This information is for all ministers and staff who do spiritual care GCM is providing this information for all non-licensed counselors who do spiritual counseling as a part of their field ministry work with GCMReliant. These guidelines are given to reduce the risk to Reliant employees and Reliant as an organization. Reliant's ministry is not intended to help to train or develop counselors.

Pastoral/Spiritual Care

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Guidelines

• Clarify that 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. 
• DO NOT:

1. 1. Offer a diagnosis of their physical or mental condition
   2. Give your opinion about any medications they are taking, nor encourage them to discontinue anything they are currently taking.  If they ask you, refer them to the original prescriber.

• If asked what your opinion on their mental state is, you can say, "I am not a professional 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).”

1. Do not      promise anything that you cannot commit to. Also, do not commit GCM or local      church resources to that which you have no authority to do.  For      example:
1. “I       will always be there for you.”
2. “I       will be like your…. (dad, mom, sister, etc….).”
3. “I’m totally       certain that our pastors will meet with you.”
4. “We       can support you financially until you get back on your feet.”
5. “Whatever       it takes to get you well.”

1. When      meeting with people outside your local church, be extra cautious.

1. Refrain from using any speech, mannerisms or physical contact that could be misinterpreted as sexual or romantic.

1. Be very      conscience of setting realistic expectations. In general, you should not      promise unconditional confidentiality because you cannot guarantee it. If      you have any questions regarding this, please consult with your local pastor.     

1. GCM discourages opposite gender ongoing counseling relationships.

1. Having a second adult present when counseling with      a member of the opposite gender or a      minor, will help to      protect against any allegations of sexual      misconduct. (not necessary if we      use the other Option for #8 below)

1. If      there is a real need (maybe obtain your local pastor's counsel to      determine this first) to be alone with a member of the opposite gender,      then if possible do so in a public place like a coffee shop (even if they      are not very private for a private conversation). Also, avoid being alone      with them in a vehicle driving to or from that public place.

Another Option for #8 above:

Avoid counseling members of the opposite gender out of sight and alone. Instead, make sure the counseling session is clearly visible to others. Conduct the session in a room with a window or on a pew in the front of the church out of the hearing of anyone else, or require the presence of another staff person or trusted church member of the same gender as the person being counseled. Counseling in an open venue will eliminate the opportunity for emotional attachment and help to protect against any allegations of sexual misconduct.

1. Have a referral network of professionals who can      provide counseling that falls outside the scope of spiritual counseling.

1. Please make sure you are aware of the Duty To Report requirements in your particular state as it pertains to counseling someone.

1. If the person you are helping is wounded, and      fits into one of the following categories, caution is recommended and you      may need to consider referring them to a licensed counselor:
1. Minors       (< age 18)
2. Easily       pressured by others
3. Hypochondriac
4. Narcissistic
5. Borderline       Personality Disorder – inability to control one’s own emotions
6. Repressed       memories
7. Dissociative       disorders
8. Suicidal
9. Custody       and contested divorce
10. History       of abuse
11. Prior       litigation history
12. Break       or disregard laws with impunity

1. Potential danger signs that you personally may      not be in a healthy place:
1. Feels       attracted to a counselee
2. Feels       strong symbiosis / interdependence with counselee
3. Feels       strong parallels of woundedness with counselee
4. Desires       recognition and praise from peers and / or counselees
5. Asked       to help famous, important, attractive, or wealthy people
6. Feeling       like you are now an expert in counseling
•  Witnesses       a series of dramatic healings

1. 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. 
• DO NOT:
• Offer a diagnosis of their physical or mental condition
• Give your opinion about any medications they are taking, nor encourage them to discontinue anything they are currently taking.  If they ask you, refer them to the original prescriber.
• If asked what your opinion on their mental state is, you can say, "I am not a professional 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).”

1. Do not promise anything that you cannot commit to. Also, do not commit GCM or local church resources to that which you have no authority to do.  For example:

2. When meeting with people outside your local church, be extra cautious.

3. Refrain from using any speech, mannerisms or physical contact that could be misinterpreted as sexual or romantic.

4. Be very conscience of setting realistic expectations. In general, you should not promise unconditional confidentiality because you cannot guarantee it. If you have any questions regarding this, please consult with your local pastor.     

5. GCM discourages opposite gender ongoing counseling relationships.

6. Having a second adult present when counseling with a member of the opposite gender or a minor, will help to protect against any allegations of sexual misconduct. (not necessary if we use the other Option for #8 below)

7. If there is a real need (maybe obtain your local pastor's counsel to determine this first) to be alone with a member of the opposite gender, then if possible do so in a public place like a coffee shop (even if they are not very private for a private conversation). Also, avoid being alone  with them in a vehicle driving to or from that public place.

8. Please make sure you are aware of the Duty To Report requirements in your particular state as it pertains to counseling someone.

9. If the person you are helping is wounded, and fits into one of the following categories, caution is recommended and you may need to consider referring them to a licensed counselor: 

10. Potential danger signs that you personally may not be in a healthy place:

• 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 provide medical advice about any medications.
• If asked for a diagnosis of a mental state, direct the individual to a licensed counselor or a mental health professional.
• Avoid using the title "counseling" if you're not licensed or certified. For example, avoid the label "Pre-Marriage Counseling" if the pastor or staff member doing the sessions is not licensed or credentialed.
• 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 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 is likely a responsibility of the staff member to report this to an appropriate agency. You should not assume a church or clergy exception without prior written verification. 

See: Child welfare policies by state

Standards of Conduct pages

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