Space for Cultural and Spiritual Experiences in Social Work Education and Clinical Training

Abstract

In general education, European American values stand as the unacknowledged norm and are perceived as being culturally neutral or culture free. By recognizing European American culture and spirituality as one of many diversities, social work students may better identify biased values and expectations inherent in the traditional monocultural and monospiritual approach. By providing space for European American culture and spirituality in social work education, among many others, intersubjective interactions become possible. While recognizing the increasing needs of multicultural/multispiritual heritage populations, in this article, the author reexamines cultural and spiritual competencies, focusing on relational issues that are not currently emphasized enough because of a strong conceptual association of competency with knowledge and skills-based practices.

Keywords:

• social work education
• clinical training
• culture
• spirituality