| The proposed research seeks to explore, through a qualitative phenomenological study, Christian counselor's practice of surrender and the ways in which this practice may relate to their empathic responses to clients. An understanding of the meaning of surrender and any relationship to counselors' empathy will emerge from semi-structured interviews with ten Christian counselors. Data analysis will not only illuminate the meanings of the phenomena, but will allow the findings of the research to be considered within broader contexts and social work theory, practice, policy, and research. This research will contribute to the renewed interest in social work about how religious and spiritual cosmologies interact with social work's core areas of function. Research studies, such as the proposed study, hold the possibility of augmenting a rich tradition within social work to value how religion and spirituality are integral to individual, group, and community functioning. |
