Court-ordered offender treatment tends to be primarily in groups because of the ease with which perpetrators deny or minimize their actions, and the degree to which they are able to fool others, including counselors, into thinking they are cured. Churches can be havens for pedophiles because Christians tend to want to think the best of people and are vulnerable to manipulation (see books and videos available through the Faithtrust Institute, www.faithtrustinstitute.org). As a precaution, individuals who have perpetrated sexual offences, particularly pedophiles, should never be placed in ministry positions where they have access to children, no matter how healed or Christlike they may appear.
The Holy Spirit is the Great Counselor
While work with survivors is arduous and gut-wrenching, the good news is we are not alone! When we invite the Holy Spirit into the process by listening for His voice both within and outside of sessions with Christian and non-Christian clients, it lessens the burden. When I tell my students my favorite course to teach is “Counseling for Trauma and Abuse,” they are sometimes incredulous. However, what keeps me going is seeing the end result—the survivors, no matter how traumatized, coming out on the other side psychologically and spiritually whole.
This article originally appeared in Christian Counseling Today, Vol. 23 No. 1. Christian Counseling Today is the flagship publication of the American Association of Christian Counselors. To learn more about the AACC, click here.
References
Gingrich, H.D. (2013). Restoring the shattered self: A Christian counselor’s guide to complex trauma. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic.
Herman, J. (1997/2015). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence – from domestic abuse to political terror. New York, NY: Basic Books.
Tan, S-Y. (2011). Mindfulness and acceptance-based cognitive therapies: Empirical, evidence and clinical applications from a Christian perspective. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 30, 234-49.
