I would see same-sex couples in a therapeutic setting as in counseling and certainly would preach to them about how their activity is a sin, though I believe it to be sinful, it is not germane to the interaction.
I think you forgot a “not” in there; I’ll accept that you meant it to precede “preach.”
With that assumption, I would also not preach to them, in such a setting (or in any setting, frankly). Preaching is for those assigned to do so, and Jesus asked us that our interrelationships not be based on preaching.
That also does not mean providing permission, by words or actions, to acts we know to be sinful, evil, ill-advised, etc.
The clever professional – be it a physician, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a social worker, a teacher, a counselor – will use his or her position of moral neutrality to the objective benefit of the client, appropriate to the role and the setting.
In a psychological setting, the clinician is not trying to coerce, but rather to unveil. People adopt compensating behaviors, many of which are unhealthy, stunt their maturity, act as a replacement self-medication, and otherwise displace deep hurt, disappointment, and even self-hatred. The more deep-seated the unhealthy behavior, and the more rationalized the behavior, the more difficult the unveiling (obviously). A clinician who loves the client with a professional love will pursue whatever angle he or she has to help with the uncovering.
Direct affirmation of an unhealthy lifestyle is never required. If the client is seeking that, the ethical professional ought not to provide it.
Oh, well.
