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Page History
| Standard Name: | Guidelines for Ministers & Staff Who Are Not Licensed Counselors In Spiritual Care Situations |
|---|---|
| Scope: | All Staff, Associates, and Volunteers |
| Revision Date: | May 23, 2023 |
| Last Review Date: | May 23, 2023 |
This information is for all non-licensed counselors ministers and staff who do spiritual care as a part of their field ministry work with Reliant. These guidelines are being given in order to reduce the risk to GCM missionaries Reliant employees and GCM Reliant as an organization. GCM’s Reliant's ministry is not intended to help to train or develop counselors.
Pastoral/Spiritual Care
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Guidelines
- Clarify that
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- you are not a professional counselor
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- or therapist unless licensed within the state where you work.
- If you have a certification or credential but are not licensed, ensure that the individual you are providing care to understands the difference between the services you can offer and what a licensed counselor or therapist treats.
- Do not attempt to diagnose a physical or mental condition or
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- provide medical advice about any medications
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- .
- If asked for a diagnosis of a
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- mental state
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- , direct the individual to a licensed counselor or a mental health professional.
- Avoid using the title
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- "counseling" if you're not licensed or certified. For example, avoid the
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- label "Pre-Marriage Counseling" if the pastor or
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- staff member doing the sessions is not licensed or credentialed.
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- Consider providing in writing to the counselee an overview of the type of care you are able to offer and what you are not able to provide.
Duty to Report
All Reliant staff
| Example |
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For example:
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3. Avoid any improper physical contact.
4. Be very conscience of setting realistic expectations. In general, you should avoid promising unconditional confidentiality because you may not be able to guarantee it. If you have any questions regarding this, it may be good to consult your local pastor.
5. GCM encourages each church or ministry to have written guidelines and standards to be used in meeting with members of the opposite gender.
6. Avoid spiritual care sessions with minors that is out of anyone else's sight and alone. It is best to conduct the session in a public setting (like a coffee shop), in a space with a window that looks into the room, or on a pew/seat in the church out of the hearing of anyone else. The meeting may require the presence of another staff person or trusted church member during the session.
7. Have a referral network of licensed professional counselors in our area.
8. All GCM staff are expected to understand the duty to report requirements within their state and must comply with them. For example, if a person intends to hurt themselves or someone else or if there are elderly or children in danger, there could be is likely a responsibility of the missionary to staff member to report this to an appropriate agency. You You should not assume a church or clergy exception without prior , written verification.
See web link below:
https://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/
9. Here are some examples of dealing with someone with conditions where caution is recommended. (NOTE: This list is not meant to be exhaustive).
- Minors (< age 18)
- Very easily pressured by others
- Hypochondriac
- Very narcissistic
- Borderline Personality Disorder – inability to control one’s own emotions
- Repressed memories
- Dissociative disorders
- Suicidal
- History of abuse
- Custody battles and contested divorce
- Prior litigation or lawsuit history
- Break or disregard laws with impunity
- Non-attender of your church
: Child welfare policies by state
Standards of Conduct pages
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