A qualitative exploration into how the use of prayer in counselling and psychotherapy might be ethically problematic

Abstract

Aim: This research article contributes to the debate on the value and limitation of the use of spiritual strategies, like prayer, in counselling (Foskett & Lynch, 2001) by disseminating the insights that were gained from a qualitative study of mainstream counsellors whose work includes prayer. Method: Participants were 19 British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)-accredited and Churches Ministerial Counselling Service (CMCS)-approved counsellors who use prayer in their practice. They were interviewed, and the data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: The data reveal that counsellors who use prayer are aware that ethical problems may be encountered: if prayer changes the way that the counsellor is perceived; when using prayer with issues of psychopathology; if the counsellor uses prayer to impose faith on a client; when being professionally held to account; if prayer is used for avoidance or as a defence; if prayer is used to enhance the counsellor's power; if prayer is not part of the client's agenda; if prayer is used routinely; if prayer cannot be challenged; if there is a cultural pressure to pray; and if the prayer method is not matched to the client Á but that their concern over potential ethical issues is not of sufficient strength to override their therapeutic use of prayer if facilitated with due care.

Critical reflexivity: A personal account of my counselling career and journey

“…In addition, I have experienced hostility and avoidance by some within the counselling profession to the notion of integrating a Christian worldview with counselling and psychotherapy. Whilst in recent years I believe the profession has become more open to spirituality (Bartoli, 2007;Delaney et al, 2007;Gingrich & Worthington, 2007), nevertheless, I agree with others that there remains a level of avoidance of working with a client's religious and/or spiritual issues (Macmin & Fosket, 2004;Gubi, 2009;Harborne, 2012). I believe the conflict I experienced from these two groups created in me a passion to create and develop three professional higher education counselling programmes, all underpinned by a Christian worldview/anthropology.…”

Untitled

“…In addition, I have experienced hostility and avoidance by some within the counselling profession to the notion of integrating a Christian worldview with counselling and psychotherapy. Whilst in recent years I believe the profession has become more open to spirituality (Bartoli, 2007;Delaney et al, 2007;Gingrich & Worthington, 2007), nevertheless, I agree with others that there remains a level of avoidance of working with a client's religious and/or spiritual issues (Macmin & Fosket, 2004;Gubi, 2009;Harborne, 2012).…”

Faith as a Cultural Variable: Implications for Counselor Training

“…To avoid doing so, professional counselors might simply avoid the topic entirely. In fact, many counselors are reluctant to include faith‐based practices such as prayer into their clinical work, fearing inadvertent ethical breaches or undue influencing of clients (Gubi, ). Although this disinclination to integrate faith in a clinical setting may be understandable, it may also do clients a disservice, because spiritual constructs and beliefs are foundational elements of identity.…”