Christian Counseling Ethics: A Handbook for Psychologists, Therapists and Pastors

Christian Association for Psychological Studies Books

by Randolph K. Sanders (Editor)

"For the clients who see us in counseling . . . theological purity will make little difference if we do not practice with ethical integrity." Randolph K. Sanders, from chapter one The work of psychotherapy and counseling is full of ethical challenges and dilemmas. Responding to these situations with wisdom is critical, not only for the professional's credibility, but also for good therapeutic relationships and positive treatment outcomes. Since its first publication, Christian Counseling Ethics has become a standard reference work for Christian psychologists, counselors and pastors and a key text at Christian universities and seminaries. This thoroughly revised edition retains core material on counseling ethics that has made it so valuable in a variety of settings. Now fully updated, it weighs and assesses new and emerging ethical issues in the field. For example, the current volume explores ethical issues involved in:
multiple relationships
confidentiality
documentation
therapist competence and character
addressing spiritual and value issues in therapy
teletherapy
individual and couples therapy
counseling with minors
psychological first aid after disasters
counseling crossculturally
In addition, the book considers dilemmas Christian therapists face in specific settings such as:
church-based counseling centers
government and military institutions
missions organizations
college counseling centers
Psychologist Randolph Sanders has assembled a distinguished team of clinicians and academicians to address the issues. They include W. Brad Johnson, Alan Tjeltveit, Everett Worthington, Sally Schwer Canning, Siang-Yang Tan, Tamara Anderson, Stanton Jones, Jennifer Ripley, Angela Sabates, Mark Yarhouse, Richard Butman and Cynthia Eriksson.

Genres: Counselling, Psychology, Christianity, Nonfiction, Textbooks, School, Christian

553 pages, Paperback

First published March 8, 2013

Reviews

[Moriah Conant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Aside from using the word ‘Christian’ a few times per chapter, this book just seems like a dry reiteration of “Issues and Ethics in the Helping Professions”.
When on occasion in-depth analyses were attempted for specific ethical issues, it just read as a confusing train of thought with information cited from different psychologists.

[Katharine Heimbigner-Tenor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overviews for a variety of Christian counseling situations. I really liked the opening chapters on ethics in general. For non-Americans a few chapters are not going to be as relevant. I would have liked to have seen more information on the sexual orientation chapter even if it just provided direction on where to start researching this topic.

[Austin Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good resource for all biblical counselors seeking to strengthen their knowledge of counseling ethics.

[Troy Nevitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a rough read. Good information, but a tough read. This is certainly for someone who wants to be careful in the way they practice. It's something worth reading, but not an enjoyable read.

[Levi Friesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

More helpful for counsellors than pastors.