Commandments for Counselors
1.) Thou shalt believe in the reality of child abuse.
2.) Thou shalt not discount what thine eyes observe which thou sawest not in psychology textbooks.
3.) Thou shalt embrace and demonstrate thine own humanity and fallibility with such clients, for yea, they shall discern thy honesty and intent with unnerving accuracy.
4.) Thou shalt absolutely never make more promises to thy client than thou canst fulfill.
5.) Thou shalt accept thy client's memories as essential truth and not push for "facts"or "evidence" such as those sought by courts of law.
6.) Thou shalt not supplant thy client's memories with suppositions or conclusions of thine own making; yea, thou shalt never over-interpret thy client's symbolism and thus mayhap lead her astray into memories that are not her own.
7.) Thou shalt follow thy client's lead in her description of her internal world, not imposing foolish dogmas compiled by willful men upon her soul; yea, thou shalt accept and work with her reality, not causing strife with vain commentaries and repetitions of psycho-mantras.
8.) Thou shalt not consider one system member higher than another or encourage their separate-mindedness in any way; likewise shalt thou not disparage thy client's compartmentalized manner and function.
9.) Thou shalt make thy boundaries known early on and not be swayed from them by winds of crisis; yea, thou shalt consider thy boundaries most carefully before thou openest thy mouth to speak them, for thy client trusteth in thy word and will suffer much heartache if thy word be not true.
10.) Thou shalt adhere always to the principles of good psychotherapy; yea, thou shalt not flee from them, saying, This is a different situation, for I say unto you, thy client yearneth for dignity, order and honor, and blessed is the counselor who exemplifieth these traits.