Pastoral Counselor's Identity And Ethics

Pastoral Counselor’s Identity and Ethics Paper
Justin W. Cullen
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary

Abstract

This report develops a set of ethical and identity guidelines for ministerial boundaries that are maintained through connection with others seeking soul care. The study establishes a biblical responsible vocational paradigm. Within this paper are resources and potential ministerial professional connections that provide licensing, certification, and accreditation for pastoral soul care. Moreover, a pre-counseling packet was placed in the appendices of this paper to assist in a future pastoral counseling profession. Keywords: Ethics, Identity, Counseling, Resources

Contents
Abstract 2.
Paradigm for Identity
and Ethical Boundaries…………………………………………………….4
Potential for Professional Partnerships ...…………………………………………………………6
Pre-Counseling Package…………………………………………………………………………. 8
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………...………………8
References 10
Appendix…………………………………………………………………………………………11
Rubric…………………………………………………………………………………………….20

Pastoral Counselor’s Identity and Ethics Paper
This paper will introduce the professional identity and ethical development of the student within the pastoral counseling setting. A research based paradigm for pastoral counseling regarding identity and ethics boundaries will be presented. However, this presentation is not comprehensive, but a presentation that can used for future function in the arena of pastoral counseling.
I. Paradigm for Identity and Ethical Boundaries
A. Maintaining an ethical boundary is important to any profession and especially important within the pastoral counseling. Ethical codes were hallmark of many secular professions throughout hundreds of years (Sanders, 1997). A pastoral counselor adhering to a biblical code of ethics reveals he is truly living the Christian message for which he promotes. As a pastoral counselor, developing an ethical code is paramount to ensuring the counselees see a professional and trustworthy source, which they can feel safe and comfortable seeking soul care. Trull and Carter (1993/2004) point out several different identity and ethical boundaries or guidelines a pastoral counselor should adhere to, such as, education, competency, autonomy, service, dedication, and ethics.
B. Educational qualifications are important to prepare a pastoral counselor for the vocation. Trull and Carter (1993/2004) reveal obtaining an education grounded in the liberal arts with a special emphasis on theology and Christian ministry fulfills the requires by the Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 2:15. Without the proper education a pastoral counselor is ill-equipped to provide quality soul care for those with whom he serves.
C. A pastoral counselor must be competent in his skills and gifts in providing pastoral care. Development of pastoral gifts and talents is the key to building competency in all situations (Trull and Carter, 1993/2004). Moreover, the pastoral counselor should know the limits of their competency in the realm of soul care. A pastoral counselor provides services based only on the areas within the boundaries of their competence, which is based on education and experience (NBCP, 2015).
D. Autonomy as Trull and Carter (1993/2004) reveal is the ability for the pastoral counselor to make decisions and understand the effects those decisions will have on the lives of the people they counsel. A pastoral counselor is a leader and therefore he must be able to make wise godly decisions regarding his role in providing soul care. Good decision-making is the important in providing a leadership that instills confidence in those he serves.
E. A pastoral counselor is dedicated and service minded. The dedication to serve God’s people is at the heart of being a pastor. A pastor’s motivation in service comes from a want to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ (Trull and Carter, 1993/2004). The “greatest commandment” (Mk. 12:28-34) is the motivation for all Christians, but especially those who are called to serve. Dedication to providing pastoral care to those who are hurting or suffering is the greatest duty to a pastoral counselor.
F. Finally, Trull and Carter (1993/2004) reveal the pastoral counselor must maintain the highest level of ethical behavior to present himself as a model for the church and the community. A pastoral counselor should be above reproach (1 Tim. 3:2). There are several aspects of the ethical code a pastoral counselor should consider. Kollar (2011) reveals knowing one’s limitation when it comes to counseling is paramount to ensure the best care for those you are serving. A pastoral counselor should know when the time has come to refer a care-seeker to an outside mental health provider, who may have more training and education to handle the issue or problem. Having access to those within the pastoral counselor’s community will assistance in knowing who and how to refer a care-seeker. Moreover, a pastoral counselor should refrainment from obtaining some personal or emotional gain from providing care to the counselee. Having clear guidelines within the counseling sessions and interactions will prevent the counselor from fulfilling his own needs rather than the needs of the care-seeker (Kollar, 2011).
G. Dual relationships between the pastoral counselor and the counselee will create ethical dilemmas and could cause additional harm to the counselee. Personal or emotions bias can interfere with counseling a family member and close friend. In this situation the pastoral counselor could influence or misuse the counseling session. Therefore therapeutic counseling should be avoided with friends and family (Kollar, 2011). Furthermore, having a romantic or sexual relationship with a counselee is grounds for a major ethical violation. Again, as with counseling family and friends having an intimate relationship with the counselee should led to the misuse of power by the pastoral counselor (Kollar, 2011). As stated previously, the motivation of a pastoral counselor comes from service and not self-gratification, which can be interpreted by a sexual relationship with the counselee.
II. Professional Partnerships for a Pastoral Counselor
A. There are several professional organizations relating to pastoral counseling to which the student may obtain membership. Professional organizations provide various resources for pastoral counselors and provide an ethical code in which the member must subscribe to in order to obtain membership. The student is considering two professional partnerships to possibility join in the future. The first is the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), which is mentioned in Kollar’s book. The AAPC’s mission is to provide various spiritual and emotional assistance to individuals, families, and community through spiritually grounded psychotherapy and counseling (AAPC, 2015). Membership is open to those with an interest in pastoral counseling or who are practicing the profession. A certification can be obtained through the AAPC and various member benefits include training, publications, and a network for referrals. The referral network provided by the AAPC can be incredibly useful to the pastoral counselor.
B. The second professional partnership considered by the student is with the National Board of Certified Pastoral Counselors (NBCPC). The NBCPC describe themselves as, “a non-profit, independent, voluntary credentialing body for pastoral counselors.” (NBCPC, 2015). This organization has established a national certification system, which monitors pastoral counselors to ensure there members are maintaining and upholding the ethical and professional code ascribed to the NBCPC. Furthermore, the NBCPC uses a method of evaluation to ensure the competency of their members. The certification offered by NBCPC range from a basic level one certification for para-counselors to a supervisory level certification designed for those in a clinical counseling settings (NBCPC, 2015). The benefits of the NBCPC are their higher promoted ethical standards and their recognition of their certified pastoral counselors by third party agencies and various states throughout the U.S.A. Moreover, the NBCPC offers a detailed code of ethics, which each member is required to adhere to in order to maintain in good standing within the organization.
C. Regarding a referral network for future referrals as a pastoral counselor. The student can seek to establish membership in one or both of these organizations in order to maintain a wide range of referral contact information for future endeavors. Establishing a referral network with in the local community is vitally important to pastoral counseling. Johnson and Johnson (2014) reveal a well-timed referral for a counselee could be the most impactful service a pastoral counselor can provide to a person, who is suffering. Therefore, having a running list of contacts and evaluating these contacts for suitability is the duty of a caring pastoral counselor.
III. Pre-Counseling Package
A. The student has prepared a pre-counseling packet for a future role as a pastoral counselor. This packet includes, a counselee in-take form, a statement of understanding and consent, ethical guidelines, and information on the referral process. These documents will be provided to the counselee provide to beginning to the session and the student will discuss each one with the counselee in order to ensure there are no misunderstandings about the counseling process and the counselor. (See Appendix for Details)
IV. Conclusion
A. In conclusion, pastoral counseling ethic and identity boundaries are paramount to establishing a thoughtful, effective, and biblical counseling ministry. Promoting and following ethical guidelines will ensure the counselee and the counselor are protected and modeling the Christian standard for all within the community to see. Collaborating with professional organizations can be extremely useful for the pastoral counselor, because these organizations provide training, support, and a detailed referral system, which is vital to ensure proper soul care is being provided. Moreover, these organizations provide an extensive ethic code, which members are held to, thus ensuring those within the referral networks are of the highest standard. The student understands his limitations regarding pastoral counseling and will maintain a network of referrals in order to provide for the well-being of those within the Christian community to which he serves. Preparation is the key to a successful counseling session. Therefore a pre-counseling packet was created by the student to ensure the counselee is fully award of all aspects of the pastoral counseling sessions. Finally, the student understands the requirement for a background check as part of PACO 699 Internship and does not have any conflicts or reservations regarding this check.

References
American Association of Pastoral Counselors. (2015, April). About us. Retrieved April 26, 2015 from American Association of Pastoral Counselors: www.aapc.org/about-us.aspx
Johnson, W. B., and Johnson, W. L. (2014). The minister’s guide to psychological disorders and treatments ( 2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge: Taylor and Francis Group.
Kollar, C. A. (2011). Solution-focused pastoral counseling: An effective short-term approach for getting people back on track (Updated & Expanded ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan. (Original work published 1997)
National Board of Certified Pastoral Counselors. (2015, April). About us. Retrived April 26, 2015 from National Board of Certifed Pastoral Counselors: http://www.nbcpc.org/pastoral-counseling/article/about-the-national-board-for-certified-pastoral-counselors
Sanders, R. K. (1997). Christian counseling ethics: A handbook for therapist, pastors & counselors. Madison, WI: InterVarsity Press.
Trull, J. E., & Carter, J. E. (2004). Ministerial ethics: Moral formation for church leaders (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic. (Original work published 1993)

Appendix
Pastoral Counseling Intake Information

Name:__________________________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________________Date:__________
Address:_______________________________________________________________
Occupation:________________________________ Phone:_______________________
Gender:______________ Date Of Birth:_____________ Age:___________
Education: Last Grade Completed (prior to college)_____________________________
Other Education: (List type and years)_______________________________________
Referred here by:________________________________________________________
Marriage and Family Information

Name of Spouse:________________________Address:_________________________________
Phone:_________________ Business Phone:__________________Occupation:______________
Spouse’s Age:______ Education (in years):_________________ Religion:__________________
How long have you been married? _________________________________________________
How long did you know your spouse before marriage?___________­______________
Length of dating with spouse?_______ How long was your engagement?_______
If your spouse is not with you now, would he or she be willing to come in for counseling?
Yes___________ No_________ Uncertain____________
Have you ever been separated? Yes___ No____ If yes, how many times?___________
Are you separated now? Yes_____ No_______
Give brief information about previous marriages:
Husband:______________________________________________________________________
Wife:_________________________________________________________________________
Child’s Name_________________________________________________Age­­­­­­­­­­___Gender_____
Child’s Name_________________________________________________Age­­­­­­­­­­___Gender_____
Child’s Name_________________________________________________Age­­­­­­­­­­___Gender_____
­­­­­ Child’s Name_________________________________________________Age­­­­­­­­­­___Gender_____
Religious Background
Church currently attending?______________________________________________________
Church Address:_______________________________________________________________
Pastor’s Name:__________________________ Pastor’s Phone:__________________________
May we contact your pastor for information and help? Yes_______ No______Maybe_________
Church attended in childhood:_____________________________________________________
Have you been baptized? Yes_____ No_____ When____________________________________
If married, religious background of spouse:___________________________________________
Do you believe in God? Yes______ No_______ Uncertain___________________
Do you pray to God? Never______ Occasionally ______ Often_________
Do you read the Bible? Never______ Occasionally ______ Often_________
Do you have family devotions? Never______ Occasionally ______ Often_________
Personality Information
Have you ever had any psychotherapy or other counseling before? Yes_______ No__________
Counselor/Therapist and Names From/To Prescribed Diagnosis
_____________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Health Information
Rate your health: Very Good_____ Good_____ Average_____ Declining____ Other________________
Your approximate weight: ________lbs. Recent weight changes: _________________________________
List all important present or past illnesses, injuries or handicaps: ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Do any of the above illnesses or handicaps limit you in any way? Yes______ No ______Please Describe______________________________________________________________________
Date of last medical examination: ____________ Report _______________________________
Your Physician: _______________________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________
Do you drink alcoholic beverages? Yes_____ No_____ When_______________How Much___________
Are you presently taking medication? Yes______ No_____ Dosage_______________________________
Have you used drugs for other than medical purposes? Yes_____ No______
When? _________________
What__________________________Amount/Dosages_________________________________
Have you ever had a severe emotional upset? Yes_____ No_____ When?__________________________
If yes, please briefly describe_______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
(Adapted from www.maranathachapel.org; Maranatha Chapel, 2015)

Informed Consent with Confidentiality Covenant
I understand the counseling session will consist of three to five sessions with each session varying in length from 50 to 90 minutes in length. I understand that throughout the counseling sessions, there may assignments, which are to be completed at home, such as, additional readings, prayers, writings, and actions needed to promote changes in behavior. I understand I am the expert within these counseling sessions and as such in control of the decision made during the sessions. I understand this counseling session is voluntary.
I understand that God is working in me throughout the counseling process. The counseling model for these sessions are designed to promote spiritual and emotional health. There will be various methods of treatment depending of the specific problem(s) identified. I understand this process requires my involvement and actions in order to be successful.
I understand the person conducting the pastoral counseling session is qualified and I understand the counselor’s qualifications. There are limitation associated with this counselor and if need be then the counselor will recommend a referral to a mental health care provider, who better able to handle certain issues. However, I understand this referral does not obligate me to follow up with the identified provider. I understand the counselor may terminate the sessions at any time.
Finally, I understand this counselor may record notes and keep a record of the counseling session. These records and/or notes are kept confidential and will not be released to the church or any outside agency without my written consent. However, I understand there are limitations associated with this confidentiality.
Counselee’s Printed Name:________________________________________________________
Counselee’s Signature:_______________________________________________Date:________

Pastoral Commitment to Counseling Session
As the pastoral counselor, I will remain open minded to the issues you are facing and will not pass my personal judgement on you during these sessions.
I conduct these sessions out of Christian love and genuine concern for your spiritual, mental, and emotional wellbeing. As the counselor, I will be prepared before all sessions and devote my abilities to serve you. I promise the words of Holy Scriptures will be my guiding light in providing you pastoral care through Jesus Christ.
My sincere prayer is for God the Holy Spirit to comfort you in all of your trials, tribulations, and affiliations. May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7, English Standard Version).
Pastor’s Printed Name:­___________________________________________________________
Pastor’s
Signature:­­­­­­­­­­­_________________________________________________Date:_________

Ethical Guidelines
The pastoral counselor will not engage in any inappropriate relationships with the counselee. As a pastor and a counselor there must be no question regarding the sexual or immoral relationship with those he serves within the church and the community (1 Tim. 3:1-7). Sexual relationships with counselees are prohibited.
Counseling of family members and friends is discouraged due to the conflict of interest associated with those relationships. In this situation, a referral will be needed in order to serve the counseling needs of these individuals.
The pastoral counsel should be trained and educated with the appropriate level of study to ensure the quality of the counseling services. Therefore, the qualifications of the counselor is vitally important, which include an understanding of the pastoral counseling process. If the pastoral counselor is untrained or not knowledgeable, a specific area of counseling then a referral should be considered in order to provide counseling services to the care-seeker.
Confidentially is paramount to the counseling process and guidelines regarding what can be disclosed should be discussed with the counselee provide to starting a session. However, confidentially does not trump the loss of human life, threats or harms to the counselee or others or, illegal activity. Counseling records and personal information will be protected from loss or theft. Disclosing counseling session information to the church is prohibited.
The pastoral counselor will devote the time and effort necessary to provide quality soul care for those he counsels.
Referral Process
There are Limitation Associated with These Counseling Sessions
There will be situations presented by counselees, which are beyond the limitations of this pastoral counselor. Therefore, there should be an understanding between the counselor and counselee regarding these limitations, so as not to present a dishonest or unethical appearance. For this reason, a network of professionals and mental health providers will be maintained in order to referral counselees, which have been identified as beyond the scope or abilities of this ministry. Moreover, this network will consist of only the most competent professionals, who have be carefully vetted by this ministry.
Understanding the Need for a Referral
A pastoral counselor should refer a counselee when the issue or counseling situation cannot be resolved within the timeframe of the pre-established counseling sessions. The pastor will conduct ministerial triage in order to determine if a referral is needed or not (Johnson and Johnson, 2014). Referring a pastoral care-seeker is something that will be conducted after careful consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Knowing the Time to
Refer
There are several identified situations in which a referral will need to be conducted:
If the counseling session does not make progress within a reasonable time and the sessions are part of the counselee support system (Kollar, 2011).
If there is a conflict of interests between the counselor and the counselee, such as, a relationship.
If the counselee does not benefit from the session or the sessions become counterproductive to the counselee mental and/or emotional health.
Referring Counselees to Whom
The pastoral counselor will establish a network with trusted and capable mental health providers.
Referral should be to a Christian professional, who has compatible values as the counselee.
The pastoral counselor should be familiar with emergency mental health provider to order to facilitate any usual situations.
How a Referral is Conducted
Referrals will be carried out as soon as the need is identified by the counselor.
The counselee will be advised of all outcomes associated with a referral to another mental health provider.
The counselor will reframe of endorsing the referral, but instead provide information as to why this referral is suitable for the counselee (Enrichmentjournal.org, 2013)
The counselee will be given all available contact information associated with the referral, to include, address, telephone numbers, email addresses, and website information, so the counselee can research the referral if so desired.
(Enrichment Journal.ag.org.199803/048_referral.cfm; Turner, 2013)

Identity and Ethics Grading Rubric Student:
Criteria
Points Possible
Points Earned
Paper Content & Organization
All key components of the paper are identified with sufficient organizational clarity and logical flow
Major points were supported with evidence from the readings and web-engagements with concise explanation and citation
15

Professional Paradigm Content & Organization
Major elements of professional identity were clearly identified with concise explanation.
Concise synthesis of issues to be addressed in ethical guidelines.
Evidence of background check notification
Professional partnerships identified with sufficient detail of type, location, and expectations.
Where appropriate, spiritual formation truths, insights, and techniques were integrated into the paradigm.
30

Pre-Counseling Package Content & Organization
Package is contextually branded; all key components of package are identified (i.e., intake; informed consent including brief description of length/number of sessions, note-taking strategy, homework, referral process, and confidentiality covenant; ethical guidelines) with organizational clarity and placed in Appendix
All forms fit a non-licensure and/or church counseling context
20

Readability and Current APA Guidelines
Spelling and grammar are correct.
Sentences are complete, clear, concise, and contain appropriately varied sentence structure.
Annotations contain appropriately varied sentence structures.
Essential elements are supported appropriately with correct citations and references.
10

Total
75

Instructor’s Comments: