Spiritual Counseling and Care Services in Belgium

Authors : Sümeyye Sarı, Turgay Şirin

Pages : 151-174

Doi:10.56432/tmdrd.1529014

View : 66 | Download : 46

Publication Date : 2025-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of this article is to examine the spiritual counseling and care services in Belgium. In this context, the history of spiritual counseling and care in Belgium, its areas of practice, and the challenges faced in services provided to Muslim minorities are discussed. Considering that this field is newly developing in Turkey, it is emphasized that benefiting from the experiences of countries with well-established practices is of great importance. Accordingly, the necessity of studies that will contribute to the Turkish literature on spiritual counseling and care services in Belgium is highlighted. The documentation technique was preferred in the article, and sources in Turkish, English, Dutch, and French containing information about spiritual counseling and care services in Belgium were utilized. Based on the findings, it has been determined that spiritual counselors in Belgium operate in churches, hospitals, social services, and prisons. These services play a significant role in meeting the psycho-spiritual needs of various segments of society. Additionally, it has been revealed that spiritual counseling and care services have a positive impact on individuals\\\' psychological well-being. While there are many higher education institutions in Belgium that train spiritual counselors for Christian communities, there is no higher education program for training spiritual counselors to serve the Muslim minority group. However, some universities offer certificate programs, and relevant undergraduate and postgraduate programs are available at the Brussels Faculty of Islamic Sciences, established in 2007. This situation indicates that the institutionalization of spiritual counseling and care services for Muslim immigrant communities is limited. The most fundamental issue in services for Muslim immigrants is the training of qualified spiritual counselors. Although the Belgian government has permitted the establishment of institutions in this field, solutions regarding the recognition and equivalence of diplomas issued by these institutions remain insufficient. Furthermore, the lack of adequate roles assigned to Muslim counselors, especially in hospitals, stands out as another significant issue. These deficiencies restrict the access of Muslim immigrant communities to spiritual support services. In conclusion, despite the current challenges, positive developments are being observed in this field, and it can be predicted that Muslim immigrant communities in Belgium will be able to benefit more effectively from spiritual counseling and care services in the future. These developments will contribute to making the services more inclusive and sustainable. Moreover, equality-based approaches in service delivery will enhance respect for religious diversity.
Keywords : Manevi danışmanlık ve rehberlik, Belçika, Müslüman göçmenler, Manevi danışman, Kurumsallaşma

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