Religious Therapists and Clients in Same-Sex Relationships: Lessons from the Court Case ofBruff v. North Mississippi Health Service, Inc.

To Refer or Not to Refer: Exploring Family Therapists' Beliefs and Practices Related to the Referral of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Clients

“…Additionally, therapists who reported higher levels of negative beliefs were also significantly more likely to have referred based solely on the client's sexual orientation. This finding is not surprising as many researchers have documented that therapists' personal values directly influence their clinical decision‐making (Huber, ; Priest & Wickel, ). While the influence of personal values on the therapeutic process is well established in the literature (Bograd, ; Carlson & Erickson, ; Fife & Whiting, ), this is the first study to find that negative beliefs toward LGB individuals directly impacts clinical decision‐making as it relates to the referral of LGB clients.…”

“…Caldwell (, ) highlighted that some therapists who refer LGB clients do so because they believe that they have the right to protect their own beliefs and values (e.g., religious freedom). In particular, some therapists have argued that they should not be required to work with populations of clients whose sexual orientations do not fit with their sincerely held religious beliefs (Caldwell, , ; Kocet & Herlihy, ; Priest & Wickel, ). However, several scholars have argued that this perspective places the emphasis on the rights of the therapist over the rights of the client (Greene, ; Hancock, ; Kaplan, ).…”

“…Still others may refer based on their own values and negative beliefs about LGB individuals and relationships (Brock, ; Shiles, ). In particular, some therapists argue that they have a right to refer LBG clients in order to remain congruent with their religious beliefs (Caldwell, ; Kocet & Herlihy, ; Priest & Wickel, ). However, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Code of Ethics (AAMFT, 2015), while not directly addressing the topic of making referrals based on sexual orientation, does not allow for groups of clients to be treated differently based solely on clients' demographic characteristics.…”

Helping Gay and Lesbian Students Integrate Sexual and Religious Identities

“…Counselors must also be aware of their own perspectives and biases in counseling students with these concerns and attempt to prevent the impact of their own opinions on the counseling process (ALGBTIC LGBQQIA Competencies Taskforce, ; APA, ; Frame, ; Israel et al, ; Kocarek & Pelling, ; Priest & Wickel, ; Steen et al, ). Counselors who maintain personal values that condemn homosexuality will need to engage in frequent self‐reflection and supervision, as well as consider their own exploration of faith and religious development (Ellens, ; Frame, ; Priest & Wickel, ). Although they may firmly adhere to their beliefs, the process of questioning and struggling with difficult issues can lead to an appreciation and empathy of their client's struggle.…”

“…Some counselors may take the position of referring clients because of conflicting values or feelings of inadequacy in appropriately addressing client concerns. However, it is important to note cases in which value conflicts were seen as inappropriate reasons for client referrals (Hermann & Herlihy, 2008; Priest & Wickel, ). Aside from the legal and ethical issues contained in these cases, the idea of “do no harm” must also be considered in making decisions to refer.…”