CAPS’ pregnancy services offer unbiased and ethical counseling

As director of  Mercer University’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), I feel it is imperative to the Mercer community that I respond to Clarissa Price’s  editorial “Pregnancy Resources on Mercer’s Campus in Need of Expansion” in the Jan. 27 edition of the Cluster.

The information conveyed in Ms. Price’s editorial misrepresented the services of CAPS. CAPS complies with the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Codes of Conduct set forth by the American Psychological Association, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy as well as the respective state of Georgia licensing boards.

These professional codes of ethics require us as licensed therapists to be objective, respectful and open to all issues presented by clients.

Unfortunately, the information Ms. Price extracted from our e-mail conversation does not accurately represent the information I conveyed to her about CAPS services.

The article’s block quote states that CAPS limits a student’s right to explore choices. To the contrary, CAPS  is very concerned about students and helping them make decisions that they feel are right for them.

Based on our ethical codes, CAPS provides a safe place for students to discuss and explore all options available.

In addition, CAPS refers students to organizations and websites that will provide students with the opportunity to explore accurate information about all options.

Discussions regarding pregnancy can lead to heated debates in which people take very strong stances. As a professional counseling center, CAPS is legally prohibited from taking sides.

Our therapists  have to be impartial in order to provide an environment where a student feels comfortable discussing pregnancy and all other personal issues.

The role of CAPS is not to dictate to students what they should do in any given circumstance but to support and assist them in discovering the option that is best for them.

We are privileged to serve Mercer students in the most caring and respectful manner possible.

Dr. Piassick is the director of Mercer’s Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). Comments on this opinion can be sent to piassick_ea@mercer.edu