Ethics in Pastoral Care and Counseling: A Contemporary Review of Updated Standards in the Field

Abstract

This article reviews ethical responsibilities that must be considered when engaging in pastoral care, counseling, and psychotherapy. It discusses important contemporary issues counselors will want to contemplate in pursuing a high quality of care in their counseling practices. Examples and case studies are provided. Readers will be able to:

Understand the function of ethical standards in the practice of counseling

Be able to differentiate between pastoral care, pastoral counseling, and pastoral psychotherapy and their ethical implications

Understand the importance of identifying one's limitations in counseling situations and how to proceed under such circumstances.

Understand the need for pastoral counselors to attain the necessary credentials for practice in the area of counseling they intend to undertake.

Become aware of the legal requirements when engaged in a counseling relationship.

Keywords

pastoral care counseling ethics clergy

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