¶ … Zinbauer and Pargament (2000). The counselor ontologically stands in a different mode to the client and has his or her values. This necessarily extends to religion, or lack of it, and the problem may be that even though the counselor seeks not to impose his values on the client, his or her values and ways of thinking covertly rub off and may repel or influence the client. Many counselors deal with this problem by adopting a certain methodology that guides them, for instance a counselor may choose the humanistic approach and closely adhere to Carl Roger's prescription of assuming a non-judgmental client-oriented position and refraining from directing the client in any which way. Humanism is a general approach that refers to the counseling methodology in general.

Religion is a subject that may often -- to some extent or other -- creep into the session. There are -- the authors suggest -- four archetypes in which counselors may choose to address these religious concerns. These are via: rejectionism, exclusivism, constructivism, or pluralism.

a. Rejectionism is epitomized by psychodynamics where Freud posits that religion is a placebo of man and acts as escape from his problem. The counselor with the rejectionist approach will seek to abnegate or override religious concerns excusing them away or reducing them to other phenomena.

b. Exclusivism is the holier-than-thou approach where the counselor, even though apparently listing to the client, nonetheless believes that his religion and way of thinking is the exclusive and fundamental truth. The therapist may even seek to admonish, direct, or correct the client believing that by doing so he is helping his soul.

c. Constructivism is the belief that each individual constructs his or her reality and, therefore, that each sees religion in his particular way. Constructivism is similar to pluralism in that

Pluralism believes that there are many ways to God and each is equally valid.
Zinbauer and Pargament (2000) recommend that the pastoral counselor -- or any counselor for that matter who deals with religious concerns would be advised to reject the former two approaches and adopt the latter two. Using constructivism and pluralism as his guiding methodologies will attract rather than repel clients and encourage them to articulate their religious concerns.

Interact

Even though constructivism and pluralism are admirable approaches to obtaining and practicing open-mindedness (and the one seems similar to the other), it seems to me that a counselor's true feelings will anyways seep out to the client try as he might to hide them.

Just as the counselor is aware of the client's feelings and communication, so, too, in the intimacy for the counseling setting, is the client aware of the counselor's innuendoes and the therapist's value system is bound to slip through.

The counselor is ontologically separate from the client. He or she will never know his true reality. Howsoever a counselor feels on religion (and even though she may claim plurality, she still naturally considers her approach or lack of approach best), this will slip through. One has to sincerely believe in constructivism and pluralism in order to preach it, but it may be that assuming a certain methodology is insufficient. The counselor has to practice that too.

Application

It seems to me that the best way to gain and internalize a constructivist and pluralist demeanor is to read a wide spectrum of literature and firsthand accounts of other religions as well as to unreservedly interact with a broad range of different others. An inquisitive mind -- sincerely wishing to know the reasons for other beliefs is also a help as is active intermingling with ethnic…