Lawsuit claims school bias on Christian views

Wow. I love how the coverage of this story is spinning it as if she if being forced to change the core way she views the world and her relationship to it. I mean, I certainly wasn't privy to the conversations between her and the staff at ASU, but I'm imagining the real issue is something like, "Listen, when you fill the role of counselor, it is required of you by literal guidelines and informal best practice guidelines to be aware of your biases, assumptions, prejudices, and general frames through which you view the world. When filling such a role, there is a need to leave your own personal beliefs at the door b/c your job is to present as non-judgmental and open with a client helping them work through their own issues, not solving the issues for them through your own beliefs." When not filling her role, she is as free as the next person to believe and say whatever she wants. Now granted, it's extreme to have expulsion as the possible end result, but certainly not out of line to force kids, w/in a graduate program, to face head on their beliefs, thoughts, and assumptions about the world. That is a university's responsibility. Unfortunately, seems like the extreme christian right is exploiting this young naive girl.

By profession I am an HIV Prevention Specialist for the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health. Part of my job involves doing HIV testing and counseling; I also teach other social workers and health care professionals how to do the same. The definition of HIV prevention counseling is to assist clients in making behavior changes that can reduce their risk for acquiring or transmitting HIV. But counseling of ANY kind relies on certain skills and concepts, and one of the three important "Counseling Concepts" is this:

MANAGE YOUR OWN DISCOMFORT.

Anyone who does HIV prevention counseling is invariably going to be confronted with sexual behaviors and drug use behaviors that make us uncomfortable. But if we are unable to manage that discomfort, the counseling session will not be effective. If one of my clients feels that I'm being judgmental and sanctimonious, rather than caring and empathetic, that's going to drive a big barrier between me and that person.

Julea Ward and Jennifer Keeton are entitled to their views about homosexuality. But COUNSELING is the wrong profession for both of them, as any professional counselor will have you know.

Wow. I love how the coverage of this story is spinning it as if she if being forced to change the core way she views the world and her relationship to it. I mean, I certainly wasn't privy to the conversations between her and the staff at ASU, but I'm imagining the real issue is something like, "Listen, when you fill the role of counselor, it is required of you by literal guidelines and informal best practice guidelines to be aware of your biases, assumptions, prejudices, and general frames through which you view the world. When filling such a role, there is a need to leave your own personal beliefs at the door b/c your job is to present as non-judgmental and open with a client helping them work through their own issues, not solving the issues for them through your own beliefs." When not filling her role, she is as free as the next person to believe and say whatever she wants. Now granted, it's extreme to have expulsion as the possible end result, but certainly not out of line to force kids, w/in a graduate program, to face head on their beliefs, thoughts, and assumptions about the world. That is a university's responsibility. Unfortunately, seems like the extreme christian right is exploiting this young naive girl.