Awa Jangha, Ph.D., assistant professor of counselor education at Seminary of the Southwest, was recently recognized nationally for her leadership in advancing ethical and culturally responsive counseling practices.
At the annual virtual conference of the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC), Jangha received the organization’s Meritorious Award in recognition of her leadership as chair of the Spiritual and Religious Competencies Task Force, which revised the profession’s foundational Spiritual and Religious Competencies into the new 2025 Spiritual and Religious Best Practices.
Jangha served as lead author and chair of the task force from January 2024 through June 2025, guiding a collaborative, national effort to update the standards that help counselors ethically and effectively engage with clients when spiritual or religious concerns arise as part of the therapeutic process.
The revised Best Practices build upon the original 2009 competencies while emphasizing cultural humility, intersectionality, and greater clarity for counseling professionals. The updated framework also includes expanded resources to support counselors as they integrate spiritual and religious considerations into clinical practice.
“I am proud to have been part of this crucial work that emphasized cultural humility, intersectionality, and clarity within the revision process along with provision of resources to support use of the best practices,” Jangha said.
The impact of the task force’s work continues to grow. Following completion of the revision, Jangha presented on the new Best Practices at professional conferences and participated in a podcast discussing their development and significance. The task force also received confirmation that an article documenting the revision process has been accepted for publication in Counseling and Values, further contributing to scholarship in the field.
At Seminary of the Southwest, Jangha brings this national leadership directly into the classroom. She teaches Spiritual Integration in Counseling and Ministry, a course centered on the Spiritual and Religious Best Practices, preparing future counselors to thoughtfully and ethically integrate clients’ spiritual and religious identities into clinical care. The principles of the Best Practices are also woven throughout Southwest’s counseling curriculum as part of the seminary’s commitment to integrating spirituality across counselor education.
Jangha’s national recognition reflects Southwest’s ongoing commitment to preparing counselors who are equipped to serve the whole person with cultural responsiveness, ethical integrity, and compassionate care. Through her leadership, Southwest students benefit from learning directly from a scholar helping shape the future of counselor education and professional practice.
