http://blogcritics.org/ A sinister cabal of superior bloggers on music, books, film, popular culture, politics, and technology - updated continuously. en Copyright 2005-2007 by the authors Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:24:18 EST http://backend.userland.com/rss Blogcritics.org custom software http://blogcritics.org/archives/2003/11/04/122257.php#comment-676371 Regardless of religion, one should be allowed to tailor one's practice to suit a specific faith. It gives solace and provides initial comfort and trust to know that the practitioner providing services understands and agrees with a patient's religious convictions. Where I disagree with DeVol is when he moved beyond his duties as a counselor and into one of a minister. While it is wise to integrate a patient's beliefs into a well rounded therapy, it is unethical to act as religious leader or practitioner while providing professional counseling services. Even if he was ordained, it is ethical, as a counselor, to separate the roles and remain within the singular role defined by the initiating relationship. Is the person in question a patient or congregant? In this instance, Dr. DeVol should have referred this patient to a minister for further evaluation and any necessary religious treatment or ceremony. As an aside: I happen to be a Wiccan minister persuing a degree in Psychology so I thought it rather ammusing to see the line about "Wiccan counselors" as I plan to be one! 676371@blogcritics.org Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:24:18 EST