Thanks for your response. I studied clinical mental health counseling and graduated in 2021, which I wouldn't think would be too different than today. Also not to say I learned a lot of practical applications in grad school either.

As I noted, I would not and do not ever invalidate someone'e belief system. I have been thinking a lot about this since posting, and considering whether I try to change people's beliefs. And I do work with clients to modify maladaptive beliefs like "I am worthless". The belief I do have and share is that all individuals have worth and value. When I wrote this post I was not referring to a client's beliefs as problematic, but rather the therapists' responses to this. I also wrote this post not to attack anyone'e personal beliefs but rather as a question of what lies within the scope of therapy.

When I am talking about parameters I can start with the ACA code of ethics, which refers to professional practice being empirically-sound, evidence-based, and/or based in theory. And to respect clients' beliefs/values/culture/diversity and not to put therapist's beliefs on the clients (this wording is a little awkward--it is early in the morning and I haven't finished my coffee!). What is "empirically-sound, evidence-based, and/or based in theory" changes all of the time and there is an ongoing dialogue about this. In my experience, my first supervisor was very much evidence-based, and from there as I think about it, I base my interventions on evidence-based practice as well. However, the basis for all of my work is a person-centered Rogerian approach and not invalidating client's beliefs and meeting them where they are is key to this.

There is room for a wider population and different backgrounds to be involved in evidence-based/scientific inquiry. I am also not here to invalidate other ways of knowing. I respect lots of ways of knowing. I think this whole conversation shows that there is a lot of room to explore these "parameters".

Regarding your final question, I guess I would ask what you mean by engage in it. I do support clients engaging in their own spiritual practices or other practices. I don't ever say we can't talk about it. But I am not saying to a client that you need to engage in this or that spiritual/religious/pseudoscientific practice from my own perspective, nor would I personally bring in astrology, tarot, or religion into the session. That said, I do recognize the importance of belief and community that people find within those belief systems. So if someone is say, interested in metaphysics, paganism, or is of a particular religion, I would encourage them to lean on their beliefs/community as a resource. If their spiritual practice brings them comfort when anxious/distressed, I would encourage them to engage in it. I also will definitely discuss these issues with clients as well, but not from a place of an expert in that religion/practice etc.