This 18-item questionnaire has been developed to guide the mental health practitioner through ethical decision-making for spiritual broaching, self-disclosure, or boundary crossing (Burns, 2020; King, 2021; Black, 2017).

These items are in alignment with the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (ACA, 2014) and competencies from the Association of Clinical Pastoral Care (ACPE, 2022) and the Association of Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC, 2022). Items also align with standards determined by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP, 2016).

 You have considered the counselor-client situation that is being evaluated and used the survey to choose the best response. Use this interpretation of the MI-SBQ report (received at the end of the survey) for reflection and consultation before you make a decision related to broaching, disclosure, or boundary crossing. 

 A higher score on the MI-SBQ generally indicates that spiritual broaching, self-disclosure, or boundary crossing may be ethically warranted. Bolded responses are of potential indication that broaching, self-disclosure, or boundary crossing IS NOT WARRANTED. Please refer to these ethical codes, competencies, or CACREP standards for reflection and consultation.

1. Is there a notable Client-Practitioner difference in spiritual beliefs?                           Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.2.c (Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity), A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy), C.5 (Non-discrimination)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 1, 2, 4

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1

CACREP standards (2016): 2.g, 5.f

2. Does this difference require responsible action?                                                   Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.6.a, A.6.b, A.6.c (extended counseling), B.1.a (self-disclosure)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 9

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

3. Will this likely need on-going evaluation of broaching, disclosure, or boundary crossing?   Yes       No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.6.a, A.6.b, A.6.c (extended counseling), B.1.a (self-disclosure)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 10

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 3

CACREP standards (2016): 5.f

4. Are you clear on how to address potential dynamic client identities?                       Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.2.c (Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity), A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy), C.5 (Non-discrimination)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 8, 9, 12, 13

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1

CACREP standards (2016): 2.g

5. Are you clear on potential individual or systematic levels of this difference?     Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.2.c (Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity), A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy), C.5 (Non-discrimination)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 8, 9, 12, 13

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 2

CACREP standards (2016): 2.g

6. Do you feel confident that you can maintain a flexible stance?                           Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): C.2.a (Boundaries of Competence)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 3, 4, 5

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 6

CACREP standards (2016): 2.g, 5.f

7. Will you be diligent in considering this step in both early and late sessions?         Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): C.2.a (Boundaries of Competence)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 8, 9

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

8. Will this broaching, disclosure, or boundary crossing be sensitive to client culture and power? Yes         No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 12, 13, 14

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1, 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

9. Will broaching, disclosure, or boundary crossing empower the client and acknowledge difference?         Yes     No

Citation/References:  

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 12, 13, 14

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1, 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

10. Do you have a plan to conduct client check-ins for understanding?                       Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.2.c (Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity), A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy), C.5 (Non-discrimination)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 12, 13, 14

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1, 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

11. Will broaching or disclosure serve to validate the client (not you)?                       Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): Preamble (nonmaleficence and beneficence)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 2, 3, 4

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1, 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

12. Is the timing right?                                                                                               Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): Preamble (nonmaleficence and beneficence)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 6, 12, 13, 14

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i

13. Do you have the appropriate language to ethically broach, disclose, or boundary cross?                 Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.2.c (Developmental and Cultural Sensitivity), A.7.a, A.7.b (Advocacy), C.5 (Non-discrimination)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 6, 12, 13, 14

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 1, 2, 3

CACREP standards (2016):   1.i, 2.g, 5.f

14. Will broaching, disclosure, or boundary crossing goals prioritize client benefits (not your own)?         Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.4.b (Personal Values)          

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 2, 3, 4

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 2, 3

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i, 2.g

15. Can you conduct an appropriate evaluation of similarities/differences?       Yes     No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): E.8 (Multicultural Issues/Diversity in Assessment)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 1, 6, 10

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 4, 9

CACREP standards (2016): 2.g, 5.f

16. Will pro-active introduction of broaching, disclosure, or boundary crossing likely best option for this client (versus naturally arising)? Yes           No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): Preamble (nonmaleficence and beneficence)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 6, 12, 13, 14

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 2, 3

CACREP standards (2016): 2.g, 5.f

17. Is there practitioner emotional discomfort?                                                         Yes      No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.4.b (Personal Values)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 2, 3, 4, 5

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 9, 10

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i, 5.f

18. Is there practitioner fear of offending client?                                                       Yes      No

Citation/References:

ACA Ethical Codes (2014): A.4.b (Personal Values)

ASERVIC competencies (2022): 2, 3, 4, 5

ACPE SIP competencies (2022): 3, 9, 10

CACREP standards (2016): 1.i, 5.f