> The most painful case I had in this regard was a > man who had strong Catholic religious beliefs-who > believed deeply that homosexual urges and behavior > were sinful and yet who experienced uncontrollable > homosexual desires. His choices were to drink > himself into sever alcoholism or kill himself if > he didn't alter his worldview. Do you try to > alter the world view or watch him die slowly or > more quickly-perhaps taking someone else with him?
I don't think it is appropriate or ethical to "try to alter the worldview" of the client. See Principle D of the APA Ethics Code. To me, that would imply that you know what is best for the client and you are try to impose your worldview on him. In the above case, after you dealt with any immediate crises and risks to his life or the life of others, you would help the client explore and deepen/refine/change his worldview, help him gain greater awareness and ownership of his choices in life, and help him through the process of making changes in his life. Maybe through the process of assimilation or accomodation he deepens or matures his worldview. Maybe he reaches the conclusion that parts of his worldview no longer fit him and he refines parts of his worldview. Maybe he makes the decision that his underlying worldview no longer fits him anymore and he replaces it altogether with another worldview. I've had gay male clients that have abandoned their Christian faith and I've had gay male clients whose Christian faith has been strengthened. I have my own personal beliefs about the truthfulness of a Christian worldview, but it is not my role to force that on clients who decide not to embrace a similar worldview. My role is to model love and grace to my clients and offer them an opportunity for redemption and transformation. I believe that is consistent with my ethical obligation as a psychologist. I also believe it is consistent with my role as a Christian not to force others or make others accept my beliefs (although the Christian church historically has been guilty of this). Granted, the therapy process is much more complex than what I've presented above, but I wanted to offer some response. I'm not quite sure how this topic came up, but I think it was related to the usefulness or practicality of conducting research on the psychology of religion. Actually, it is not uncommon for people to present these kinds of scenarios to me when they find out that I'm a Christian and a psychologist. These hypothetical (or real) case scenarios that are presented to me usually involve a client who is gay and usually involve two equally distasteful responses from which I'm asked to choose, such as "alter his worldview" or "watch him die." Kind of a lose-lose proposition from the very beginning. The reality of the situation is that the therapeutic relationship, like all relationships, is quite complex, and therapists should treat all people with the fundamental dignity, respect, and honor that they deserve. I do have a serious question, though. Why doesn't anyone ever present a hypothetical situation where the psychologist is a passionate atheist (or secular humanist) who holds disdain or pity for his overly religious client, pathologizes him for his commitment to his faith, and tries to get him to give up his nutty religious beliefs and accept a more secular worldview. I guess that situation just never occurs in real life... I also wonder why we don't hear too many cases about how we need to get our orthodox Jewish clients to give up their silly and outdated religious convictions, or our Native American clients to stop worshipping animals and wearing such garish religious symbols, or our clients who have adapted the latest Deepak-Chopra New Age mumbo-jumbo to give up the incense burning and crystal wearing, or our Hindu clients to just eat a stinking hamburger for crying out loud! Does this sound offensive and insensitive? Relax, I'm just trying to make a point and don't personally believe any of this. But that is how it makes Christians feel when their faith is compared to "believing in fairy tales" or when they are dehumanized and treated as stereotypes. Okay, if you made it this far, thanks for letting me vent. I promise that no offense is meant, it's just been a long day. Besides, if I can vent in this post, then I don't have to kick the dog when I get home... Rod p.s. The dog comment was a joke, too. I love my little girls! ______________________________________________ Roderick D. Hetzel, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Psychology LeTourneau University President-Elect, Division 51 American Psychological Association Department of Psychology LeTourneau University Post Office Box 7001 2100 South Mobberly Avenue Longview, Texas 75607-7001 Office: Heath-Hardwick Hall 115 Phone: 903-233-3312 Fax: 903-233-3246 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Homepage: http://www.letu.edu/people/rodhetzel --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.325 / Virus Database: 182 - Release Date: 2/19/2002 --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.325 / Virus Database: 182 - Release Date: 2/19/2002 --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
