A spiritual strategy for counseling and psychotherapy.Ethical and Process Issues and Guidelines.
Abstract
Psychotherapists who use a theistic, spiritual strategy face a number of potentially difficult ethical questions and challenges. Engaging in dual relationships (religious and professional), displacing or usurping religious authority, imposing religious values on clients, violating work setting (church-state) boundaries, and practicing outside the boundaries of professional competence have been cited as potential ethical pitfalls for such therapists (Bergin, Payne, & Richards, 1996; Lomax, Karff, & McKenny, 2002; P.S. Richards & Potts, 1995b; Tan, 1994, 2003; Tjelveit, 1986, 1999; Yarhouse & VanOrman, 1999; Younggren, 1993). We recognize that such dangers exist, but maintain that therapists can take steps to minimize and avoid them. In this chapter we discuss each of these ethical dilemmas and provide a checklist of recommendations for avoiding problems in each area. Throughout this chapter we also present a number of ethical dilemma cases to illustrate the principles and to stimulate reflection and critical analysis. We also offer process guidelines concerning when and how it may be appropriate to implement spiritual interventions in psychological treatment, along with when they may be contraindicated. The guidelines and suggestions offered in this chapter are for psychologists and other mental health professionals, not for pastoral counselors or clergy. Although clergy members may find some of these perspectives useful, we acknowledge their right to define their own ethical and process guidelines. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)