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Journal of Counseling & Development

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Editor: Richard S. Balkin
Print ISSN: 0748-9633 Online ISSN: 1556-6676
Impact Factor: 1.356

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Life Sciences


June 09, 2016

Experts Address How to Affirm Both Religious and Sexual Identities in Counselor Accreditation Programs

 

In a recent scholarly exchange of ideas, experts address how the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) honors both religious diversity and sexual orientation diversity in its accrediting practices. CACREP is the largest accrediting agency for counseling programs within the United States and the only professional body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation to accredit master’s programs in school counseling; clinical mental health counseling; and marriage, couple, and family counseling, as well as doctoral programs in counselor education and supervision.

 

The experts ask, How should CACREP-accredited programs function when they are housed within certain faith-based and other institutions that are non-affirming of lesbian, gay, bisexual sexual, and transgender individuals?

 

While the authors of the separate articles differ in various respects, they are in agreement that there is no place within the counseling profession for students to fear expulsion from a CACREP-accredited program because of their sexual orientation. They also agree that protections for sexual minorities can thrive with protections for religious liberties.

 

The articles are published in the Journal of Counseling and Development.

 

Articles:

Ethical Issues Raised by CACREP Accreditation of Programs Within Institutions That Disaffirm or Disallow Diverse Sexual Orientations

CACREP Accreditation, Ethics, and the Affirmation of Both Religious and Sexual Identities: A Response to Smith and Okech

Negotiating CACREP Accreditation Practices, Religious Diversity, and Sexual Orientation Diversity: A Rejoinder to Sells and Hagedorn