Concerns Grow Over Friends University Therapy Program
Wichita, Kansas – Anxiety is rising among students and former faculty in the Marriage and Family Therapy program at Friends University. They worry about potential changes to the program that may not serve all future therapists effectively.
Students report that last school year, some professors were told to limit discussions to Christianity. This raised concerns about how well future therapists could serve diverse communities. Therapy should be inclusive, but some feel that the program is now leaning towards a more conservative Christian approach.
Much of this tension arose from a memo sent to faculty a year ago. The memo expressed concerns from students who felt uncomfortable being Christian in the program. Faculty say things shifted dramatically after the memo’s release, resulting in the departure of five faculty members.
Amanda Spruill, a former faculty member, shared her passion for teaching. She attempted to integrate spirituality and faith into lessons but felt it wasn’t enough. She faced challenges after discussing her pansexuality in class, a common exercise aimed at promoting empathy.
Dr. Spruill felt this topic led to scrutiny from the administration, ultimately raising fears about the program’s future. She highlighted that the university may be leaning toward a “biblical counseling program” instead of adhering to the accredited standards set by COAMFTE (Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education). This shift could risk the quality of education provided to future therapists and the care clients receive.
Only two COAMFTE-accredited Marriage and Family Therapy programs exist in Kansas: Friends University and Kansas State University. Accreditation requires adherence to inclusivity and diversity policies, ensuring that students are trained to serve a diverse clientele.
Student Angie Leivian described the current climate as one of fear. She is worried that the program may lose its accreditation and the value of her degree could be compromised. She knows of a client who stopped therapy due to fears around the program’s direction, reflecting a growing concern among patients that the center may not be welcoming to everyone.
Leivian and her peers believe that understanding various religions helps them better serve clients. They are frustrated that recent changes appear to steer them away from this essential aspect of therapy. They emphasize that the core values of respect, inclusion, and service should remain at the forefront of their training.
The university’s president stated that while Friends University aims to honor God, it cannot support teachings that undermine its Christian values. However, many students and alumni have expressed that promoting inclusivity does not compromise their identity as Christians.
In light of this, nearly 40 former students and faculty wrote letters expressing their concerns to the administration. One student questioned how the university could prepare therapists to serve all clients while staying committed to its Christian roots.
As this situation unfolds, the future of the Marriage and Family Therapy program hangs in the balance. Students and faculty alike are calling for change, hoping to maintain a program that embraces diversity while honoring its foundational values.
For more information on this ongoing story, visit [KAKE News](https://www.kake.com/home/not-christian-enough-concerns-grow-over-direction-of-friends-university-family-therapy-program/article_4fbb9daa-f9ba-4465-b54e-4dfa02972e3d.html).
