| Two purposes guided this investigation: (1) To examine counselor opinions about the ethical use of selected religiously-oriented interventions, and (2) To propose decision making guidelines about the ethical use of religiously-oriented interventions. These purposes grew out of the concern, identified in the literature, that clients may be placed at risk because of counselors practicing in an area (i.e., religious issues) where they have limited guidance and preparation.;Counselor opinions about the ethical use of 10 religiously-oriented interventions and frequency of use data were gathered through a survey (designed for this study) of 398 American Counseling Association members. Opinions were solicited about two related topics: (a) the degree a religiously-oriented intervention is ethical to use with four client types (i.e., religiously committed, nominally religious, nonreligious, and antireligious), (b) the degree the use of religiously-oriented interventions either observe or violate five ethical principles (i.e., beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, fidelity, autonomy).;Major findings included: (a) counselor relationship to religion was associated with usage frequency and counselor opinions regarding the ethical usage of religiously-oriented interventions; (b) usage varied across counselor work settings; (c) counselors believe that as client relationship to religion declines the usage of religiously-oriented interventions becomes more ethically problematic; (d) interventions less religious in nature were seen as less ethically problematic and demonstrated higher usage rates; (e) counselors seemed most concerned about the violation of client autonomy regarding interventions identified as more religious in nature.;The study concluded with guidelines on using religiously-oriented interventions. In essence, when choosing to use a religiously-oriented interventions, counselors should examine their own religiosity, the degree an interventions is considered standard practice within a specific work setting, the religiosity of the client, and the ethical principles. |
