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- Pastoral/Spiritual Care vs. Licensed Counseling
- The best thing you can do is make it very clear you are not a professional counselor of any kind unless you have a specific license.
- Avoid giving a medical diagnosis of their physical or mental condition or giving medical advice about any medications they are taking.
- If asked for a diagnosis on their mental state is, you can say, "Unfortunately, I am not a licensed counselor, so if you are concerned about your mental state I can refer you to an area counselor (or I would encourage you to see a professional counselor).”
- Avoid using the title of "counseling" if you're not licensed. For example, avoid the title "Pre-Marriage Counseling" if the pastor or missionary doing the sessions is not licensed.
- Avoid promising anything that you cannot commit to. Also, avoid committing GCM or your local church resources to that which you may have no authority to do.
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3. Avoid any improper physical contact.
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