Counseling
Ethical Standards for
Christian Counselors
Christian counselors
recognize and uphold the inherent, God-given dignity of
every human person. Human beings are God's creation and are
therefore due all the rights and respect that this fact of
creation entails.
Therefore, regardless of how we may respond to and challenge
harmful attitudes and actions, Christian counselors will
express care and sensitivity to any client or anyone
encountered in the course of practice or ministry without
regard to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual behavior,
socio-economic status, education, denomination, belief
system, values, or political affiliation.
Christian counselors avoid every manner of harm,
exploitation, and unjust discrimination in all
client-counselor relations. Christian counselors are aware
of their psychosocial and spiritual influence and the
inherent power imbalance of helping relationships and will
avoid any behavior or practice that harms or could
reasonably harm clients, client families, client social
systems and representatives, students, trainees,
supervisees, employees and colleagues.
Christian counselors maintain the highest standards of
competence with integrity. We make only truthful, realistic
statements about our identity, education, experience,
credentials, and about counseling goals and process. We do
not offer services or work beyond the limits of our training
and competence. When facing issues not dealt with before or
not within our scope of training or practice we may consult
with and/or refer to more competent colleagues. Christian
counselors shall honor the client's goals and confidential
privacy interests in all consultations and
referrals.
Christian counselors maintain client confidentiality to the
fullest extent allowed by law and professional ethics.
*adapted from the Code of Ethics of the
American Association of Christian Counselors
