values, 61(1), 111-126. doi:10.1002/cvj.12029
Manning-Jones, S., de Terte, I., & Stephens, C. (2015). Vicarious posttraumatic growth: A systematic literature review. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5(2), 125-139.doi:10.5502/ijw.v5i2.8
Pack, M. (2014). Vicarious resilience: A multilayered model of stress and trauma. Affilia-Journal of Women and Social Work, 29(1), 18-29. doi:10.1177/0886109913510088
Wang, D. C., Strosky, D., & Fletes, A. (2014). Secondary and vicarious trauma: Implications for faith and clinical practice. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 33(3), 281-286. Retrieved from Walden Library databases.
