A questioner asked: We want our patients to receive chaplain services and
want to ensure that our patients are not proselytized. How can we do this?
Concerning Proselytization:
The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy (CPSP) accredits Clinical Pastoral Education Training programs and certifies Board Certified Clinical Chaplains. We trust that the following would address some of the concerns about proselytization:
The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy (CPSP) accredits Clinical Pastoral Education Training programs and certifies Board Certified Clinical Chaplains. We trust that the following would address some of the concerns about proselytization:
From the CPSP Code of Professional Ethics:
Respect:
Colleagues, students, clients, parishioners, and patients deserve our
respect. Therefore, members will not proselytize nor impose their own
theologies on others. CPSP members will refrain from exploiting relationships
or using them to their own advantage. Exploitation includes emotional,
financial, sexual, and/or social gain. Records, evaluations, personal notes,
and informational conversations will be kept confidential.
Competency in Pastoral Care/Counseling:
The basic requirements in CPSP for certification as Board Certified
Clinical Chaplain:
1. The characterological make-up for ministry, including an ability to
bond with others, an ability to give attention to others, and a tolerance for
diverse religious traditions and values.
2. Basic self-understanding, so as to limit unconscious imposition of
one’s own agenda on others.
3. Endorsement by a faith-group community to perform ministry.
4. 1600 hours of clinically supervised ministry or a year of Clinical
Pastoral Training.
5. Continuing education and annual recertification.
6. A Master of Divinity degree or equivalent, which means three years of
post-graduate academic study.
Access to Pastoral Care/Counseling:
CPSP
affirms the right of the of patients and their loved ones to have access to
pastoral care/counseling that is directed in accordance with the patient's and
their family's faith tradition.
CPSP affirms the right of the hospice patient to have that care provided by a religious professional from the patient's own faith tradition.
CPSP affirms the right of the hospice patient to have that care provided by a religious professional from the patient's own faith tradition.
CPSP
advocates that religious professionals employed by hospitals or hospice
programs work cooperatively with parish clergy so as to facilitate ongoing
pastoral support by community clergy.
CPSP
acknowledges the patient's right to refuse the provision of pastoral services.
Pastoral Evaluation in the Clinical Pastoral Tradition:
Pastoral Evaluation in the Clinical Pastoral Tradition:
CPSP
affirms that pastoral care/counseling, in the clinical pastoral tradition, must
include personal evaluation with the specific purpose of bringing the
appropriate pastoral resources to bear. CPSP advocates for a dynamic process of
pastoral assessment over against the use of a written instrument that requires
nothing more than the recording of a patient’s answer to a predetermined set of
questions. CPSP affirms the communication of the pastoral evaluation of the
patient’s and family’s pastoral needs to the interdisciplinary team.
CPSP
supports the patient’s right to be a partner in their treatment plan so as to determine the goals of the care.
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