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Pastoral Care, Guidance to members
Many therapists who work holistically, and particularly in the "healing" field feel they have a spiritual or faith based dimension to their practice.
Some therapists actively promote a spiritual "path", "religion", "faith" or "leaning" as part of their practice and healing provision.
It is of particular importance that such therapists ensure adherence to the Healing NOS to ensure credibility in their practice, since certain elements of the general public may be uncertain as to the inference that such spiritual leaning brings.
It is fully recognised by the Society that faith and related spiritual beliefs are a completely appropriate part of the healing process and of pastoral counselling or care. It is also however recognised by the Society that there is often a belief in the media and General Public that faith and competence do not always go together.
Members are therefore advised to clearly indicate adherence to the relevant NOS, list appropriate qualifications and therefore show beyond doubt that you are a fully qualified professional. This may not deflect all criticism from people determined to criticize faith based practice, but it does evidence a practice based on competence, qualification and recognised standards.
Members are reminded of the following codes of professional conduct:
13.
Religious
awards and titles
may only be quoted where faith or pastoral issues play a part in
therapy processes, and the source and relevance must be stated.
If you are going to use a title of Reverend, Rev, Revd, Pastor, Druid, Priest, Priestess, Shaman, Lord, Lady, Healing Minister, Pastoral Minister or any other faith based title, then please use this with care according to the rules of the Society. The Society recognizes that in spiritual philosophy the person is "ordained by God" (or other Deity) and not by mankind. However for the sake of advertising and trading standards, the use of any title that is not bestowed by an organisation opens the therapist or healer to accusation and criticism.
In the Secular world the use of the above titles is seen as a "job title" more than a "calling" and we must be careful not to invite suspicion or detract from the good name of the industry as a whole.
Thus the clear statement in point 13 that the source of such titles must be clearly stated. Self awarded titles are not seen as ethical by the Society. The use of such a title must be connected to a "source" such as a "church", "temple", "coven" or other organisation, and must carry an ethical code of conduct and actual identifiable "belief". Internet ordination is considered acceptable as long as the church or organisation:
- Adheres to a moral code and will dismiss members if they act unethically
- Is a recognised organisation or body
- Can be contacted or quoted as a reference point
The Church of Seven Planes is one such Internet based religious body that provides support, a moral code and is well known, but which is multi-faith and multi-disciplined. A link can be found on the links page of this site.
As for point 14, you must be careful to only quote any such titles where it actually has relevance to the advertising or topic. Faith qualifications and titles are relevant to faith issues and faith based therapies. Thus they should not be misrepresentated in regard to secular matters. Also titles such as "Minister" or "Revd" should not be misrepresentated as qualifications. Honorary religious or earned religious qualifications should clearly be stated as such. For example:
- DD religious doctorates are completely honorary and are NOT a qualification. Therefore they should be stated as such, if mentioned at all. They should normally only be mentioned in a Biography or personnel description section and not in direct advertising.
- PhD religious doctorates, MA, BA etc should all be clearly explained, stating whether the award is honourary, earned and whether it is academically accredited or a religious award.
- Professorships or teaching awards should be in a relevant topic, active (or stated as honourary) and for a UK Chair (or UK Division) of a Seminary College or University.
Generally it is advised NOT to quote DD awards. It is also generally advised with earned religious awards to quote them in full and state that they are "earned religious awards from a Seminary College and not an award relating to an academic subject". Different wording may be employed as long as it is clear and appropriate.
The safest option is to only state awards of a faith based nature in a biography section where you can clearly explain them, without any fear of misinterpretation, making reference to them otherwise only when discussing matters where they are directly relevant.
Please remember that a wide range of "degree mills" and "diploma mills" exist on the Internet, many hiding behind rules in the USA designed to allow religious awards. This unfortunately tarnishes the reputation of real and appropriate faith based awards, since the general public is used to being bombarded with inappropriate titles and apparently "fake" awards. You are reminded that using such "fake" or "bought" awards is unethical under the Society's rules, and that legitimate awards must be used both according to the Society's rules, and trading standards in the UK.
Where the member adheres to the above rules and recommendations, the SHTC will support them against any attempt at discrimination on the basis of religion or faith. We actively support multifaith and specific faith healing and therapy and the right of all faiths to declare themselves and to help others.