Principals of Practice

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Christian counselling can be effective in the care and cure of those persons who are experiencing inner bondage and desire freedom. (Luke 4:18-21).

This may include, but is not limited to:

  1. Resolving emotional and/or psychological wounds
  2. Healing addictive and compulsive behaviors
  3. An inability to experience the love or gracious presence of God
  4. An inability to extend love to others
  5. An inability to give or receive forgiveness
  6. Healing mood disorders
  7. Healing of cognitive disorders which impair relationships
  8. Healing of behavioral disorders which impair relationships
  9. Suffering from a lack of moral perspective on life
  10. Suffering from a lack of personal meaning in life

Within each of these categories, individual counsellors are required and expected to treat clients only within the scope of their competence.

SOURCE OF WISDOM

Christian counsellors recognize God as the ultimate source of wisdom in interpersonal relationships (James 3:17).  This wisdom is revealed in a variety of ways, including Scripture, the Holy Spirit, the history of the church, the experiences of people and scientific investigation.

ETHICS OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELLORS

PACCP establishes and maintains guidelines for ethical behavior and adjudicates complaints against members and when warranted pursues disciplinary action. The Association follows ethical principles based on Scripture summarized as follows:

  1.  Dignity of all Persons:Christian counsellors acknowledge that each person is created in the image of God, (Genesis 1:26 -27). As such, each person should be treated with care, value and respect. A person’s right to privacy, self-determination, autonomy and dignity flow directly from that person’s bearing of the image of God.
  1.  Integrity in Relationships:Christian counsellors seek to be fair, impartial, straightforward and completely truthful in their professional relationships. We understand that failing to do so undermines the quality of relationship between the parties concerned. We understand that primarily, the lack of integrity in relationship violates God’s desire for truthfulness in all relationships (Ephesians 4:15 )

Integrity in relationships also demands that Christian counsellors maintain competence in their declared field(s) of expertise.

  • Professional Responsibility…To One’s client(s): Christian counsellors are required to care for their client(s) to their utmost capacity. This requires that the counsellor protect the client’s right to privacy and autonomy and to protect the dignity of the client. The counsellor will endeavour to minimize any harm done to their client(s).
  • Professional Responsibility…To The Church: Christian counsellors are aware of, and exercise their responsibility to help build and to support the Church, Christ’s body. Whenever possible, Christian counsellors will actively foster maturity and unity within local congregations, understanding that the local church is God’s chosen corporate instrument for accomplishing His good will in the world. (Colossians 1:24-25, 2:2)
  • Professional Responsibility…To Others: Christian counsellors acknowledge that they belong to a community and hence are responsible to also protect the rights of others, beyond the counsellor’s client. Christian counsellors will seek to do whatever is necessary and reasonable to protect the rights and dignity of others. This is maintaining the Christian counsellors greatest responsibility rest with their client(s).
  • Professional Responsibility…To Society: Christian counsellors acknowledge that as members of society they are called by God to contribute to the welfare of society as a whole (1 Peter 2:17 ). Counsellors will use wisely the wisdom they have to advance their profession, advance society’s understanding of itself and individuals. Counsellors will uphold the profession’s responsibility to society by bringing incompetent or unethical behavior to the attention of the appropriate regulatory bodies.