lOMoARcPSD|21126671
Critical Article Review
Orientation to Counseling Professional Identity (Liberty
University)
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
Running head: CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 1
Critical Article Review: The Ethics of Prayer in Counseling
Roslyn L. Broadhurst
Liberty University
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 2
Abstract
Many counselors began to recognize how important religion and spirituality were to many of
their clients, and some counselors even began to use prayer as a counseling technique with those
clients who appeared to need prayer during counseling. However, several counselors still believe
using prayer as a counseling technique is unethical and inappropriate when used during
counseling sessions. Therefore, this paper provided a critical review of an article about the use
of prayer as a counseling technique during counseling sessions. To begin, this paper provided an
insightful précis of this article. To continue, this paper provided a reflection of any realizations
that occurred after reading the article, any disagreements based on other articles about prayer in
counseling, or any concerns formulated from personal experiences recalled upon reading this and
other articles. To conclude, this paper provided some ideas for changes to techniques or
strategies that resulted from information gained by reading this article.
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 3
Critical Article Review: The Ethics of Prayer in Counseling
Many counselors recognize the importance of religion and spirituality when counseling
those clients who believe in a higher power or who are spiritual or religious. Some counselors
believe that prayer during counseling can be a powerful counseling technique when used with
certain clients. However, most counselors believe that the use of prayer during counseling is
unethical and inappropriate even when their clients request prayer from them. Therefore, this
paper will provide a critical review of Chet Weld and Karen Eriksen’s 2007 article titled The
Ethics of Prayer in Counseling that discusses the pros and cons of praying with clients during
counseling sessions. This paper provides an insightful summary of the article, a critique of one’s
reaction to the article, any thoughts one has based on what others believe, and any changes to
one’s techniques or strategies based on information gained from reading this article.
Summary
Most mental health professionals know how important spirituality is for many of their
clients; and they claim to be religious, believe spirituality is relevant to their lives, and admit
they pray daily. In fact, most Christian counselors admit they pray for or with their clients upon
request during their sessions. As per Weld and Eriksen (2007), researchers discovered 78% of
counselors working in Christian counseling centers believe prayer is relevant in counseling, and
100% of Christian counselors who have a private practice believe prayer can be a powerful
counseling technique and say they will pray with or for clients when they deem prayer to be
necessary for their clients’ mental well-being (Weld & Eriksen, 2007, p. 126). Finally, Weld and
Eriksen (2007) stated that 11% of secular counselors believe prayer is appropriate in counseling,
while 24% said they pray for their clients, and seven percent pray with their clients (p. 126).
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 4
Therefore, the article appears to profess that praying for or with clients depends on the beliefs of
each counselor.
The article continues with a discussion of the ACA Code of Ethics and its standing on
prayer within counseling sessions. Therefore, the initial assessment is that because counselors
and their clients may have major differences in their religious or spiritual beliefs, even when they
practice the same religion or are members of the same “house of worship”, counselors should not
assume they have the same beliefs and values as their clients (Weld & Eriksen, 2007, p. 127).
Counselors need to ask clients about their specific beliefs concerning prayer in counseling. At
the very least, counselors should wait until their clients express the need for prayer during
counseling. As per the ACA Code of Ethics (American Counseling Association [ACA], 2014), if
no harm comes to a client (Section A.4.a.), and the counselor deems that prayer will be beneficial
to the client’s mental well-being (Section A.1.a.), prayer is ethical and appropriate. Therefore, if
a discussion about religious or spiritual beliefs, or beliefs about prayer, will present no harm to
the clients, it is not unethical or inappropriate for counselors to pray for or with their clients
before, during, or after the counseling session.
Reflection
This article was an insightful and enjoyable review of an ethical study of spirituality and
prayer within counseling. After reading the article, one reflected on her personal beliefs, and
whether she would feel comfortable praying with a client, or if she believes prayer or discussions
about religion and spirituality are ethical or appropriate during counseling. Upon further
reflection, one does believe, quite strongly, that if a client brings up the topic of religion and
spirituality, or requests prayer during a counseling session, and one deems the topic to be safe
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 5
(i.e., will not cause harm to the client) then she will discuss the topic with the client, and will
pray with and for the client.
A long-standing debate among counselors of the appropriateness of prayer and
discussions about religion and spirituality in counseling exist. This debate led to hours of
research by the article’s authors in determining the legitimacy that many counselors, both secular
and Christian, believe in the healing power of prayer and concluded that spirituality and prayer
are ethical and appropriate. One’s experience comes from knowing that prayer helps her when
nothing else will.
This debate brought about remarks by counselors on both sides. One counselor that
believes prayer is unethical, McKinnis (2011), equates prayer with sexual activities when he
says, “Unless sex is considered more significant than God, the spiritual dimension (or whatever
name you give the transcendent), then one must never engage a client in activities which for
them directly call upon the transcendent” (para. 2). He continues his assessment of pray in
counseling by stating that like sex, prayer is worthy of abstinence. One does not agree with this
assessment and neither does Neace (2011), who says that “praying with clients, when executed
appropriately, is in fact ethical” (para. 1). He continues his assessment of praying with clients by
debunking McKinnis’ assessment and providing his reasons for declaring that prayer is ethical
and appropriate. One does agree with his assessment, but only if no harm comes to any client
when they pray with counselors.
Action
The first step to making changes in counseling is to become self-aware about one’s
personal beliefs concerning prayer during counseling. Coppock, Huss, Gleason, Carney, and
Garnham (n.d.) state that, “Self awareness is a key to functioning as an effective and ethical
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 6
counselor” (p. 6). The second step is to reflect on the topic of prayer during counseling to
determine one’s beliefs. One has never practiced counseling as a professional, so she has
nothing on which to base her techniques or strategies. She must base them in part on those
whose lives changed because of her influence on them and in part on what she believes the
counselors she saw could have done differently when they tried to help her but were
unsuccessful.
There was a young man whom one helped years ago. He was addicted to alcohol and
cocaine, and knew he needed help, but was afraid to talk to his parents. He asked one for help,
and she spent several months helping him to realize that he needed to discuss his addiction with
his parents. Eventually, she went with him to offer emotional support as he told his parents about
his addiction. They asked her to pray with them for understanding, patience, and guidance,
which she did, and within two weeks he was in a rehab facility. He overcame his addiction, and
now has a wonderful wife and four children.
One had a breakdown a few years ago. She tried to take her own life but failed, and the
doctor who treated her at the emergency room (ER) urged her to admit herself to the Behavioral
Health Unit (BHU). During her stay, she asked her therapist to pray with her, but the counselor
refused saying it was inappropriate. When her psychiatrist released her from the hospital two
weeks later, she had several medications to take daily, but emotionally was no better than the day
she tried to end her life. Then one day, while listening to a local Christian radio program, a song
touched her heart. She began to cry and pray. That day she began her journey to better mental
health with Christ in her heart. She knows that if her therapist at BHU had prayed with her the
day she requested it, it would not have taken as long as it did for her to renew her relationship
with God. She cried out for help that day, and her counselor refused to help her; therefore, one
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 7
knows that when she becomes a counselor, and a client requests prayer during counseling, she
will oblige the client, if she determines that prayer will help. After all, the client’s well-being is
the key to helping the client successfully.
lOMoARcPSD|21126671
CRITICAL ARTICLE REVIEW 8
References
American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). ACA code of ethics
[Brochure]. counseling.org. Retrieved from
https://www.counseling.org/docs/default- source/ethics/2014-aca-code-of-
ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=fde89426_5
Coppock, T. E., Huss, S., Gleason, A. M., Carney, K. E., & Garnham, S. (n.d.).
Ethical guidelines for the use of prayer in counseling. Retrieved from
https://www.shsu.edu/dotAsset/0d072942-dd0e-4567-a793-544546b57d57.pdf
McKinnis, R. (2011, May 31). Should I ever pray with my client? [Weblog comment].
American Counseling Association (ACA), ACA Member Blogs. Retrieved from
https://www.counseling.org/news/aca-blogs/aca-member-blogs/aca-member-
blogs/2011/05/31/should-i-ever-pray-with-my-client-
Neace, R. T. (2011, June 14). Prayer in therapy: An ethical primer [Weblog comment]. American
Counseling Association (ACA), ACA Member Blogs. Retrieved from
https://www.counseling.org/news/aca-blogs/aca-member-blogs/aca-member-
blogs/2011/06/14/prayer-in-therapy-an-ethical-primer
Weld, C. & Eriksen K. (2007). The ethics of prayer in counseling. Counseling and Values,
51(2), 125-138. Retrieved from https://search-proquest-
com.ezproxy.liberty.edu/docview/207570064?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=12085
