Law For The Christian Counselor

ContentsPart I The Grave New World of Christian Counseling LiabilityPart II Sexual Misconduct in Christian CounselingPart III Confidentiality and Its Many ExceptionsPart IV The Counseling Process: Managing Liability RiskPart V Special Counseling Modes and Controversial CasesPart VI Corporate Risks and Counseling CredentialsPart VII The Maturation of the Christian Counseling Profession

Contents Part IThe Grave New World of Christian Counseling Liability Part IISexual Misconduct in Christian Counseling Part IIIConfidentiality and Its Many Exceptions Part IVThe Counseling Process: Managing Liability Risk Part VSpecial Counseling Modes and Controversial Cases Part VICorporate Risks and Counseling Credentials Part VIIThe Maturation of the Christian Counseling Profession

What you don't know can hurt you. Do you know: What constitutes "clergy malpractice" and "negligent counseling"? What is "duty of care"? When do you break confidentiality? When are you breaking the law? What are the legal ramifications of church discipline? What is your responsibility in child abuse cases? Can you use counseling illustrations in your sermons? If you are a pastor or counselor, or are in any counseling ministry, this may be the most important new book you will read this year. In this "age of litigation" an explosive new area of law -- suing churches -- is impacting Christians. How do these lawsuits affect pastors and counselors? Seve Levicoff's scholarly, yet easy to read, Christian Counseling and the Law, summons all Christian counselors to study the law themselves so that they can be "as shrewd as serpents and as innocent as doves" and thereby "fight the good fight of faith" in the secular arena. This is not a book filled with stilted legalese and lofty phrases. It is a straightforward, well-documented resource for the Christian counselor. When you put it down -- if you can -- you will probably say, "That was just what I needed." - Flyleaf.

A client raises spiritual questions. Can a Christian therapist working in a government agency talk with a client about faith? A young couple with two children asks a Christian counselor to help them negotiate an end to their marriage. What responsibility does the counselor have to try to repair the relationship? A youth group member confidentially reveals to the pastor that he is taking drugs. Should the pastor tell the boy's parents? A counselor who teaches a college course has a client show up for class. What should she do? These are just a few of the complex dilemmas that therapists, counselors and pastors face nearly every day. Handling these situations appropriately is critical for both the client's progress and the professional's personal credibility and protection from liability. State and federal codes, professional association statements and denominational guidelines have been drawn up to address ethical issues like competence, confidentiality, multiple relationships, public statements, third parties and documentation. In this book you'll find them all compiled and interpreted in light of Christian faith and practice. Written by qualified professional counselors and respected academic instructors, this book is an indispensable resource for understanding and applying ethics in Christian counseling today.

Pastors and biblical counselors who are seeking to faithfully lead, mentor, and guide their flocks in a rapidly changing cultural landscape will find clear direction and guidance from a team of Christian lawyers.

Seasoned counselors and professors Tim Clinton and Ron Hawkins provide a landmark reference that offers a capstone definition of the emerging profession and ministry of the Christian counselor. Appropriate for professional counselors, lay counselors, pastors, students, and teachers, it includes nearly 300 entries by nearly 100 top Christian counselors. This practical guide focuses on functional aspects of Christian counseling and explores such important topics as...Christian counseling as a profession, ministry, and lay ministry; Spiritual and theological roots; Social, emotional, and relational issues; Skills and essentials in Christian helping; Ethical and legal considerations; Intake, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning; and Premarital counseling, family therapy, and substance abuse. Counselors will also find up-to-date information on solution-based brief therapy, cognitive therapy and biblical truth, and trauma and crisis intervention. An essential resource for maintaining a broad and up-to-date perspective on helping others.

“Equipping the body of Christ for personal ministry has been Bob’s life work. This practical, step-by-step manual is the mature fruit of that lifelong commitment.” —Paul David Tripp, author of Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hand Behind every spiritually fit church are leaders in the constant process of preparing other members to become counselors who nurture “one-another ministry.” But the success of this mission requires a practical, results-driven process for training the next generation to serve. In Equipping Biblical Counselors, pastor and counselor Bob Kellemen shares a proven strategy for envisioning, enlisting, equipping, and empowering new Christian counselors—a practical four-step process he has spent decades refining. With this book, Dr. Kellemen humbly comes alongside church leaders to help them assess their congregation’s strengths and weaknesses shepherd new leaders with confidence and wisdom encourage the consistent spiritual growth God longs to see in his followers Invest where it matters most! Equipping Biblical Counselors reveals the steps ministry leaders can take to fulfill the calling in Ephesians 4:11-16 to embolden the body of Christ to continue changing lives with his unchanging truth.