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Abstract
Atheists and other individuals who identify as non-religious non-spiritual (NRNS) who live in geographic areas where religious affiliation is considered the norm often experience stigma in public and private spheres. Counselors who advertise their religious affiliation may be creating barriers for NRNS individuals seeking services and could limit the exploration of doubt in the existence of god for clients who identify as religious and spiritual. This dissertation includes a call to the counseling profession that highlights the systemic barriers experienced by NRNS individuals that includes specific recommendations for individual counselors, counselor educators, and counseling organizations. A phenomenological study highlights the experience of NRNS individuals in the deep south of the United States with the highest rates of religious affiliation also known as the Bible Belt. The experience of counseling for folks who identify as atheist and other NRNS identities in this region showed that frequently counselors include religion in their treatment, and that this is unwelcomed for NRNS individuals. Also included is a review of the experience of conducting the study by the researcher who himself identifies as atheist, containing reflections on how the study impacted his growth,as well as his thoughts regarding the role that religion should have in the counseling profession.