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?

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Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:
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Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/