Counselling Ethics and SATS

Christian counsellors are called to a counselling practice of excellence including theological and moral engagement in both local and globally relevant contexts. Counsellors are to be self-aware and commit to ongoing personal and professional investigation into ethical issues, reflecting on their chosen ethical and legal responses from a Bible-based, Christ-centred, Spirit-led perspective. Ethical counsellors practice with integrity, are competent, understand confidentiality, avoid dual relationships, and have up-to-date, safe storage of records, referral processes, etc. This course aims to afford students the opportunity to become aware of, engage with and commit to ethical standards of Christian counselling excellence.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

• Use Bible-based, Christ-centred, and Spirit-led practices, to develop integrity and excellence in Christian counselling.

• Demonstrate the integration of the counsellor, the gospel, and their context.

• Demonstrate the ability to balance Christian ethics with legal requirements in your context.

• Apply ethics in diverse contexts and respond appropriately (mental health; church; secular; phases of development).

• Design a self-care plan, to develop your ability to practice ethics in your counselling.

• Illustrate competence in finding and using resources to help you apply sound ethics in your counselling.

• Evaluate key perspectives on Christian counselling, including the relationship betwee theology, psychology, scripture, and the Holy Spirit in counselling practice.