Edna is a 65-year-old woman who is coming to counseling at the urging of her sister, who is worried about her. Edna's son James committed suicide five months earlier. In addition to expressing profound grief and guilt, Edna asserts that she knows her son is in hell for committing suicide. She states that she is certain of this because her faith teaches that suicide is a mortal sin.

• What will be the biggest challenges for you in working within Edna's beliefs?
• How would you demonstrate respect for her religious views in counseling her?
• How might Edna's religious beliefs serve as a potential source of strength and resilience in a manner that is helpful to your work?