Course Fee: $459 (Canadian currency)
This certificate course in Spiritual Care will equip you with the concepts and skills required for working more effectively in this crucial field. It is ideal for professionals such as nurses, doctors, teachers, pastors, social workers and counsellors – or for those with an interest in spiritual care.
Specifically, this course is designed to enrich your understanding of the following important areas: an introduction to spirituality and spiritual care; models and measures of spirituality; the role of values in spiritual care; spiritual care across the life cycle; counselling skills and spiritual care; resources for spiritual care; the power of story in wholeness and healing; and the role of ethics in spiritual care.
There is no prior knowledge or experience required to embark on this useful certificate course. You are free to commence at a time that suits your schedule – and to continue at your pace for a period of six months. Full tutor support is provided for this course.
Note: The Online Counselling College uses a person-centred approach, and Egan’s The Skilled Helper Model.
SYLLABUS
Module 1: Spirituality and Spiritual Care
Topics Studied
• What is spirituality?
• What are the key components of spirituality?
• The role of religion
• The origins of religion
• Religion versus spirituality
• What is spiritual distress?
• Spiritual care
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• List the key components of spirituality
• Suggest some similarities and differences between spirituality and religion
• Identify some causes of spiritual distress
Module 2: Measures and Models of Spirituality
Topics Studied
• Logotherapy
• The Hierarchical Model of Meaning and Satisfaction in Life
• Exploring wellness
• Stallwood and Stoll’s Conceptual Model of the Nature of Humans
• The BMSEST and the 3 H Models of Spirituality
• Spiritual intelligence
• Spiritual questionnaire
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Explain the foundational principles of logotherapy
• Summarise The BMSEST and the 3 H Models of Spirituality
• Discuss spiritual intelligence
Module 3: Spiritual Care across the Life Cycle
Topics Studied
• Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development
• Understanding life chapters
• Understanding and negotiating life transitions
• How to find meaning through rituals
• Cultural and religious rituals
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Summarise Erikson’s eight stages of psychosocial development
• Outline how a person can find meaning through rituals
• Paraphrase Hudson’s thoughts on phases, chapters and transitions
Module 4: Counselling Skills and Spiritual Care
Topics Studied
• The therapeutic relationship
• Communicating understanding
• The role of active listening
• Effective questioning
• Faulty listening
• Guidelines for effective listening
• Listening skills practice
• The use of minimal encouragers
• The use of silence
• Counselling skills practice
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Describe the essential qualities in a therapeutic relationship
• Communicate effective understanding
• Demonstrate effective listening skills
Module 5: Resources for Spiritual Care, and the Power of Story
Topics Studied
• Reviewing spiritual needs
• Resources for spiritual care
• The power of story
• Telling our own story
• Man as a living human document
• The Life of the Soul Model
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Suggest some resources for spiritual care
• Describe the Life of the Soul Model
• Outline the therapeutic use of story
Module 6: Ethics in Spiritual Care
Topics Studied
• Distinguishing between morals and ethics
• The role of values in spiritual care
• A code of ethics for spiritual care providers
• The relationship between spiritual care providers and the people they are working with
• The fundamental importance of maintaining trust
• The centrality of confidentiality
• Potential forms of abuse
• Professional boundaries with respect to touch
• Relationships with colleagues and other professionals
• Dealing with conflicts and complaints
• The need for self care
Learning Outcomes and Summary of Objectives
Upon successful completion of this learning module, the student should be able to:
• Outline issues related to the area of confidentiality
• Summarise the issues related to abuse
• List the symptoms associated with burnout
Suggested textbook for the course (to be purchased by the student)
Wattis, J., Curran, S., & Rogers, M. (2017). Spiritually competent practice in health care. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis.