Overview:
The impact of spiritual and religious concerns on the process of counseling has been gaining significant attention in both research and practice. This workshop is designed to support both personal and professional reflection in relation to professional standards of practice regarding spirituality and religion in clinical work.
A discussion of the terms “religion” and “spirituality” will be followed by explorations of potential ethical issues, assessment, cultural variance, developmental factors, transformational experiences, and the role of counselors play in the process. We will also examine definitions of “spiritual bypassing, spiritual emergence, and spiritual emergencies”.
Participants will be encouraged, as recommended by standards, to explore their own spiritual and religious journey’s. Beyond theory, this course invites you to embark on a personal exploration. Aligning with professional standards, you’ll engage in introspection of your own spiritual and religious journey. Recommendations for further study and growth await, ensuring your continuous evolution in this vital domain.
As we conclude, we’ll peek into the future – examining the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on this facet of practice. Enrich your skills, broaden your perspective, and embrace the transformative potential of spirituality and religion in counseling.
Join John in “Integrating Your Client’s Spirituality in Your Counseling Practice,” and unlock the wisdom to navigate the complexities of spirituality, religion, and counseling with grace and expertise.
Objectives:
- Discuss the importance of self-reflection in relation to practice in this area.
- Explain the standards of practice regarding spirituality and religion in the practice.
- Navigate potential ethical complexities with confidence, armed with insights to ensure ethically sound practices in the realm of spirituality and religion.
- Embrace cultural diversity as you learn to address the intricacies of spirituality and religion within various contexts.
- Participants will gain confidence in working with spiritual and religious issues as presented by the people we serve.
Course materials are only available to enrolled students.
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Dr. John Yasenchak, LCPC, LADC
Dr. John Yasenchak, Ed.D., LCPC, LADC, is a distinguished member of the contributing faculty at Walden University's School of Counseling. With a diverse academic background, he has held positions such as Assistant Professor for Graduate Counseling at Husson University, adjunct faculty at the University of Maine, and philosophy instructor at Loyola Baltimore. Throughout his career, John has significantly contributed to various professional associations, including roles as Clinical Director for the Penobscot Indian Nation, President of the Maine Counseling Association, and Chair of the North Atlantic Region American Counseling Association. His extensive knowledge, spanning philosophy, theological studies, and more, is reflected in his current role on the editorial board of Counseling and Values, an Association for Spirituality, Ethical, Religious, and Values Issues in Counseling publication. John's passion for learning is evident through his studies with institutions such as Bhaktivedanta College and the Oxford Center for Hindu Studies, as well as his collaboration with a range of teachers. Over his impressive career spanning nearly four decades, he has made significant contributions to the addictions and mental health field, both through direct service and clinician training. John is recognized for his expertise in areas like spirituality and religion in counseling, digital ethics and AI, and Yoga as a complementary approach to treatment. His dedication to advancing the field of counseling and his wide-ranging contributions make him a notable figure in the industry.
National Approvals
eCare BHI, as the accredited and approved sponsor, maintains responsibility for all the programs and must abide by each board’s continuing education guidelines.

Professional Counselors — The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute has been approved by NBCC as an approved Continuing Education Provider. ACEP No. 6703. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC are clearly identified. E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Addiction Professionals — NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute is officially on file with NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC) as an Approved Education Provider. They are formally known as NAADAC Provider #139138. Please note that E care Behavioral Health Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the program.

Social Workers — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
E Care Behavioral Health Institute, #1706, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. E Care Behavioral Health Institute maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 06-03-2020 – 06-03-2026.

CE Broker
CE Broker is a continuing education tracking system in which licensees track their compliance and report their completed CE hours credit (CE Broker Tracking #50-33336)
State Approvals
States that Accept ASWB-ACE Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland |
Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee |
Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
Wyoming |
States that Accepts NBCC Approved Courses: |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut |
Delaware | District Of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Indiana |
Iowa | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Missouri | New Hampshire | New Jersey |
New Mexico | Ohio | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota |
Tennessee | Texas | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | Wisconsin |
- Nevada CPC’s and MFT’s accept ASWB-approved training
- North Dakota Board Of Counselor Examiners LAPC and LAPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Rhode Island Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council LPC and LPCS accept ASWB approved training
- Utah Division of Professional Licensing – CMHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Washington State Department of Mental Health MHC’s accept ASWB approved training
- Wisconsin Council on Mental Health LPCS accepts ASWB-approved training
States that Accept NAADAC Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | Delaware | Hawaii | Indiana |
Kentucky | Maine | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Montana | Nevada | New Jersey |
New Jersey | New Mexico | North Carolina | North Dakota | Oregon | Rhode Island | Tennessee |
Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wyoming |
States that Accept APA Approved Providers |
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Alabama | Alaska | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Delaware | District Of Columbia |
Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas |
Kentucky | Louisiana | Maryland | Massachusetts | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri |
Montana | Nebraska | New Jersey | New Mexico | North Dakota | Ohio | Oklahoma |
Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Utah | Vermont | Virginia |
Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming |