Christian Counseling Ethics

A client raises spiritual questions. Can a Christian therapist working in a government agency talk with a client about faith?A young couple with two children asks a Christian counselor to help them negotiate an end to their marriage. What responsibility does the counselor have to try to repair the relationship?A youth group member confidentially reveals to the pastor that he is taking drugs. Should the pastor tell the boy's parents?A counselor who teaches a college course has a client show upfor class. What should she do?These are just a few of the complex dilemmas that therapists, counselors and pastors face nearly every day. Handling these situations appropriately is critical for both the client's progress and the professional's personal credibility and protection from liability.State and federal codes, professional association statements and denominational guidelines have been drawn up to address ethical issues like competence, confidentiality, multiple relationships, public statements, third parties and documentation. In this book you'll find them all compiled and interpreted in light of Christian faith and practice.Written by qualified professional counselors and respected academic instructors, this book is an indispensable resource for understanding and applying ethics in Christian counseling today.

Randolph K. Sanders, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in independent practice in New Braunfels, Texas. He is the former executive director of the Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) and served as an ex-officio member of the committee that revised the CAPS Statement of Ethical Guidelines. He is a noted writer and speaker on ethical matters in psychotherapy.