For CatholicCare counsellor Prabha, having an article published in the Australian Counselling Association journal, Counselling Australia, wasn’t just a professional milestone—it was the realisation of a long-held dream.
“I remember early in my Counselling career, reading articles in the ACA journal and wishing I could write something valuable like those I was reading.”
Prabha says she was initially intrigued by the things people draw strength from and how they recover from traumatic experiences.
In her article, she explores how spirituality, when approached with care and respect, can support healing, encourage personal growth, and contribute to a more inclusive and culturally aware counselling practice.
“I see clients go through very challenging times, and the resilience in people always amazes me. To me, this hidden domain of resilience, that seems to provide people strength to cope and to thrive, is their spirituality, whether or not a client calls it that.”
Prabha noticed a gap in modern psychology practice and spirituality, and it was her view of spirituality as an inner resource for recovery and growth that motivated her to write.
“… speaking about spirituality is not outside the realm of counselling. I wanted to encourage fellow counsellors to ‘go there’ with exploring clients’ spirituality.”
Though spirituality has guided Prabha in her own life, she respects that it may not hold the same meaning for everyone. Her approach is one of gentle encouragement and inclusive care.
“My view is to ‘live and let live’, not to force our views on anyone but also not to shy away from topics that seem a little outside the current ‘norm’.”
Prabha explains that even though spirituality doesn’t always come up in conversation, it can still be felt in the way counsellors show up for their clients.
“Many of my clients do not discuss anything spiritual in their counselling sessions with me. However, my quality of presence and humanness that I hope they feel, that I care deeply about each one of them, is my spiritual obligation.
“To me, being a deeply caring human is as spiritual as it can get.”
