Date/Time
3 CEs
In today’s increasingly diverse clinical landscape, many clients are seeking support that honors their spiritual identity alongside their mental and emotional well-being. For clinicians, this presents a profound opportunity—and a significant ethical responsibility. Faith in Practice explores how social workers can ethically integrate spiritual dialogue and practice into therapy without violating boundaries or imposing beliefs.
This training centers on ethical dilemmas that arise when navigating spiritual topics with vulnerable populations such as aging adults, veterans clients, and trauma survivors. What do you do when a client’s spiritual beliefs are in conflict with clinical recommendations? How do you ethically support a client’s desire to include prayer or spiritual rituals in session? How can clinicians ensure cultural humility while honoring deeply personal faith expressions?
Drawing on real-world case scenarios, this interactive workshop invites participants to engage in small group discussions to analyze, debate, and ethically resolve common dilemmas. Attendees will align these conversations with both the NASW Code of Ethics and Maryland COMAR 10.42.03.03, offering practical, ethical, and spiritually respectful frameworks for care.
Participants will leave empowered with language, discernment tools, and confidence to hold sacred space for faith—without compromising clinical integrity. Ethical Codes and legal framework covered:
NASW Code of Ethics (2021)
1.02: Self-Determination; 1.03: Informed Consent; 1.07: Privacy and Confidentiality; 1.08: Access to Records; 2.02: Respect for Cultures; 3.04: Client Records
COMAR 10.42.03.03 – Standards of Practice
Cultural Competence & Client Dignity; Avoidance of Dual Relationships; Scope of Practice Limitations; Professional Boundaries; Duty to Refer When Incompetent to Serve; Documentation of Client Preferences & Beliefs;
Health Occupations §19–311: (14) Confidentiality; (18) Informed Consent; (20) Cultural Sensitivity; (21) Professional Ethics
Learning Objectives: By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Identify at least three ethical considerations for integrating spirituality in clinical work per COMAR and NASW Code of Ethics.
2. Distinguish between honoring client beliefs and crossing boundaries of religious imposition or personal bias.
3. Apply ethical decision-making models to resolve dilemmas where spiritual beliefs and clinical goals may conflict.
4. Create a spiritually inclusive clinical plan using culturally competent and ethically sound frameworks.
5. Document spiritual practices ethically in client records in accordance with COMAR standards.
Location: Virtual
Sponsored By: NASW-Maryland Chapter
Cost: $50.00 for NASW Members; $75.00 for non-members; $30.00 for retired NASW members; $20.00 for Students
For questions, email nasw.maryland@gmail.com