THE CHALLENGES OF SPIRITUALITY IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

Abstract This paper examines how spirituality and religion can be included in social work, focusing on their potential to support clients' resilience and emotional well-being. It explores three key areas: how spirituality and religion are defined and understood in the context of social care; the challenges of introducing these topics into social worker education; and the ethical risks that can arise when spiritual beliefs are misused or oversimplified in practice. The discussion emphasizes the need for a reflective approach, where professionals are aware of their own values and remain open to the diverse spiritual perspectives of those they support. Keywords: spirituality, religion, social care, social worker education