Testing Options

Client Assessment Tools

See pages 17-26 of the Clinical Tools section of this website for a review of several spiritual and religious assessment tools
( http://www.geneticcounselingtoolkit.com/pdf_files/Cultural%20and%20Spiritual%20Mnemonic%20Tools%2011.06.09.pdf).

Consider the similarities and differences among these resources. Each of these tools can be adapted to suit the situation.

  •  BELIEF

  •  HOPE

  •  FICA

  •  SPIRIT

Exercise

Review the components of FICA below. Use and adapt the FICA questions to help Amanda explore Ori and Tal’s perspectives on the role of religion in health and illness and their pregnancy.

Faith or beliefs: What is your faith or belief? Do you consider yourself spiritual or religious? What things do you believe give meaning to your life?

Importance and Influence: What influence does it have on how you take care of yourself? How have your beliefs influenced your behavior during this illness? What role do your beliefs play in regaining your health?

Community: Are you part of a spiritual or religious community? Is this of support to you and how? Is there a person or group of people you really love or who are really important to you?

Address: How would you like me, your healthcare provider, to address these issues in your healthcare?

Originally referenced:

Puchalski, C., & Romer, A.L. (2000). Taking a spiritual history allows clinicians to understand patients more fully. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 3, 129-138.

The Faith Development Interview Guide provides an outline for conducting a semi-structured interview with a client to determine the importance he/she places on faith and religious beliefs. The questions included in this guide may be useful to incorporate into a counseling session to explore a client’s beliefs and experiences. The Faith Development Guide (Fowler, 1981) explores:

  • life-shaping experiences and relationships (Have you experienced losses or crises that changed your life in special ways?);

  • present values and commitments (When you have an important decision to make in your life, how do you go about deciding? Can you share an example?);

  • religion (Do you or have you had important religious experiences?); and

  • general life review (What gives your life meaning? What makes life worth living for you?).

 

Reflection Questions

  • What psychosocial questions do you currently ask to explore these types of issues? Try to recall client responses and what happened next in the counseling session.

  • Which of the questions/ tools noted above are you most likely (and which are you least likely) to integrate into your counseling sessions? Why?

 

 

 

 

 

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