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Pastoral Care and Counseling

In Christian communities, pastoral care is of great importance to the well-being and sustainability of the church. As a shepherd takes care of the flock, so should a pastor guide God's people to holiness. Pastoral care goes beyond delivering sermons to include visiting individuals in prisons and hospitals, feeding the hungry, consoling those who have lost their loved ones, and counseling members of the church.

The advancement of society and pressures of modern life have led to people seeking psychological and psychiatric help. As members of religious communities turn to their religious leaders for guidance in life issues, some of the issues require professional guidance. Hence, the need to offer professional help required gave rise to pastoral counseling. Pastoral counseling employs the knowledge of psychology and theology in fostering recovery for those in need of aid. In pastoral counseling, a pastor combines faith, spirituality, and theology to understand the root cause of a problem and prayerfully offers biblical guidance. A pastor may also guide people through prayer, scripture study, and participating in the congregation community.

People may seek pastoral counseling when they do not feel understood by secular counselors, want a faith-based approach to their difficulties, or are facing end-of-life issues. In such scenarios, people may be more comfortable confiding in their spiritual leaders rather than seeking help from other professionals. Pastors, like therapists, are expected to maintain confidentiality.

Pastoral counseling has numerous benefits. One is that it helps build faith. Biblically speaking, pastors have the authority to counsel church members with an overall objective of attaining the full measure of Christ. Therefore, a pastor combines spiritual and psychological methods to address a problem based on faith, meaning, and purpose. However, this is done without forcing anyone into certain spiritual paths or religious views on people seeking their services.

Another benefit is that since pastors are not psychologists, a person may find it easy to speak freely without feeling as if they are being analyzed. Therefore, a conversation is expected to remain simple between the two parties. Other benefits include considering pastoral counseling as a versatile therapy mode and professional guidance for individuals going through challenges such as faith crises, conflicts relating to spiritual beliefs, and mental health issues relating to religious beliefs.

Pastoral counseling is an integrated discipline that combines expertise in theology and counseling. A pastoral counselor is a licensed mental health practitioner who preferably has a bachelor's degree in social science, behavioral science, or psychology and additional theological training.

As per the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, apart from the above requirements, one must complete 375 hours of supervised counseling experience and self-reflective clinical pastoral education. A further 90-minute interview is conducted by the certification committee for one to be licensed. For states that do not have such a procedure, one must maintain a permit that allows the practice of psychotherapy.

Aside from working in church offices, pastoral counselors may also work in other areas since they are certified professionals. Therefore, some may work in health clinics, faith-based centers, state hospitals, private practice, and pastoral counseling centers.