Nonsectarian Counseling in Churches: A Delicate Balance

This account of the author's 2 contrasting experiences as a church counselor raises awareness regarding counseling in new venues and in response to congregational and community needs. Church members responded to the invitation to come to counseling before problems became crises; the majority of the members explored midlife and other developmental issues. Specific concerns related to confidentiality and privacy, counselor values and attitudes, the extent of pro bono services, the counselor's relationship with clerics, counseling of clerics, church membership, outreach, and boundaries are addressed, as well as the effective use of discussion groups for youth, men, women, and parents in building a sense of community.