Volume_7_Issue_2_Digest

3 TPC Digest 3 | TPC Digest Among other results, an analysis of variance revealed differences among religious affiliation groups (Protestant Christian, Catholic, Other Religious Affiliation and No Religious Affiliation). Notably, when LGB-affirmative counseling competence was compared across religious affiliation groups, those in the Other Religious Affiliation group had significantly higher scores than the Protestant Christian and Catholic groups. In addition, the Protestant Christian group had significantly lower LGB-affirmative counseling competence than those in the No Religious Affiliation group. The results indicate that counselor religiosity and spirituality are each significant predictors of LGB-affirmative counselor competence, but in opposing directions. Spirituality is associated with higher levels of LGB-affirmative counseling competence, whereas religiosity is associated with lower levels. In this study, self-identified religiosity was assessed as the degree of involvement in one’s religion and engagement in religious practices. The researcher did not examine the specific nature of participants’ religious beliefs; therefore, no conclusions may be drawn about particular religious groups, as there may be wide variation in beliefs within those groups. However, results suggest that counselor spirituality does seem to support LGB-affirmative dispositions and warrants further study. Counselors are encouraged to self- reflect on spiritual and religious values, consider how they may be congruent with LGB-affirmative counseling, and develop a deeper understanding of the complex ideas and beliefs that are important to their religious and spiritual selves. Laura Boyd Farmer is an Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech University. Correspondence can be addressed to Laura Farmer, 1750 Kraft Drive, Suite 2004, Blacksburg, VA 24061, lbfarmer@vt.edu . Read full article and references: Farmer, L. B. (2017). An examination of counselors’ religiosity, spirituality, and lesbian-, gay-, and bisexual-affirmative counselor competence. The Professional Counselor , 7 , 114–128. doi : 10.15241/lbf.7.2.114 3 |