Christian Counselors in a Secular World

Jennifer Keeton, a Christian student on a counseling program at Augusta State University was asked to complete a “remediation plan” (or be expelled) because of her Christian ethical convictions expressed through written and verbal assignments pertaining to human sexuality and gender identity. The school questioned her ability in becoming a multiculturally competent counselor and required in her remediation plan to be exposed to gay populations, conduct outside reading assignments pertaining to gay culture, and write reflections about those readings and how they might benefit future clients. Now she is suing the university for violating her rights of speech, belief, and religious exercise. The ACA code of ethics does not prohibit counselor’s possessing such beliefs, but has a problem if those values are imposed upon the client(s). Ironically, the ACA feels the school is imposing their values on this counselor-in-training! This article can be found at: CNN Website

As I am reading this, I am thinking that this is a prime example of why those coming from nouthetic realms of thought, like Jay Adams, argue that counselors should not become licensed. The idea here is that Christian counselors do not want institutions like licensing boards dictating what happens in the counseling room. For example, I was accepted to a graduate program at a different school and inquired about whether or not their classes met licensure requirements. I was discouraged from taking that route because I would be moving from “ministry” to a “profession,” in addition to the laundry list of ethical and legal reasons I shouldn’t become licensed.

Up until that point I had never thought of ministry and profession separately. Furthermore, I'm left with the question: why should Christians have lesser educational and professional standards as others in any profession (not to say that anyone is receiving a lesser education)? If Christians want to influence culture they must infiltrate it and excel at what they do. I understand the fear of overstepping the ethical lines when it comes to answering to a secular board, but, more and more, now I think that the secular world of psychology is recognizing the value in religious belief for both client and counselor.