Rudolf K. Sander's Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists and Pastors

Authors Hawkins and Clinton (2015) starts the text “The New Christian Counselor: A Fresh Biblical and Transformational Approach” by explaining their vision of the future of Christian counseling and remind us as counselors our role in performing our duties spiritually by helping shape us into better counselors. The authors do this throughout by explaining their definition, direction. and focus of the counseling practice in the 21st century.

Appleby, G A., & Anastas, J.W. (1998). Not just a passing phase: Social work with gay, lesbian and bisexual people (pp. 3–43, 44-75). New York: Columbia University Press.

Christian counseling is all about integrating psychology, theology and spirituality into counselor and clients lives. Psychology, Theology and Spirituality in Christian Counseling gives insight into how these three perspectives can be used to help individuals identify certain aspects of their lives that might be enhanced when the counselor includes spirituality into their counseling sessions. We also see how important it is for the counselor to be in touch with their own spirituality so that

The study that provides evidence that conversion therapy is both ineffective and harmful is provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) in a report entitled, Appropriate Therapeutic Responses to Sexual Orientation. The report concluded that, "efforts to change sexual

Upon the reveal of homosexuality in the bible, many young men confessed to their pastors that they were having homosexual feelings and from this, pastoral counseling exploded. Many pastors were relying on their psychology companions to aid in this movement, however, we begin to see an influx of literature on how to handle these sinners. During this time, pastors were trying to “cure” people of their homosexual thoughts through compassion and understanding. Ultimately, becoming heterosexual was the goal optimal goal. White unveils this novelty of Protestant sex-same behavior therapy.

Dr. Garzon's presentation on Lesbian & Gay Population addresses the American Counseling Association and Association of Marriage and Family Therapy's about the role and importance of religious identity when working with lesbian and gay clients. Both groups advocate for gay affirmative treatment, but religious identity conflicts with this treatment plan. Religion is a recognized diversity area in the professional ethics code. This could cause an ethical dilemma for many Christian counselors. I like how Stephen mentions Jeff's reminder in that counselors are not to impose their belief systems onto their clients. ACA's code of ethics calls for counseling professionals to respect their client's faith and not impose their values on their clients.

Throughout history there has been much controversy surrounding the topic of human beings sexual orientation. Whether it they are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered, people like what they like. In some cases, many people believe that they are born with certain urges that attract them to either the same or maybe even the opposite sex. The number one question that has been asked in today’s society is that if using reparative therapy is okay. Although many people believe in using this therapy, they should steer away from practicing it because it is unethical, there is no proven cure, and it often leads to an

By obtaining a Masters in Integral Counseling Psychology, I continue a lifelong commitment to help others discover their truth and overcome shame. As a gay man growing up in the 70’s and 80’s I experienced profound shame, guilt, and confusion. My personal belief systems were authored in a vacuum of isolation and fear. Throughout my life, however, I have experienced for myself the transformative power of identifying and working through shame. I wish to gain the clinical skills necessary to help people do depth transformative work.

Conversion therapy is a term used to designate an array of counseling techniques designed to effect a shift in sexual preference (Throckmorton, 2005). Reports of patients seem to show positive results from treatment, even if there is no change in sexual orientation (Slife, 2004). Those who request conversion therapy often do so because of conflict between their homosexual feelings and the culture surrounding them. Counselors who practice conversion therapy attempt to understand the cultural background of clients who have deep conflicts over sexual impulses and deeply held moral convictions. Counselors are required to inform clients of the purposes, goals, techniques, procedures, limitations and

In today’s society many disorders may arise. Some of these issues include eating disorders, anxiety, gender-identity disorders, depression, addictions, and many others. However, there is another issue that brings individuals in the counseling setting, and that is the issue of sex and sexuality. Issues stemming from sex and sexuality can arise from same-sex attraction, pornography, infidelity, hormonal issues, and/or negative, inadequate beliefs and perceptions concerning sexuality. Licensed professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, etc…, are trained and usually prepared for these types of disorders, however, certain types of counselors, licensed or not, are not trained in this area. There are various distorted views on sexuality, and these distorted views are across the board. So it begs the question are Christian counselors equipped to handle these types of disorders and many others. If so, what models do they follow in order to help an individual struggling with these issues? This critique will interview a Christian counselor/Addition specialist concerning her viewpoint on human sexuality and her personal model for decision-making in dealing with individuals who struggle in the area of sexuality and/or in any of the other aforementioned areas.

My professional and personal values remained congruent with the social justice and social advocacy mission values of CICI, and afforded me the chance to see the ethics of my mental health counseling program in action. Accordingly, my values stand as self-determination to encourage social justice and social change on behalf of my clients. It behooves me to highlight how meaningful this value subsists for me since this was one of the central purposes that inspired me to pursue a career in mental health counseling. As a gay man, I realized that the LGBTQ community needs many advocates for their rights and for society’s acceptance, especially for the LGBTQ youth of today. Therefore, I recognized that counseling was

The Number 18 on the self-assessment got my attention. This information professionally made me aware of what some may concern me of having a shortcoming. I am concern about counseling lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender clients if it has anything to do with their relationships. If the counseling is about other issues, I am fine. In that I consider same-sex relationships to be a sin, I don’t believe I would be the best counselor for them. I am thinking more about the client than myself. I believe it would be unethical for me to counsel them. I would not impose my belief on them, but I would have a hard time being authentic. I would refer them to another counselor. I would tell them I would like to refer you to someone who specializes

It is important for a counselor to first recognize the sexual attraction and be aware of these feelings. It is often the case that a counselor will ignore these feelings or dismiss them given the rather taboo nature of the counselor viewing their patient as sexually attractive (Gallagher, 2010). The lack of acknowledgement of these feelings or urges can increase the risk that they could manifest. Identifying them is the first step in ensuring that appropriate responses can be developed that will allow the counselor to maintain their ethical integrity. Once the attraction is brought into the open there are many ways in which it can be handled. However, if the attraction is not identified then this puts both the client and counselor at an increased risk for damages to one or both parties.

Another countertransference issue that may arise when counseling this couple is that this therapist is inexperienced treating lesbian couples. The Lesbian community is a minority population that this therapist has little knowledge on providing culturally competent services for. This therapist may over-think statements before doing them because of the fear to be culturally inappropriate. A stereotype that this therapist has about sexual minorities is that gender roles are binary, male and female, and even sexual minorities follow that gender binary. Because of that stereotype, this therapist might attempt to categorize the feminine and the masculine partner in the couple.

Throughout history, homosexuality--a sexual attraction that exists between members of the same sex-- has been defined as a sin, a choice, an unwanted condition, a result of being frightened by women, and a type of mental illness (Murphy, 1992). The theories surrounding homosexuality can be classified into three broad categories: (1) pathology, indicating an illness or disease; (2) immaturity, signifying an irregular psychosexual development; and (3) natural variation, indicating homosexuality occurs naturally (Drescher, 2015). Because of the beliefs and controversy surrounding homosexuality throughout history, religious practitioners and psychologists developed treatment options to cure those who displayed homosexual tendencies. The most popular type of psychological treatment developed was conversion therapy. Conversion therapy, also known as reparative therapy, is used to change someone’s gender identity or sexual orientation from homosexual to heterosexual (Haldeman, 2001). Different types of treatment options for conversion therapy include psychodynamic, behavioral, hormonal, surgical, and spiritual interventions (Murphy, 1992).