In my training and practice in psychology, I have attempted to reconcile my sense of professional ethics with my spirituality. By Christ, we are called upon to be the “salt and light” of the world. However, as healthcare professionals, we are meant to disentangle our personal beliefs from our professional conduct.
Entwistle (2015) talks about the major obstacles to integrating our worldview into our counseling. One of these obstacles is the absence of a “holistic theology,” which teaches us that all life is given by, and belongs to, God. I believe that a holistic theology can help alleviate the tension that I feel coming from the conflict between professional ethics and personal belief. When we keep sight of this holistic theology, the conflict disappears. We can integrate a holistic view into our counseling ministry when we remember that we are enjoined by God to treat each person with love and compassion. This theological viewpoint is wholly compatible with the ethical exhortations of our profession.
Thus, adhering to an integrationist perspective of counseling and psychology will relieve the tension between personal belief and professional responsibility. With this personal integration, we are able to simultaneously be followers of Christ, devoting our passions, abilities, and talents to Him, and also members of a secular society, which has secular expectations for our professional conduct (Clinton & Hawkins, 2011). Christ provides us with a clear vision of what we must do as ministers, counselors, and psychologists. Fellowship in Christ gives us a spirituality that does not necessarily have to be in conflict with the teachings and expectations of the nonspiritual world. A holistic theological perspective allows us to integrate our personal beliefs into our work without having to sacrifice either our personal sense of morality and ethics or our sense of professionalism.
References
Clinton, T., & Hawkins, R. (2011). The popular encyclopedia of Christian counseling: An indispensable tool for helping people with their problems. Harvest House Publishers.
Entwistle, D. N. (2015). Integrative approaches to psychology and Christianity: An introduction to worldview issues, philosophical foundations, and models of integration. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
