Augusta State University student

Good day folks, I hope everyone is having a good day. Today I would like to talk to you a very important case that was recently decided in federal court. This is the case of Jennifer Keaton. This case was introduced to me by a colleague from my program. This individual was a mental health counselor student, Augusta State University, a University in the state of Georgia. She was expelled from a counseling program for not being able to follow guidelines set by the program. She is a Christian, who believes that homosexuality is morally wrong. She uses the Bible as a backup to what she believes. She made some statements about homosexuals, that she would not be able to provide treatment to its population because of her religious beliefs. She would also reflect the values and beliefs that she has about the situation on the client's that she would be counseling.

I am not sure about what everyone believes about this subject. And I am not asking you to change the beliefs about homosexuality. I am also a Christian. I also do not believe the same things that Jennifer.is about homosexuality. My religious believes is something that is very important to me. Having said that, I do agree with the decision to expel the student from the training program. Counseling professionals have a duty to keep your values in check. You must not make value judgments against your client. I would say this, even if I believe what Jennifer believe. My believes have been challenged since I've been in a mental health counseling program. I have had the opportunity to grow both in my professional life, and in my personal life. We cannot place values on to the clients that we provide treatment to. This has not what we do. What we do is facilitate the process that allows the client to engage in change. What we do is to provide a safe space, so client can be allowed to explore the really difficult issues. We are not people that tell other people what to do. We also don't have to agree with everything our clients to. But we must provide space for personal growth. Yes I do believe we can also integrate spiritual beliefs in the counseling relationship, but only if the client allows us to. And we must not place value judgments on to clients. This is exactly what Keaton said she was going to you. Professionals have a duty to be guardians of a profession's, that is very unique. There is nothing like a mental health counseling relationship. I agree with the decision to expel Jennifer Keaton from Augusta State University. Not because of what she believes, but because she was not able to provide effective treatment to potential clients. She was not able to separate what she believes, and the professional obligation that she has. This is a absolute must. This is a profession that requires you to do that.

I would also say that she was not using appropriate treatment options, they have not been scientifically proven.