Ethics

Ethical Issues While Counseling Sexual Minority

Javier Perez

Liberty University

Abstract

Christian counselors struggle with the idea of counseling sexual minorities clients, because of their religious believes. This paper provide some suggestions and some ideas to help them deal with that struggle. Christian counselors have options such as referring a client that they do not feel comfortable working with. Christian counselors can also suggest sexual reorientation, if they feel that this will benefit clients the most. But the most important thing that they can do is to follow the code of ethics of the ACA and the state rules and regulations, because they are in this profession to help others, and at the greatest accomplishment a counselor can have, is the satisfaction of providing the best service to his or her client and prevent to cause any harm.

Ethical Issues While Counseling Sexual Minority

Sexual minority clients, are clients whom are struggling with same sex attractions or homosexual orientation. Some counselors might find it challenging to counsel a client with same sex orientation because of their religious belief; Even thought the main goal of a counselor is to provide services that will benefit clients the most. Christian counselors often find this challenge, and some of the ways to deal with it, is to give the clients all options available and provide them with the statistic of each practice. For example, the counselor should provide the success rate for change of sex orientation therapy. The counselor also has to determine if the struggle of the same sex attraction is intrinsic or extrinsic. For example if the struggle is intrinsic, the counselor might refer the client to a reorientation therapy, because this struggle is causing psychological problem to the client. In the other hand, if the struggle is of external forces; for example, if family members are against same sex attraction or homosexuality, the best course of action will be to...