Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Exploring the Intersections of Religion and Spirituality with Race-Ethnicity and Gender in Counseling

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Book cover Handbook of Race-Ethnicity and Gender in Psychology

Abstract

This chapter is based on multicultural counseling principles (Sue & Sue, Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice. Wiley, 2008), on spiritual competencies (Savage & Armstrong, Developing competency in spiritual and religious aspects of counseling. In: Handbook of multicultural counseling competencies. Wiley, 2010) and the work of Cole (American Psychologist, 64(3): 170–180, 2009), and on intersectionality. Zinnbauer and Pargament (Journal of Counseling and Development, 78: 162–171, 2000) suggested that there are four worldviews that mental health professionals may hold towards religious beliefs and values in counseling. The two positions that are most compatible for working with R/S issues are the constructivist who sees beliefs as socially constructed by the individual and the pluralist who recognizes a spiritual absolute with multiple interpretations. The least compatible positions are the rejectionist who is antagonistic towards religion and the exclusivist who believes in absolute religious beliefs, i.e., that his or her belief is the only right way.

“If I were really asked to define myself, I wouldn’t start with race; I wouldn’t start with blackness; I wouldn’t start with gender; I wouldn’t start with feminism. I would start with stripping down to what fundamentally informs my life, which is that I’m a seeker on the path. I think of feminism, and I think of anti-racist struggles as part of it. But where I stand spiritually is, steadfastly, on a path about love.”

—bell hooks

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adams, C., Puig, A., Baggs, A., & Wolf, C. (2011, March). Barriers to integrating religion and spirituality into counselor education: Implications for counselor practice, training and supervision. Poster session presented at the meeting of the American Counseling Association, New Orleans, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, S. R., & Hopkins, P. (1991). The feminine face of God: The unfolding of the sacred in women. New York, NY: Bantam Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ano, G. G., Mathew, E. S., & Fukuyama, M. A. (2009). Religion and spirituality. In N. A. Tiwari & A. N. Alvarez (Eds.), Asian American psychology: Current perspectives (pp. 135–151). New York, NY: Lawrence Erlbaum and Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Archives and Regional History Collections. (1963). Dr. Martin Luther King’s 1963 Western Michigan University speech found: Questions and answers. Retrieved July 7, 2011 from http://www.wmich.edu/library/archives/mlk/q-a.html

  • Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. (1995). Spirituality: A white paper issued by the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. Retrieved November 18, 2011, from http://www.pacounseling.org/whitepaper.rtf

  • Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling. (2009). Competencies for addressing spiritual and religious issues in counseling. Retrieved June 20, 2011, from http://www.aservic.org/resources/spiritual-competencies

  • Aten, J. D., McMinn, M. R., & Worthington, E. L., Jr. (2011). Spiritually oriented interventions for counseling and psychotherapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/12313-000.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Baggs, A., Wolf, C. P., Puig, A. & Fukuyama. (2011). Integrating spiritual competencies into multicultural counseling: A mixed methods course evaluation study. Poster session presented at the American Counseling Association, New Orleans, LA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bly, R. (1990). Iron John: A book about men. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Borg, M. (2001). Reading the Bible again for the first time: Taking the Bible seriously but not literally. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boyd-Franklin, N. (2003). Black families in therapy: Understanding the African American experience. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryannan, L. (1990). The men’s movement. Retrieved November 18, 2011 from http://www.homestar.org/bryannan/men.html

  • Burke, M. T., Hackney, H., Hudson, P., Miranti, J., Watts, G. A., & Epp, L. (1999). Spirituality, religion, and CACREP curriculum standard. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77(3), 251–257.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, J., Moyers, B. D., & Flowers, B. S. (1991). The power of myth. New York, NY: Anchor Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter, R. T., Helms, J. E., & Juby, H. L. (2004). The relationship between racism and racial identity for white Americans: A profile analysis. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 32(1), 2–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cashwell, C. S., & Young, J. S. (Eds.). (2011). Integrating spirituality and religion into counseling: A guide to competent practice (2nd ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cervantes, J. M., & Parham, T. A. (2005). Toward a meaningful spirituality for people of color: Lessons for the counseling practitioner. Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology, 11(1), 69–81. doi:10.1037/1099-9809.11.1.69.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Christ, C. P. (1995). Diving deep and surfacing: Women writers on spiritual quest. Boston, MA: Beacon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Clinebell, H. J. (1995). Counseling for spiritually empowered wholeness: A hope-centered approach. New York, NY: Haworth Pastoral Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • CNN. (1995). Million man march. Retrieved November 18, 2001 from http://www-cgi.cnn.com/US/9510/megamarch/march.html

  • Cole, E. R. (2009). Intersectionality and research in psychology. American Psychologist, 64(3), 170–180. doi:10.1037/a0014564.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Duran, E. (2006). Healing the soul wound: Counseling with American Indians and other native peoples. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elkins, D. N., Hedstrom, L. J., Hughes, L. L., & Leaf, J. A. (1988). Toward a humanistic-phenomenological spirituality: Definition, description, and measurement. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 28(4), 5–18. doi:10.1177/0022167888284002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Erikson, E. H. (1982). The life cycle completed: A review. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Espin, O. M. (1990). Third woman: The sexuality of Latinas. Journal of Sex Research, 27(1), 143–145.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fischer, N. (2003). Taking our places: The Buddhist path to truly growing up. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fowler, J. W. (2004). Faith development at 30: Naming the challenges of faith in a new millennium. Religious Education, 99(4), 405–421. doi:10.1080/00344080490513036.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frame, M. W., & Williams, C. B. (1996). Counseling African Americans: Integrating spirituality in therapy. Counseling and Values, 41(1), 16–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fukuyama, M. A., & Ferguson, A. D. (2000). Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people of color: Understanding cultural complexity and managing multiple oppressions. In R. M. Perez, K. A. DeBord, & K. J. Bieschke (Eds.), Handbook of counseling and psychotherapy with lesbian, gay, and bisexual clients (pp. 81–105). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fukuyama, M. A., Hernandez, C., & Robinson, S. (2007). Religious and spiritual issues. In M. G. Constantine (Ed.), Clinical practice with people of color: A guide to becoming culturally competent (pp. 212–230). New York, NY: Teachers College Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuyama, M. A., & Sevig, T. D. (1999). Integrating spirituality into multicultural counseling. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fukuyama, M. A., Siahpoush, F., & Sevig, T. D. (2005). Religion and spirituality in a cultural context. In C. S. Cashwell & J. S. Young (Eds.), Integrating spirituality and religion into counseling: A guide to competent practice (pp. 123–142). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Funderburk, J. R., & Fukuyama, M. A. (2001). Feminism, multiculturalism, and spirituality: Convergent and divergent forces in psychology. Women and Therapy, 24, 1–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallup, G., Jr., & Lindsay, D. M. (1999). Surveying the religious landscape: Trends in U.S. beliefs. Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse.

    Google Scholar 

  • Germer, C. K., Siegel, R. D., & Fulton, P. R. (2005). Mindfulness and psychotherapy. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gill, C. S., Harper, M. C., & Dailey, S. F. (2011). Understanding spiritual and religious domains. In C. S. Cashwell & J. S. Young (Eds.), Integrating spirituality and religion into counseling: A guide to competent practice (pp. 141–162). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodman, L. A., Liang, B., Helms, J. E., Latta, R. E., Sparks, E., & Weintraub, S. R. (2004). Training counseling psychologists as social justice agents: Feminist and multicultural principles in action. The Counseling Psychologist, 32(6), 793–837. doi:10.1177/0011000004268802.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gray, E. R., & Thumma, S. (2005). Gay religion. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffin, H. L. (2010). Their own receive them not: African American lesbians and gays in black churches. Louisville, KY: Pilgrim Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, J. L. (2010). Religion that heals, religion that harms: A guide for clinical practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, J. L., & Griffith, M. E. (2002). Encountering the sacred in psychotherapy: How to talk with people about their spiritual lives. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grof, S., & Grof, C. (Eds.). (1989). Spiritual emergency: When personal transformation becomes a crisis. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hage, S. M., Hopson, A., Siegel, M., Payton, G., & DeFanti, E. (2006). Multicultural training in spirituality: An interdisciplinary review. Counseling and Values, 50(3), 217–234.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (1999). Acceptance and commitment therapy: An experimental approach to behavior change (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helminiak, D. A. (2006, February). A cross-cultural model for ethically treating spiritual issues in secular psychotherapy. Workshop presented at the Southeastern Conference on Cross Cultural Issues in Counseling and Education, Savannah, GA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helms, J. E. (1990). Black and white racial identity: Theory, research, and practice. New York, NY: Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Helms, J. E. (1992). Race is a nice thing to have: A guide to being a white person or understanding the white persons in your life. Topeka, KS: Content Communications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heppner, P. P., Aegisdottir, S., Leung, S. A., Duan, C., Helms, J. E., Gerstein, L., et al. (2009). The intersection of multicultural and cross-national movements in the United States: A complementary role to promote culturally sensitive research, training, and practice. In L. H. Gerstein, P. P. Heppner, S. Aegisdottir, S. A. Leung, & K. L. Norsworthy (Eds.), International handbook of cross-cultural counseling: Cultural assumptions and practices worldwide (pp. 33–52). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hill, P. C., & Pargament, K. I. (2008). Advances in the conceptualization and measurement of religion and spirituality: Implications for physical and mental health research. American Psychologist, 58(1), 64–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, J. (1996). The soul’s code: In search of character and calling. New York, NY: Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. D., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2010). Intentional interviewing and counseling: Facilitating client development in a multicultural society (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1979). Stress reduction program. University of Massachusetts Medical School, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society. Retrieved July 7, 2011 from http://www.umassmed.edu/Content.aspx?id=41268

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2003). Mindfulness-based interventions in context: Past, present, and future. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 10(2), 144–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koenig, H. (2005). Faith and mental health: Religious resources for healing. Philadelphia, PA: Templeton Foundation Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lassiter, J. M. (2011, January). Black men who have sex with men: Reconciling Christian religion and sexual orientation. National Multicultural Conference and Summit, Seattle.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levin, J. S. (2001). God, faith, and health: Exploring the spirituality-healing connection. New York, NY: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, J. J. (n.d.). bell hooks quotes. About women’s history. Retrieved January 3, 2012 from http://womenshistory.about.com/od/quotes/a/bell_hooks.htm

  • Linehan, M. M. (1993). Cognitive behavioral treatment of borderline personality disorder. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • May, G. (2007). Addiction and grace: Love and spirituality in the healing of addictions. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGoldrick, M., Giordano, J., & Garcia-Preto, N. (2005). Ethnicity and family therapy. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moodley, R., & West, W. (Eds.). (2005). Integrating traditional healing practices into counseling and psychotherapy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morrow, S. L., & Beckstead, A. L. (2004). Conversion therapies for same-sex attracted clients in religious conflict: Context, predisposing factors, experiences, and implications for therapy. The Counseling Psychologist, 32, 641–650.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, J. E., & Williard, K. (2003). Integrating spirituality into counselor preparation: A developmental, wellness approach. Counseling and Values, 47(2), 142–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazario, A. (2003). Latino cross-cultural same sex male relationships: Issues of ethnicity, race, and other domains of influence. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, 2(2), 103–113.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Newport, F. (2000, April 21). America remains predominately Christian. Gallup News Service. Retrieved from http://www.gallup.com/poll/2974/america-remains-predominantly-christian.aspx

  • Newport, F. (2007, April 6). Just why do Americans attend church? Gallup News Service. Retrieved from http://www.gallup.com/poll/27124/Just-Why-Americans-Attend-Church.aspx

  • Newport, F. (2011, June 3). More than 9 in 10 Americans continue to believe in God. Gallup News Service. Retrieved from http://www.gallup.com/poll/147887/Americans-Continue-Believe-God.aspx

  • Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. (n.d.). Retrieved on January 7, 2012 from http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_pk.htm

  • Pargament, K. I. (1999). The psychology of religion and spirituality? Yes and no. International Journal for the Psychology of Religion, 9(1), 3–16.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pargament, K. I. (2007). Spiritually integrated psychotherapy: Understanding and addressing the sacred. New York, NY: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parham, T. A., & Parham, W. D. (2002). Understanding African American mental health: The necessity of new conceptual paradigms. In T. A. Parham (Ed.), Counseling persons of African descent: Raising the bar of practitioner competence (pp. 25–37). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Parker, W. M. (1998). Consciousness-raising: A primer for multicultural counseling. Springfield, IL: C.C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Parks, S. D. (2000). Big questions, worthy dreams: Mentoring young adults in their search for meaning, purpose, and faith. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Google Scholar 

  • Passalacqua, S., & Cervantes, J. (2008). Understanding gender and culture within the context of spirituality: Implications for counselors. Counseling and Values, 52(3), 224–239.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Plante, T. G. (2009). Spiritual practices in psychotherapy: Thirteen tools for enhancing psychological health. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/11872-000.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Puig, A., & Adams, C. (2007). Introducing spirituality into multicultural counseling. In W. M. Parker & M. A. Fukuyama (Eds.), Consciousness raising: A primer for multicultural counseling (3rd ed., pp. 181–203). Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

    Google Scholar 

  • Puig, A., & Fukuyama, M. (2008). A qualitative investigation of multicultural expressions of spirituality: Preliminary findings. Counselling and Spirituality/Counseling Et Spiritualité, 27(2), 11–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (Eds.). (2000). Handbook of psychotherapy and religious diversity. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/10347-000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richards, P. S., & Bergin, A. E. (2005). A spiritual strategy for counseling and psychotherapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, T. L., & Howard Hamilton, M. F. (2000). The convergence of race, ethnicity, and gender: Multiple identities in counseling. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rodriguez, J. (2004). Mestiza spirituality: Community, ritual, and justice. Theological Studies, 65(2), 317–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Savage, J., & Armstrong, S. (2010). Developing competency in spiritual and religious aspects of counseling. In J. A. E. Cornish, B. A. Schreier, L. I. Nadkarni, L. H. Metzger, & E. R. Rodolfa (Eds.), Handbook of multicultural counseling competencies (pp. 379–413). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sims, A. C. P. (1994). ‘Psyche’: Spirit as well as mind? British Journal of Psychiatry, 165(4), 441–446. doi:10.1192/bjp.165.4.441.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, H. (1995). The illustrated world’s religions: A guide to our wisdom traditions. San Francisco, CA: Harper San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, T. (2000). Robert Bly and the men’s movement. Retrieved November 18, 2011 from http://www.menweb.org/blysmith.htm

  • Spector, R. (2003). Cultural diversity in health and illness. Stanford, CT: Appleton & Lange.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spong, J. S. (1992). Rescuing the Bible from fundamentalism: A bishop rethinks the meaning of scripture. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D. W. (2003). Overcoming our racism: The journey to liberation. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Sue, D., & Sue, D. (2008). Counseling the culturally diverse: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swartz-Kulstad, J., & Martin, W. (2000). Culture as an essential aspect of person-environment fit. In W. E. Martin & J. L. Swartz-Kulstad (Eds.), Person-environment psychology and mental health: Assessment and intervention (pp. 169–195). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taizé. (n.d.). Retrieved November 18, 2011 from http://www.taize.fr/

  • Trimble, J. E., Helms, J. E., & Root, M. P. P. (2003). Social and psychological perspectives in ethnic and racial identity. In G. Bernal, J. E. Trimble, & F. Leong (Eds.), Handbook of racial and ethnic minority psychology, part III, social and developmental process (pp. 239–275). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Census Bureau. (2010). Population Estimates. Retrieved November 18, 2011 from http://www.census.gov/popest/states/NST-comp-chg.html

  • Warwick, L. L. (2001). Self-in-relation theory and women’s religious identity in therapy. Women and Therapy, 24(3–4), 121–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zea, M. C., Mason, M. A., & Murguía, A. (2000). Psychotherapy with members of Latino/Latina religions and spiritual traditions. In P. S. Richards & A. E. Bergin (Eds.), Handbook of psychotherapy and religious diversity (pp. 397–419). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/10347-016.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Zinnbauer, B. J., & Pargament, K. I. (2000). Working with the sacred: Four approaches to religious and spiritual issues in counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78, 162–171.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zinnbauer, B. J., Pargament, K. I., & Scott, A. B. (1999). The emerging meanings of religiousness and spirituality: Problems and prospects. Journal of Personality, 67(6), 889–919.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA

    Mary Fukuyama, Ana Puig, Cheryl Pence Wolf & Adrienne Baggs

Authors
  1. Mary Fukuyama
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Ana Puig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Cheryl Pence Wolf
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Adrienne Baggs
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mary Fukuyama .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Columbia University Teachers College, New York, USA

    Marie L. Miville

  2. Department of Human Development and Psyc, Howard University, Washington, USA

    Angela D. Ferguson

Appendices

Appendix 1 : ASERVIC Competencies

Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)

Competencies for Addressing Spiritual and Religious Issues in Counseling (2009)

Culture and Worldview

  1. 1.

    Describe the similarities and differences between spirituality and religion

  2. 2.

    Recognize that the client’s beliefs (or absence of beliefs) about spirituality and/or religion are central to his or her worldview and can influence psychosocial functioning

Counselor Self-Awareness

  1. 3.

    Actively explore one’s own attitudes, beliefs, and values about spirituality and/or religion and continuously

  2. 4.

    Evaluate the influence of his or her own spiritual and/or religious beliefs and values on the client and the counseling process

  3. 5.

    Identify the limits of one’s understanding of the client’s spiritual and/or religious perspective and be acquainted with religious and spiritual resources

Human and Spiritual Development

  1. 6.

    Describe and apply various models of spiritual and/or religious development and their relationship to human development

Communication

  1. 7.

    Respond to client communications about spirituality and/or religion with acceptance and sensitivity

  2. 8.

    Use spiritual and/or religious concepts that are consistent with the client’s spiritual and/or religious perspectives

  3. 9.

    Recognize spiritual and/or religious themes in client communication and be able to address these with the client when they are therapeutically relevant

Assessment

  1. 10.

    During the intake and assessment processes, the professional counselor strives to understand a client’s spiritual and/or religious perspective by gathering information from the client and/or other sources

Diagnosis and Treatment

  1. 11.

    When making a diagnosis, the professional counselor recognizes that the client’s spiritual and/or religious perspectives can a) enhance well-being; b) contribute to client problems; and/or c) exacerbate symptoms

  2. 12.

    Set goals with the client that are consistent with the client’s spiritual and/or religious perspectives

  3. 13.

    Modify therapeutic techniques to include a client’s spiritual and/or religious perspectives and utilize spiritual and/or religious practices as techniques when appropriate and acceptable to a client’s viewpoint

  4. 14.

    Therapeutically apply theory and current research supporting the inclusion of a client’s spiritual and/or religious perspectives and practices

Appendix 2: Additional Resources

Popular Books

  • Race and Ethnicity: Cultural Roles, Spiritual Practices and Social Challenges

  • (Crennan, 2010)—Reviews important data on race and ethnicity as it relates to culture, gender, healthcare, and spirituality.

  • This Side of Heaven: Race, Ethnicity, and Christian Faith

  • (Priest & Nieves, 2006)—A discussion of diversity in the Christian context.

  • Walkin’ the Talk: Keepin’ the Faith in Africentric Congregations

  • (Speller, 2005)—The implications for what it means to be both Black and Christian in today’s society.

  • My Soul is a Witness: African-American Women’s Spirituality

  • (Wade-Gayles, 2002)—Describes the variety of ways African-American women experience spirituality.

  • Teaching Spirits: Understanding Native American Religious Traditions

  • (Brown, 2010)—A synthesis of common themes across a variety of native cultures; how the themes connect with each culture, yet still represent the individual traditions.

  • Silent Victims: The Plight of Arab & Muslim Americans in Post 9/11 America

  • (Elaasar, 2004)—The impact of increased hostility and bias towards Arabs and Muslims and the nation of Islam after the events of 9/11.

  • Bent Rib: A Journey Through Women’s Issue in Islam

  • (Khattab, 2007)—Examines controversial issues including domestic violence, female genital mutilation, and lack of education and points out the differences between Islamic teaching and culturally influenced practices.

  • Bulletproof Faith: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Gay and Lesbian Christians

  • (Chellew-Hodge, 2008)—Exploration of the journey that gay Christians experience in the church and tips to overcome oppositions and challenges.

  • Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith

  • (Tanis, 2003)—Shares the journeys of individuals struggling with their gender identity from a cultural and religious standpoint.

Films

  • Ajami (2009)—Five stories about the religiously mixed communities of Muslims and Christians in Tel Aviv.

  • Amreeka (2009)—an immigrant single mother moves with her son to a small town in Illinois; she deals with the challenges and expectations of being Muslim in the USA.

  • Baptist’s at Our Barbecue (2004)—a Mormon park ranger reports to his new assignment in a town with 262 Mormons and 262 Baptists; his arrival has tipped the scales.

  • The Help (2011)—set in the 1960s, this story chronicles the power and oppression experienced between the African-American maids and the wealthy White families for which they worked.

  • I Can’t Think Straight (2008)—after three failed engagements and a wedding looming, a young Jordanian woman falls for a woman of a different culture, religion, and lifestyle.

  • James' Journey to Jerusalem (2003)—from a small remote village, James journeys to the Holy Land but encounters cultural problems along the way.

  • Ocean of Pearls (2008)—a young Sikh surgeon realizes the appearance of his beard and turban may threaten his success and his religious compromises have negative consequences.

  • Pariah (2011)—an African-American teenage girl struggles with her authentic gender identity and sexual orientation as it conflicts with her outspoken mother’s religious beliefs.

  • Sabah: a Love Story (2005)—A Muslim woman falls in love with a non-Muslim man which creates a clash of cultures between the families.

  • The World Unseen (2007)—Set in 1952 South Africa, the apartheid laws conflict with the cross-cultural and lesbian relationships encountered.

Documentaries

  • Crossroad (2008)—Perspectives of seeing the world through social and cultural differences, religion, and politics.

  • A Walk of Wisdom (2004)—Buddhist nun, Mai Chee Sansannee, shares her wisdom.

  • The Women’s Kingdom (2006)—Unusual to mainstream China, observe the Mosuo, an ethnic minority, which has one of the last matriarchal societies in the world.

  • Anyone and Everyone (2007)—A diverse group of parents discuss their experiences of having a son or daughter who is gay.

  • For the Bible Tells Me So (2007)—Exploration of how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community.

  • Trembling Before G-d (2001)—A look into the lives of gay and lesbian Jews who struggle with reconciling their faith and sexual orientation.

  • Through My Eyes (2009)—A look at young gay Christians who share their struggles and experiences with Christianity.

Websites

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Fukuyama, M., Puig, A., Wolf, C.P., Baggs, A. (2014). Exploring the Intersections of Religion and Spirituality with Race-Ethnicity and Gender in Counseling. In: Miville, M., Ferguson, A. (eds) Handbook of Race-Ethnicity and Gender in Psychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-8860-6_2

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation