According to Tan, use of prayer and scripture during a counseling session should be used based on what?

• A. Consent
• B. Exclusive use
• C. Never use
• D. Always use regardless of client preference

Answer: (A)

The use of prayer and scripture in counseling should be guided by the client’s consent and expressed preferences. This approach respects the client’s autonomy, beliefs, and cultural or religious background, and it keeps the therapy collaborative rather than imposing the counselor’s or a specific tradition’s practices. If a client explicitly accepts and desires spiritual resources, prayer or scripture can be integrated in a respectful, non-coercive way with clear boundaries and relevance to treatment goals. If a client does not want spiritual interventions, they should not be included, and the client’s stance should be honored. Relying on consent avoids ethically problematic approaches like mandating spiritual practices or using them despite client preferences.