 Good morning everybody. Welcome to the 14th week and this is our last week of our class for Christian counseling and It's been amazing how you know our journey of learning has gone along I truly hope and pray that there have been a lot of insights and thoughts and things that you have Received as a result of our class today. We're going to wrap up This entire course. I know through the course We've now we've looked at many things and it's been like an overview If these are not in detail, but it's it's it's an overview and those of you who may be interested may you know can pursue to study and work more on on building your skill and techniques on on on counseling skills so to wrap up this The class we are on the last chapter. That's the 13th chapter, which is ethics and boundaries and counseling And I'm on page 55 Just to be able to look through Some guidelines or medical guidelines and boundaries that we need to Keep some standards that should govern the way that we conduct ourselves while we are In this kind of a ministry now. This has been some of these guidelines have been have been pulled out from From from a professional Christian body But then nevertheless, I you know some of those it's from the American Association of Christian counselors It's their code of ethics that's been pulled out and this is basically for our learning also. So giving them their view or also, you know Having taken the these code of ethics and really discussing them. So you would find this even Actually published in one of the journals, which is called the British Association For counseling and psychotherapy. So these are some of the guidelines that we will just look into so that we are aware What should govern the way that? That when we when we are in this profession of Christian counseling, okay, I'm just going to Share my screen just give me a minute. Okay All right, so Yeah, okay, so that's come on. All right, so we're going to be looking at the ethics line any kind of a profession you would know that there are certain ethics that We need to operate from and so also even even Christian counseling because it is it's That this comes also as a professional field. So there are these ethics that we need to Look through so one of the the basis of the basic ethical foundation which we have taken from is yes from our scripture from from the scripture and We we do know that the foundation of Or a model for Christian counseling for practice for its activities all come from Jesus Christ and his revelation and what we see in the old and the new testaments of the Bible we believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God and he is And what he has taught and whatever so whatever a scripture is the model for Counseling for its practice for its ethics for for even the final authority for every matter that we may be looking into Okay We we we believe that Christian counseling is a spirit led process of change This process of change comes From the power of the Holy Spirit and as a result in there is transformation There is growth it is also at some at some point of time geared to help out to help others may be mature in Christ by these by interventions which may be spiritual which may be psychosocial which may be Interventions that deal with family issues like marriage or parenting. It could be even environmental situation so all of what we are doing Should lead to Others growing or maturing in Christ. Okay. Now when we look at ethics What is what is what do we look at when you're saying ethics? It's certain principles or maybe like we look like a definition and say If they're certain principles principles that specify what may be acceptable and what may be not it is also it gives us a clarification of Things that we should be doing and things that we should not be doing or in other ways You know to really when you're looking at ethics in in most simplest terms, you'll say, you know, what is the right or what is wrong? and what how do we Do or how do we manifest things that we believe it? So that's that's what we're looking at and this is and there are certain guidelines that the American Association of Christian Counselors has bought about and that's something that You know, we need to we just need to be aware of So when we're looking at At the ethics the question that we ask is why why should we have a What why should we have an ethical code like this? So the the evidence So what what we do see is that there is a huge evidence of sometimes Unprofessional and incompetent practices even among Christian counselors Which could include complaints of harm that counselors Christian counselors could bring towards the counseling And that's why, you know, we're basically looking at some of these Ethics and some of these standards. So what this Go does is it outlines a certain foundation of values of preferred values and also and agreed terms of behavior professional behavior which Counselors can shape their identity and build their work So these ethics that we're going to be talking about it defines principles where practice is acknowledged and also encouraged and also this this also includes limits Or certain boundaries beyond which practice is not permitted or tolerated So to provide an ethical framework from which To work in order to assure The care or even the dignity of the individual who's seeking and receiving help or receive receiving a service So that's why we need to have this ethical framework because we're dealing with people and whatever we deal with has to From a base of value from a base of ethics. So when we look at a code of ethics these these set of Ethical considerations are a common set of the beliefs and Certain values that we are actually talking about okay They set standards of behavior and care and concern from the part of the counselor It also Gives an assurance to those outside who are seeking help that this is the kind of ethics that we we do follow It's also a protection for those who are practicing because there are sometimes that we may need to build some of these Boundaries and suggest that this is only within these limits or these boundaries that we will work in like for example There are many times in practice that you know, maybe people come and I'll give you an example people come in with mental health issues and Maybe there is someone who's who's who who a counselor is counseling? They may have a mental health condition and when there is Let's say a marriage proposal or things that come up, you know, they may A Larger family may approach the counselor to really understand whether there's been any kind of information that is shared about The person of their mental health condition now There are certain ethics that we need to follow certain guidelines we need to follow and that becomes like a protection So, you know as part of your profession what I generally says, you know, these are ethical considerations These are things that are confidential and only that which I'm permitted to share I would so you do not breach that And so that in itself keeps you protected As a practitioner, okay It also reflects the fact that counseling counseling is a profession and so is Christian counseling and why again while there is the set of boundaries It actually builds the bar up for a good sense of practice for a quality of practice And of course there are it helps also for any kind of complaint procedures That is in case there is any kind of an issue it can be bought back and Addressed accordingly, okay, so let's also just look at what is the What is the basic heart of this code? What is the mission of this code now? Christian counselors must recognize and keep high or bring up the inherent God-given Worth and dignity of every human person, right? Who who comes to you? And this is how scripture sees manners human beings are God's creation and they have and and as a result they are due with the rights and the respect and everything that That that we need to give to them Okay, so Christian counselors must express that appropriate care towards any Counselor who comes to you or anyone who's Inquiring of a service or anyone who's who you're encountering as a result of your practice or your ministry Without any regard to their gender or their sexual behavior their orientation their race Their caste their ethnicity their religion any or socio-economic status Their disability their mental status their occupation education marital status belief system, whatever, right? So what we are doing over there is the heart of these code this code is to show that God's love is unconditional and That exactly is also the place that the counselor does Approach a person from so it's the dignity and care of every individual is what this code basically looks at it now Just to bring about certain Scriptural admonitions that are there and when you look through some of these verses in this there are two three verses That are put up here it this is an admonition This is an instruction that we've been given to bear one another others burden or to be able to do Good to others not to work from a place of selfishness or a place of malice or concede But to regard one another as more important than ourselves and not just look to our To the four corners of our world But also to the interest of other and why do we do and how do we do that? We do that because we bear the mind of Christ We have the same minds that Christ had because we are believers So that's so when you look at this as a profession or you look at it even as a service It's something that we are called to do We are instructed to do to be able to bear one another's burdens to be to do good and to do things out of Humility and consider everyone important so that we are in a place of service to others Thereby having the mind of Christ. Okay, so this is just a biblical basis for us to understand when when they're even looking at Counseling and why some of these ethical considerations are needed. Okay, so There are I'm going to be sharing seven In all and we will go through each of these principles Maybe one by one as we progress So if you look at all of these principles something that really is highlighted is Your ministering for the good of the individual off of a larger community or a society by promoting their mental health and Their well-being you're also in a place of honoring their commitments and Keeping their keeping promises that's including where you fulfill your own responsibility of trust in a personal relationship and you're dealing with them truthfully With with that kind of a professional conduct and and that's what you will see in all of these Principles that it works for the good of the individual for the community at large to promote well-being to promote Wholeness partnering with God in doing that where when just as much as you are honoring whatever commitment and promises and fulfilling your Responsibilities towards the person and towards building that trust in this relation in the counseling relationship Okay, so just to quickly go through this and be like I said we will go through All of this when you look at these Principles or when you look at these code of ethics you will see that there is also a call we are called to do something so We show compassion when we do when we do show compassion. We are fulfilling our call towards Servanthood when there is competence that is we are building our excellence And you know growing in the profession building the skills so that we can minister effectively Consent in Christian counseling that we do not do anything outside of the willful Permission of our counseling, but you are being integral to to do or to Honor the will or to honor the decision of your counseling Confidentiality it is where you are being in a place of Being trustworthy being loyal to what you have committed to what you have promised, okay This is a call to dignity depend even amidst different cultural Issues the cultural Struggles cultural differences there is a You you do meet the others means so see them with dignity to see them that to an honor and respect The culture that they come from okay collegiality in Christian counseling Which means the way that you relate to others in the profession? Maybe it's a pastor. Maybe it is a doctor that you're meeting. Maybe it is other medical Professionals or are the ministers that you have it is a call to build good relationships within the profession and last one is the the community presence that is you being a Helper with an a larger community is again and we are called to serve Called to to humbly To bring about service, okay, so we're going to look at each of this one by one and Then we will probably unpack them little by little, okay so the first one that we see is compassion in Christian counseling and It it being a call to servanthood. So when you look at Counseling service and especially Christian counseling service Compassion and service is actually the biggest hallmark of of this ministry As a counselor, we should proactively avoid any manner of harm any manner of exploitation or Discrimination or injustice in in every matter that's related to counseling in any Counselor-related matter and we ensure that we help the overall well-being and safety of your counselors, excuse me So as a Christian counselor, you are aware of Your personal or the kind of influence You have on your counseling So you're aware of your spiritual influence your psychological influence your social influence and the The way that you help in these Relationships so because of a relationship like this You do not As a Christian counselor, you do not use the power to or the power dynamics to harm others even You know even Whatever whatever it could come up So you do not you do not engage in those dynamics because it is in a relationship like this because of the of the way this helping relationship is You do not harm others even if it says even without an intent of harm, right? So being extremely careful in the way that one deals with with with a person, okay? now there are some Some areas that a counselor does not condone advocate support or assist Okay, so Christian counselors must strictly avoid all behavior or suggestions of practice that can harm Counselies or even that can reasonably harm Counselies or their families or their social systems? So so that's why you know the It's it's bought about very strongly that you do not condone you do not advocate or support actions of Some of these areas that we've spoken about right And if you look at all of this it Imperils the human life that is it causes danger towards the human life and What we are doing is we are agreeing to protect human life And that should be always a top priority in any professional or ministerial intervention So who counselors who do or intend harm again are not to be abandoned And should we continue to serve in these troubles as far as it is humanly possible But what we do Do share and say is that we do not support or assist or advocate this behavior But if someone does come to you with this you speak to them in love but do not agree to their request of of this and and really Condone or I'm sorry really not support or not assist them in in that and and it's Fair and it's the right to share that It is outside the scope of your value and your belief systems Even if there is a counseling who insists they get that kind of a support Okay, so moving on The next one that we are looking at is competence competence in Christine counseling and like we said, it's a call to excellence now in So what we must uphold as a as a counselor who is who is in the faith is a strong commitment to Clinical and professional excellence. So what is competence to competence makes us Better at our work makes makes us Grow in our work and as a result even with the process of caregiving we are Where we're able to give the best that is needed. So and that's why it's important as a Counselor to keep pace with maybe research in the field More knowledge that's coming about learn about skills update oneself with Courses or or whatever is current. So thereby, what are you doing? You're also You're there's a personal awareness of your own limitations And you know, you are in a place where you're being accountable Where where where there may be certain areas that you may not be able to minister to him and also to understand that if you are not able to Help with that to make those adequate referrals or appropriate referral referrals outside Okay, so as a Christian counselor, we need to maintain that highest standard of competence with integrity knowing and Respecting the boundaries of competency both your for you as well as those of others We honor that call to competence to to be competent in the kind of work that we are doing Okay Now even even in this stage even as we are called to excellence What we what we do consider is to be able to refer to competent Colleagues whenever necessary, so I think as a Christian counselor, you know As it says over here Christian counselors do not counsel or advice against professional counseling medical or psychiatric treatment the use of Medication legal counsel or any other form of professional service Nearly because we may believe that the practice is wrong or because the provider may not have a Christian orientation So we've got to be careful that we do not do that. Okay. Now When do we consult or refer to others to other resources is Specifically when you're when there are limits of counseling competence or effectiveness Maybe, you know, when you're facing issues not dealt with before or you've not experienced in handling such an issue That's when you you can actually refer out or when counselors Counselors need further help Beyond your own training or your practice or your expertise. That's another time that you can seek You can you can do a referral or when either the counselor or the counselors are feeling stuck in the process of the counseling or are confused about the goals and Both the counselor or the counseling is not clear on how to proceed That's probably again another time when you do Refer outside and that shows Excellence or when the counseling counsellors are deteriorating or not making any gain Even after a number of sessions there again is where you can refer The other other times are when when a counseling when counseling is present They are representing an actual in actual Danger to harm themselves Maybe as a result of severe depression or a suicidal intent or behavior or excessive substance use or an eating disorder You know, you may need to refer out to someone who has a has a greater medical professional experience or when the counseling presents and You know a danger to towards others one is to yourself the others towards others where there is extreme Hostility where there is aggression or where there is violence or any threats That's when you refer all when the counsellors experience and a decline in their ability to take care of themselves Function in their day-to-day Activities whether it is at home or whether it's at work or in any other setting That's why you would need the support from anyone from those outside when the counseling is In excessive is using substances excessively They will require detoxification. That's when maybe you you may need help from a medical issue or when counseling is Reality that their understanding of reality is Severely impaired to the extent that you know, they're not able to orient to themselves. They don't have a handle over their emotions They are at risk to their own life. They are behavioral problems as an issue with memory You are seeing strange odd behaviors. That's again when you do referral or when there is again Now this is when there are strong issues of Transference which what is transferred Transference or counter-transference and we haven't spoken about it, but we will talk about it a little later Is when either the counsellor begins to identify very largely with the counsellor counsellor, you know has a personal interest in the counsellor as a result of maybe Some kind of internal dynamics that the counsellor is going through or counter Counter-transference is when the counsellor identifies very strongly with with the counsellor and again builds that kind of an attachment That's when you know that that needs to be a referral. That's that's done So these are some of the considerations that That that you consider or even if maybe there are times the counsellor themselves will say that they would like to see somebody else and when you honor that decision and Allow them to to get support or help from somebody outside So all of this is what we call as a call to excellence to be able to ensure that we We are competent in what we doing and when we are not to be able to hand over to To someone else. Okay, the next one we're looking at is Consent consent in Christian counselling which again is a call to integrity So one of the if you remember in our first First chapter we spoke about certain principles of counseling and a fundamental right of a counsellor Of a counsellor to determine for themselves What they would want to do is a pillar for counsellors and their counsellors so consent allows for the counsellor to operate transparently and with integrity and for the counsellor to to make that informed and Decision to engage in this helping process. Okay, so When you're looking at consent, you're saying that Christian counsellors need to respect The the need for an informed consent regarding the structure and the process of counselling So at the at the onset of counselling counsellors and counsellors should discuss and agree upon some of the some of these One is the nature and the course of counseling. That is what are we going to do? What are the what are going to be the expectations? What kind of issues we're going to be dealing with what are some of the goals that the counsellor wants to reach What could be certain risks and problems that come As well as what could be certain alternatives that are there to counselling if the if the counsellor wants to Talk about that The the counsellor's status or credentials, you know, what the counsellor has studied and What approach they use Confidentiality and its limits Even fees and financial procedures if there are if there is Any financial feed there financial investment that goes into these counselling sessions that should be discussed with time time and access To the counsellor when there is an emergency situation or even any kind of Resolving any kind of dispute or misunderstandings. So all of this is what we look at in consent So even here we we need to ensure when you're securing information you're also Especially when you're seeing minors right that you get consent from parent or legal guardians or someone who represents them and that's extremely important especially when you're meeting a minor and even You need to keep a document of consent now in and i'm sharing this is because even in chrysalis The wing of a counselling wing in apc. We do follow these these These protocols where there is a consent form that's given there are certain details that's that's spoken about there That is also the details of the we take consent that that that our service is more Is is geared towards biblical and spiritual practices in counselling So we we do share that upfront so that then later there aren't there isn't any kind of an ambiguity that comes about Okay, then Okay, i'll just stop here. Are there any questions? Because then there's absolutely no Feedback, sorry. I think there's someone who's sent a question job. Okay, let me address that question what if we are in a What if we are in a leadership position and are asked about a person from our congregation Regarding same marriage proposal if we have come across any confidential information through counselling If asked to give our genuine opinion about the person how do we handle that? Okay, so And I think I I did maybe this has did this answer your question with the last point answer your question pastron Could you walk through again? Just one more time. Okay. Okay. So if there is if there is Confidential information that has come as a result of counselling That's something that you need to keep confidential Even if You know, especially like this and and I understand that there may be marriage proposals that come about this way Whatever has been spoken in the counselling room continues to become to be confidential to be only Something that's discussed there unless of course your council Counseling has given you the consent to share certain information with somebody else unless if that if if that If if they do not give you the consent then we are breaching that confidentiality, okay, so I think personally what I would suggest here Is that let's say if there's a marriage proposal someone's come and then and ask you certain details That's something that You it may not be right on your part even as a minister Or as a pastor to be able to give that information What I would now I would see this specifically in mental health issues, you know When when there are proposals that come and something that I attempt to do is let's suppose I'm meeting counselling b And there is a proposal with mr. A. Let's say it's miss b and mr. A so I would Work alongside with miss b to to be able to the the need or the or the importance of sharing The condition that she may be in to to mr. A as because because Mental health conditions can have long-term impacts even into the relationship. I wouldn't I would not Bring about the information with mr. A But I would walk alongside with miss b and speak to her and help her come to a place of Determining the need and the importance of bringing about this information With mr. A and that's something that I would leave for them to do But if there were sensitive information that's asked I would probably say that's that is beyond my scope of sharing because some of those details have been Are within a counselling room and that's not part of My consideration. So that's something that I would be very careful of doing and maybe important for you to Do as well Pasture does that answer your question? Yeah, but in this case, I'm just trying to think one more. Um, so we We are asking like hey, did you know this earlier? Then how do we? Like you know, let's say something happened after we give the opinion or let's say we we don't talk about this and some later sometime The issue is coming up and if they are asking Hey, did you know this earlier and why did you tell Something like that. I mean, it's a tricky part, but I'm just thinking along So So I think we don't put ourselves in this soup If right in the beginning maybe at the time of the wedding or the proposal that comes that We do not as ministers or as counsellors do not give them a go-ahead sign It's not for us to make that determination or make that choice. They are to make the choice Right, right. So, uh, it's I think we It's a problem when if we have been party to make that choice and say, oh, it's this is a good person or you know These are certain things, you know, like go ahead Right, it's almost like they're coming to you for an approval to do that But that's something we've got to be extremely careful not to do Rather than oh, so so if there is a someone who comes to you have them say, okay Would you like to see the pros and the cons and what does it look like to you? Is this something you feel you want to go ahead with? Okay. That's what you have have decided Let's pray and move forward So our approach needs to be very careful prior to this in itself so that we don't Be ourselves to a point where we've given the consent and then someone asks us For uh, for a year. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, that's really helpful. Yeah Okay, all right Any other questions any anyone else has any other questions? Okay, if not, then we move on. All right. So the next one is uh, collegiality in christian counseling and uh, so just to just to unpack this entire thing is to understand that As counselors as christian counselors or you know, people who are leading or who are in ministry must really recognize the benefit of forming effective professional and ministry relationships with others across you know across other areas Right in in multiple areas And and it's important because it really helps in building up people It really helps in maybe doing the best that we can to work And help help others. So this these You know these networking or these relations are building these professional and relationships could be You know to fellow mental health practitioners It can be to other ministry leaders. It can be to supervisors It can be to mentors or educators or researchers or even counseling related sources So this cooperation and respect must be encouraged Because they are opportunities to work for on a common ground Work on common purposes. So and and that's what you would um, you would You know grow to to be able to do so that you're you're working together for the benefit of Of others. Okay. The next one is confidentiality In christian counseling and there here is where it's a called trustworthiness. I think yeah, this is this is probably the point that That we were talking about earlier. So what does confidentiality recognize? It it recognizes that every counseling has a right Both a moral as well as a legal right to privacy and And to have a wide range of those thoughts Opinions beliefs behaviors that they may want to protect from those outside Okay, so the alliance between a counselor and counseling is enhanced whenever There is an environment that offers that level of confidentiality privacy and safety Now this dynamic between a counselor and a counseling This confidential dynamic really helps to promote strong and trustworthy relationships So counselors must be extremely careful not to break that confidentiality regarding counseling communications without first discussing the this disclosure or the intended disclosure and I and like we do we we secure a written consent from the counseling or a representative that from from that person because Sometimes I mean, I know far too many maybe not within the christian circle as much but far too many where counselors have been sued because Confidentiality has not been maintained. Okay. Now Even as you're doing this, it's important to discuss the limits of of confidentiality When you're looking at limits of confidentiality, you're basically Informing the counselors that the counselor is committed to confidentiality But also may have certain limits before engaging in counseling. So christian Counselors must avoid stating or implying that your confidentiality is guaranteed or absolute You shouldn't say whatever you tell me I will keep confidential But you need to discuss the limits of confidentiality Privacy or that communication with with with your counseling at the beginning of at beginning of counseling. So There is a rule of mandatory disclosure and that that is that's there That that's like, you know Like the doctors take the hippocampus Law oath, I think that's what it's called hippo Not hippocampus hippocritic hippo. I'm sorry. I've forgotten what the word is. If anyone knows Please clarify forgotten what that is, but they take a take a note saying that there would be no harm that is That is Bought out to patients, right? So similarly, there is a rule of mandatory disclosure And that is to protect people from deadly harm So christian counselors also accepts the limits of confidentiality When human life is either abused or impaired or is in danger And that's when your counselors take appropriate action And and this could include even Necessary disclosure of confidential information so that one can protect the life Of of a counseling for example under certain threats of suicide homicide serious bodily harm Life-threatening disease abuse of children Elders or dependent persons. This is when Confidentiality can be breached and this is something that we do share right in the beginning that This would be You know if at any point of time this is this is observed or assessed there would be The this would need to be disclosed to someone so that they can be protected Or any other person within their sphere of influence could also be protected. Okay, so that's that's what we look into confidentiality then we move on to We move on to a cultural regard that's that's in christian counseling now so culture cultural ethnic diversity Are very important factors that we need to consider while we are bringing about counseling related services So cultural competency. What does it signify? It's a knowledge and awareness That represents things like as values norms traditions of other people Their perceptions their thoughts attitudes their beliefs their identity their dynamics of relating to others Their life experiences their customs their spirituality Understanding of all of this in relation to their human problem. Okay, so what we're doing is as a counselor We recognize and acknowledge that all people like we said have been Created in the image of God and therefore all counselors they have an innate right to be valued and respected so that they can receive the most ethical care And to be treated with the most dignity So now this specifically comes when we're working with person people of different faith or religion or value So counselors we work to understand the counseling's belief system always maintaining the respect for the counseling and strive to understand When faith and value issues are really important to the counseling So we in this in this epic or in this consideration, there's the foster You know the the decision making process in in counseling so counselors share their own faith You could share that your own faith orientation as a function of legitimate self-disclosure And when appropriate Through the counseling's name always maintaining a posture of humility. So So even when we are in in a place of counseling, especially when we are counseling non-believers, right the the the focus is not to to Build on them your faith The focus is to help them with their struggle and thereby as a function of self-disclosure and whenever necessary And whenever appropriate, there is you know, there is a sharing of your your orientation or your faith Okay, so christian council As a christian counselor, we do not or should not be withholding Service to anyone of a different race or faith or religion Or a value system because of what we believe in and and that's the guideline that that is given over here However, if you do feel that it is something that is not in your purview That's something that you can share. Maybe it's not in your purview of understanding or maybe the expertise is not there But we do regard everyone This Irrespective of what kind of a background they come from, right? Okay Okay, we are at 10 50. I think right now Um And I think we'll take a 10 minute. Yeah, we'll take a 10 Hypocratical, thank you. Thank you, john. Yes. I was right. Yeah, so we'll take a Break of 10 minutes and we will come back. We'll come back at 11 o'clock and completely the rest