Incorporating Spirituality and Religion Into the Treatment of African American Clients

Abstract

This article discusses the process of incorporating spirituality and religion into the treatment of African American clients. It addresses religious diversity within the African American community. The roles of spirituality and religion as survival and coping mechanisms for overcoming racism, adversity, and loss are emphasized. The cases presented in this article discuss religious and spiritual issues of African American clients at different life cycle stages and are illustrative of the presenting problems encountered by counseling psychologists in a variety of mental health settings including counseling centers, clinics, hospitals, community agencies, and private practices. Although extensive research on the role of religion and spirituality in the lives of African Americans is now available, this article makes an important contribution to the literature and to practicing counseling psychologists by providing detailed case examples, particularly those that illustrate the application of these issues in cross-cultural treatment.