Since It's Slow: WDYT?

VarunaTT

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/03/12/new-tennessee-bill-would-allow-christian-grad-student-counselors-to-refuse-lgbt-clients/

This is coming from an atheist blogger, so slanted.

TL;DR version:  Graduate level counseling student refuses to treat suicidal gay patient b/c conflict w/her faith.  She refuses to undergo LGBT counseling, gets kicked out of program.  Sues, loses, files appeal, they settle (to my knowledge, she is still not back in the program, it was just a monetary settlement).

Michigan House passed bill protecting her rights to not counsel this student, Senate never acted on it, so it didn't pass.  Tennessee is attempting the same thing.

Thoughts on situation?

Wzz

her faith must not be that strong if she felt the gay student should just kill themself since she couldn't help him. that right there is why christians have a bad reputation.

*Barbie*

the GLBT student is probably better off being counseled by someone who is not going to treat them like a second class citizen because of their lifestyle. 

I would say that since she's not a medical professional, then sure, legally allow her to discriminate openly. (I'm not saying that i agree with her doing it, but just with her right to refuse to counsel someone.) If it was a psychiatrist, then i'd take an issue with it because it goes beyond basic human decency and also goes against their hippocratic oath. 

Wzz

the only problem with that, barbie, is who knows what the self-worth is of the gay student. they may not make it to another counselor.

i agree she should have been kicked out of the program. if she isn't going to help people, and is allowe dto have her own agenda, then she isn't doing her job.

dharmabunny

My thoughts. Eff TN. Just overall.

Wzz

but, you don't pay for trash removal in TN!

DG1

I'd love to know where she thinks she's going to find a patient who 100% agrees with her faith. She's going to come across adulterers, people having premarital sex, people who use birth control, people who lie, cheat, and steal. The list is endless. 

If she wants to do Christian counseling, that's always an option. You don't need to go to grad school for that, though. 

NOLABridesmaid

This reminds me of the nurse on the 911 call that didn't want to help the dying elderly lady. I think your first response should be to help a person in crisis situation. They are in need and you are able to help them through a hard time in their life. 

Now, once the crisis is over she could have suggested that he see another counselor that specializes in GLBT issues. We all know that every counselor/therapist isn't good with all issues.

VarunaTT

IDK what I think, BTW.  That's why i thought it'd be interesting for conversation.  For some reason, this to me seems very different from the pharmacist issue.  You should have a counselor who is there to help you be better at whatever the goal is.

I think I like what NOLA suggested.  

I know when I called to find a counselor, I specifically requested someone who didn't go to a religious university and who didn't counsel from any religious perspective.  So if I get to choose to be so narrowly focused, why shouldn't they have the right to choose their patients?

*Barbie*

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_since-its-slow-wdyt?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:21c87c9b-ad3f-426f-b46c-aa72a6f699ddPost:972a93e1-d35d-44c5-b114-60100294a028">Re: Since It's Slow: WDYT?</a>:
[QUOTE]the only problem with that, barbie, is who knows what the self-worth is of the gay student. they may not make it to another counselor. i agree she should have been kicked out of the program. if she isn't going to help people, and is allowe dto have her own agenda, then she isn't doing her job.
Posted by Wzz[/QUOTE]

<div>i don't think legally requiring that a social worker "counsel" someone who they discriminate against will do any good for that person. are they going to be legally required to give "good advice"? who is to say what the appropriate response would be in this situation? why not allow them to refer the person to someone who will be of more assistance?</div><div>
</div><div>"i'm having a lot of trouble because i came out to my parents and they kicked me out and i'm thinking about hurting myself" </div><div>"ZOMG, you're gay? that's awful/ you know there's a cure for that? let's pray to Jesus that he can save you."</div><div>
</div>

NOLABridesmaid

Barbie, gives a great example. The first thing you would do was to find out if he is truly suicidal. Does he need to be hospitalized? If he doesn't, it sounds like he's homeless. Then, find resources for places where he can stay.

There are many things that she could do to assist him in his crisis before him being gay ever came into play. Once all of the above is worked out, then she could assist him in finding a counselor on staff that could work with him on the topic of being gay.

Wzz

"There are many things that she could do to assist him in his crisis before him being gay ever came into play. Once all of the above is worked out, then she could assist him in finding a counselor on staff that could work with him on the topic of being gay. "

exactly. but she didn't, and that is why she didn't do her job.

Wzz

ETA - my opinion is not that she should have been forced to counsel him.

my opinion is that she shouldn't be allowed to counsel ANYONE.

tawillers

::sits with zzilla::

She didn't think this person's life was worth saving.  How is that ok for a Christian OR a counselor?