Using spiritual discernment to heal clients wounded by religiously repressive sexual beliefs

Abstract From their earliest inquiries on sex, researchers have noted the connection between religion and sexual repression. However, because many see religion as beyond reproach, secularly trained professionals are often frustrated over ways to help their clients heal from problematic religious teachings without damaging their faith. This paper offers concrete ways to reframe the issues to assist clients in extricating themselves from problematic beliefs. By setting science in dialogue with religion, this strategy is based on some of Christianity’s basic principles. From this stance, the client can be led to both understand the nature of traditional Christianity’s obedience framework and to entertain an alternative spiritual discernment framework with multiple sources of spiritual authority. Professionals do this by (1) affirming the client’s faith experiences that undergird their religious experience, (2) identifying their beliefs and their sources, (3) providing information of other church-recognized sources of spiritual authority and noting where individual discernment is applauded, and (4) offering scientific evidence relative to the presenting sexual issue. This approach is not dependent upon the personal religious background or faith stance of the professional. Further, clients may choose to retain their faith while aligning new religious understandings that are more congruent with sexual health.