In the course Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice The Heart of Helping Edward R. Canda, Ph.D.and Leola Dyrud Furman, Ph.D. offer heartfelt information to all clinicians interested in the ethical application of Spirituality into the fabric of people helping. The text presents an integrated framework for dealing with the issues that professional helpers face in integrating spirituality.

Designed for classroom use and as a reference for social workers already in the field, the book is insightful as well as practical in its presentation of the rich variety of religious and spiritual concerns facing individuals, families, and communities. The authors explore existentialist, transpersonal, and holistic systems theories with Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Judaic, and Shamanistic traditions of helping.

Remember, if you order the book for this course, order the first edition (1999).

Case studies, practical examples, insights from a national survey of social workers, and learning exercises support professional and personal growth. Each chapter closes with directed exercises that provide the clinician an opportunity to make personal applications in their own lives and clinical practices.

Educational Objectives

• Clinicians will be able to :
• Identify the primary mission and core values in the social work profession
• Identify the transemic approach to defining spirituality
• Identify the top descriptors used for Religion, Spirituality and Faith
• Identify social work implications within ethnic and spiritual diversity
• Understanding the implications of Zen Buddhism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Shamanism, Transpersonalism and Existentialism core beliefs on social work service
• Identify the principles and activities for spiritually sensitive administration
• Identify Erickson’s perspectives on spiritual development emerging throughout the life cycle
• Identify Fowler’s perspectives on spiritual development emerging throughout the life cycle
• Identify the ethical conditions for determining when and which spiritual activities are appropriate

Syllabus / Course Instructions

• The Course consists of reading the selected book, successfully completing an online posttest and filling out a course evaluation.
• The book is not included. It must be purchased separately. We have supplied a link to Amazon.com for your convenience.
• Purchasing your course will give you access to both a printable copy of the test and an online version. Print the test to use as a companion as you read the book and answer the questions.
• You cannot exit the online test once you begin, so have your answers available.

Additional Resources On This Site for CE

• A Spiritual Strategy for Counseling and Psychotherapy
  by P. Scott Richards, PhD, Allen E. Bergin, PhD: 9 CE Credits
• Addiction and Grace
  by Gerald G. May, M.D.: 8 CE Credits
• Spiritual Assessment: Handbook for Helping Professionals
  by David R. Hodge: 4 CE Credits
• The Strengths Perspective in Social Work Practice (Fifth Edition)
  by Dennis Saleebey: 8 CE Credits
• Spiritual Approaches in the Treatment of Women with Eating Disorders
  by P. Scott Richards, PhD, Randy K. Hardman, PhD, Michael E. Berrett, PhD: 9 CE Credits
• Integrating Spirituality Into Treatment: Resources for Practitioners
  Edited by William R. Miller: 11 CE Credits

Additional Resources Not On This Site

• Visit Dr. Edward Canda’s Home Page www.socwel.ku.edu/canda
• Canda, E. (1999). Spiritually Sensitive Social Work: Key Concepts and Ideals. Journal of Social Work Theory and Practice, Vol. 1, Issue 1 Pg 1-15 Click here to see abstract.
• Canda, E. , & Nakashima, M. , & Burgess, V. , & Russel, R. , & Barfield, S. (2003). Spiritual diversity in social work: A comprehensive bibliography with annotations, second edition. Council on Social Work Education.
• Canda, Edwards R. & Furman, Dyrud Leola,(1999, 2003), Spiritual Diversity in Social Work Practice, The Heart of Helping, New York: Free Press
• Association of Social Work Boards www.aswb.org

Bio: Edward R. Canda, Ph.D. and Leola Dyrud Furman, Ph.D.

Edward R. Canda
Edward R. Canda received his Bachelors of Art in Anthropology from Kent State University. His focus was on anthropology of religions, art and art history, and interdisciplinary studies. He went to Seoul Korea for a Graduate Fellow in East Asian Philosophy after completing his undergraduate work. He earned a M.A. in Religious Studies, at University of Denver. He received his M.S.W. and PhD in Social Welfare at Ohio State University. Dr. Canda is the Chairperson of the PhD program in the School of Social Welfare at the University of Kansas, Lawrence, and Kansas.
Dr. Canda has stated, “I am committed to promoting ways that people of diverse religious and non-religious spiritual perspectives can understand each other and cooperate in order to encourage peace and justice for all people and all beings.”

Leola Dyrud Furman
Leola Dyrud Furman, MSW, PhD is an Associate Professor Emeritus in Social Work at the University of North Dakota, and the director and the principal investigator of the International Study of Religion and Spirituality in Social Work Practice.