%0 Journal Article
%T Spiritual Counseling Program For Children with Anxiety Disorders: A multi
%A Samta P. Pandya
%J Journal of Pastoral Care & Counseling
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/1542305018761631
%X This article reports on a multi-city two-year long experiment on the effect of a spiritual counseling program (SCP) on children diagnosed with anxiety disorders. The two-year customized SCP was conducted with 1238 children from 20 private schools in five cities across five countries, with an equal number in a control group. Results showed that post-treatment self-reported and counselor-tested anxiety outcome measure scores were lower for the treatment group. Girls, children from more affluent cities, middle-class children, and those who had one stay-at-home parent and no siblings showed reduced anxiety disorders post-treatment. Children who voluntarily attended more SCP rounds than those prescribed and those who regularly self-practiced also showed lower anxiety symptoms post-treatment. Child-focused spiritual counseling intervention comprising components of connection with God within, recognizing and annihilating fear through introspection and breath control, stilling, centering, and consciousness seemed effective. Socio-cultural factors, parental involvement, and childĄ¯s own engagement with the treatment were significant determinants of effectiveness
%K Spiritual counseling
%K spiritual counseling program
%K children
%K anxiety disorders
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1542305018761631