How Can You Create an Ethical Faith-Based Practice? An Interview with Whitney Owens, LPC

Curt and Katie interview Whitney Owens, LPC of Wise Practice, about faith-based practice. We look at what therapists can get wrong when considering incorporating faith into therapy. We also talk about what to do (and NOT do) when creating a faith-based therapy practice, specifically talking about ethics, using faith as a tool when requested, and the harm caused when therapists have a religious agenda in session. 

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode, we talk about faith-based therapy practices

Faith is a big part of many people’s lives. It is important for therapists to understand how to use faith as a resource in therapy. Further, there are Christian, faith-based therapists who can identify how best to remain within their ethics as a therapist when incorporating faith into therapy.

What can therapists get wrong when creating a faith-based therapy practice?

·      Therapists become unethical when they try to convert clients to Christianity in therapy

·      When therapists mismatch how much clients want to include faith and belief

·      Therapists are not supposed to have an agenda for how their clients grow and change

·      Conversion Therapy (e.g., Sexual Orientation Change Efforts, Anti-trans therapy) are illegal and wrong, regardless of your beliefs or faith

·      Telling clients what to do about “moral” issues

·      Refusing to work with people based on “morals”

What can therapists do to create an ethical faith-based practice?

·      Using faith as a tool in therapy

·      Letting clients dictate how faith is incorporated in therapy

·      Providing clients space to interpret the bible or create the lives that they want to create

·      Addressing our own bias

·      Helping clients to make their own decisions

·      Getting supervision and even joining secular consultation groups

·      Doing the work to overcome bias and increase inclusion and affirmative practices

What are the benefits of incorporating faith into therapy and therapy practices?

·      When therapists and clients share faith and beliefs, there can be an alignment of lived experience

·      Therapists can extend their faith into the work to be more aligned (as long as they remain ethical in how they incorporate it into practice)

·      Making business decisions that are both faith-based and ethical

Resources for Modern Therapists mentioned in this Podcast Episode:

We’ve pulled together resources mentioned in this episode and put together some handy-dandy links. Please note that some of the links below may be affiliate links, so if you purchase after clicking below, we may get a little bit of cash in our pockets. We thank you in advance!

Wise Practice Summit

Wise Practice Podcast

Relevant Episodes of MTSG Podcast:

Am I Honoring My Personal Values OR Am I Discriminating? An exploration of ethics for modern therapists

What Therapists Need to Know About Abortion and Termination for Medical Reasons: An Interview with Jane Armstrong, LCSW

The Practicalities of Mental Health and Gender Affirming Care for Trans Youth: An Interview with Jordan Held, LCSW

What Goes in Your Notes? Interstate therapy practice and documentation for clients considering abortion or gender affirming care

Has Therapy Become the New Religion?

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/