ASERVIC Competencies Series: Competency Ten

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.

For more information on the ASERVIC Spiritual Competencies, visit the ASERVIC Website.

Visit these websites for more information on the American Counseling Association or the Virginia Counselor’s Association.

Competency Ten

This week, we focus in on ASERVIC Competency Ten – the first of the fourteen competencies to review the intake process. Until now, all previous nine competencies have covered the general relationship between the client and clinician throughout the counseling process. This competency covers specifically the clinician’s goals before the first session, and during the initial intake session.

“During the intake and assessment processes…”

– ASERVIC Competency Ten

Specifically, the counseling professional seeks to understand the client’s spirituality and religious perspectives during the initial assessments and intake processes because the counseling professional understands that the spirituality and religion of the client is just as informative as other areas uncovered during assessment and intake.

Understanding the client in light of his or her spiritual perspectives can prove invaluable to working effectively with the client. Just as social, familial, and medical perspectives are necessary, so is the spiritual and religious.

Additionally, the clinician is directed to be through in this understanding. Not only should the clinician seek out information from the client during assessment and intake, but if necessary should look to other sources. With the client’s permission, perhaps a discussion with the client’s parents or religious leader would be pertinent to understanding the client’s religious or spiritual perspectives.

By prioritizing understanding of the client’s spiritual, religious, and ethical beliefs during the assessment and intake processes, the counseling professional demonstrates that he or she values the whole client.

Working with Clients

During the initial assessment process, to explore the client’s beliefs, the counseling professional might include specific questions regarding the client’s spiritual development and current religious beliefs.

This process delves into more than just the client’s religious affiliation. Consider two clients who might identify as Christians. One might be of a Catholic background and the other Pentecostal. These individuals will have drastically different ways of living out their faith, and most likely have differing core beliefs.

Noting that they are “Christians” on a paper intake assessment does not suffice.

During the initial intake, be prepared to have conversations with your clients about their spiritual and religious beliefs. If the client does not engage first, be ready to initiate this conversation as part of a thorough intake.

The counseling process begins with intake an assessment during that first session. Set the precedent that you are going to attempt to understand every aspect of your client to treat their full picture.

What Steps Have You Taken?

What opportunities have you pursued to meet ASERVIC Competency Ten?

• What additional information do you need to include on your pre-counseling assessments to better understand your clients’ spirituality, religions, and personal values?
• What are you going to change during your intake sessions to promote better understanding of your clients’ spiritual and religious beliefs?
• Which clients do you need to assess further to better understand them holistically?

If not, check out some of these resources from the American Counseling Association or get involved with ASERVIC or VA-ASERVIC via membership and events.

More from VA-ASERVIC:

Want to read from the beginning? Check out ASERVIC Competencies Series: Competency One!