A Conversation About the Intersection of Faith, Sexual Orientation, and Gender: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspectives

Abstract

Recent challenges to counselor education and the ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association, ) provided impetus for this article, which is focused on how 3 major Western religions address counseling and counselor training with diverse clients. Jewish, Christian, and Muslim perspectives are highlighted as related to counseling and training issues across faith, sexual orientation, and gender issues.

Faith as a Cultural Variable: Implications for Counselor Training

“…Such training may come in the form of a stand‐alone ethics course, ethics infused throughout the curriculum, or a combination of both. The ACA Code of Ethics (ACA, ) mandates that counselors not impose their personal values on clients in Standard A.4.b., Personal Values, which states, in part, “Counselors are aware of—and avoid imposing—their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.” Some counselor trainees misinterpret this to mean that faith, religion, and God (or a higher power) cannot be discussed in session (Balkin et al, ). The ACA Code of Ethics does not restrict any area of inquiry or exploration with a client.…”

“…Within all of the exploration of values, counselors must be mindful of proceeding ethically. Some researchers have addressed the impact of the counselor's religious or spiritual values on client care (Balkin, Watts, & Ali, 2014). Other researchers have focused on the need to work within the faith needs of the client (Balkin, Schlosser, & Levitt, 2009 (CACREP, 2015) listed as one of the factors related to culture.…”

“…Other researchers have focused on the need to work within the faith needs of the client (Balkin, Schlosser, & Levitt, 2009 (CACREP, 2015) listed as one of the factors related to culture. However, what is common to existing empirical research on this topic is that counselors are routinely trained to leave faith out of their work with clients and out of their ethical decision making unless specifically requested by the client (Balkin et al, 2014). The absence of faith as a cultural variable in counselor training, and the resulting confusion when working with issues related to faith, led to the inspiration for the study.…”

Student Counselors' Perceptions of Ethical Client Referrals

“…A growing number of researchers have explored professionalism, ethics, and value‐based conflicts in counseling. A recent special section (Volume 92, Issue 2) of the Journal of Counseling & Development featured nine topical articles, spanning the lessons and ethical implications of recent lawsuits (Dugger & Francis, ; Herlihy, Hermann, & Greden, ; Kaplan, ), ethical decision‐making models and training practices targeting value‐based conflicts (Ametrano, ; Kocet & Herlihy, ; Whitman & Bidell, ), and various faiths' perspectives on sexuality and gender (Balkin, Watts, & Ali, ; Bidell, ; Choudhuri & Kraus, ). In addition, Burkholder and Hall () examined 201 student counselors' perceptions of Ward v. Wilbanks .…”

Ethical Issues Raised by CACREP Accreditation of Programs Within Institutions That Disaffirm or Disallow Diverse Sexual Orientations

“…There is a continuum of beliefs about homosexuality among theologically conservative Protestant Christians (Balkin et al, 2014;Banks & Banks, 2010;Sodowsky & Plake, 1992). These beliefs range from acceptance of homo-CACREP Ethical Issues sexuality (Cannon, 2009;Helminiak, 2004) to ambivalence or the belief that homosexuality is a sin and a struggle (Rogers, 2009).…”