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Comparison of Korean and American Ethical Standards in Counseling

  • Journal of Counseling and Gospel
  • Abbr : Jocag
  • 2014, 22(1), pp.9-50
  • DOI : 10.17841/jocag.2014.22.1.9
  • Publisher : Korean Evangelical Counseling Society
  • Research Area : Humanities > Christian Theology > Pastoral Counseling
  • Received : April 20, 2014
  • Accepted : May 8, 2014

Kim Hwacha 1

1World Mission University

Candidate

ABSTRACT

Many of Korean counseling associations borrowed their ethical standards from either the United States of America or Germany. So did Korean Christian counseling associations. For this reason, Christian counseling associations in Korea have not been able to identify their own Christian ethical principles and standards in counseling appropriate to their cultures. As professional Christian counseling has been developed in Korea, the number of Christian counselors hear also increases. It is evident that they need biblically-oriented ethical Christian counseling principles and standards in order to deal with various ethical dilemmas in the field. This study aimed to review and compare ethical principles and standards between Korean versus the USA as well as Christian versus non-Christian perspectives. For this purpose, several American and Korean ethical principles and standards were compared. American ethics are from American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, Christian Association for Psychological Studies, and American Association of Christian Counselors. Korean ethical principles and standards are from Korean Psychological Association, Korean Counseling Psychology Association, Korean Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association, and Korean Pastoral Counseling Association. In comparison with ethical standards in the USA, which are very specific and congruent with legal regulations, those in Korea do not appear to be concrete. In addition, Korean laws and regulations for counselors have not been established well. Biblical and ethical principles were reviewed from several sources. The suggested ethical principles include, but not limited to, God's words, God's authority, Jesus Christ as a modeling figure, work of the Holy Spirit, connection with church and community, sanctification, Christian leadership, commitment, social responsibility, and so forth. Christian ethical principles need to be comprehensive enough to embrace secular ethical principles suggested by professional associations. For ethical counseling, therapists need to make an ethical decision at any situation. Several ethical decision-making models were reviewed in order to help Christian counselors develop rational thought process including referencing ethical standards and legal regulations, identify alternative options, evaluate options, consult with others, and reflect outcomes. In addition, ethical characters are necessary for one to be an ethical Christian counselor. It is integral that Christian therapists consider their motivation, integrity, commitment, maturity, and so forth. Moral characters are critically important to Christian counselors which is congruent to biblical teaching. Moral characters are demonstrated by Jesus Christ and continuously emphasized throughout the Bible. Among various ethical issues, the most frequent ones were discussed according to ethical standards. In terms of competence, counselors and psychologists needs to assure their ability to provide psychological services based on their education, training, supervision, and license. It is recommended to maintain their competence through continuing education. It is very important for Christian counselors to keep their competence because they are called to their profession by God. Two critical issues in a therapeutic relationship were reviewed and discussed according to their ethical standards. First, ethical and unethical dual relationships were discussed. Considering cultural differences between Korean and the USA, it can be viewed slightly differently. However, the benefit of clients and objectivity of therapist are considered utmost in dealing with dual relationship issues. Second, sexual relationship between therapist and client was reviewed according to its ethical standards and legal responsibility. Signs of dangerous relationships were reviewed and suggestions were made on how to increase awareness of personal issues and prevent these issues. Lastly, confidentiality and its limits were reviewed with related ethical standards.

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