What Are the Duties of a Pastoral Counselor?
Pastoral counseling allies psychology with the tenets of an individual's faith. The term "pastoral" counselor usually refers to a "Christian" counselor who is a church minister, as well.
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History of Pastoral Counseling
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According to the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, the Reverend Anton Boisen originated the pastoral counseling field. Carl Jung, Erik Erikson, Abraham Maslow and even Sigmund Freud also acknowledged the role of spirituality in mental health.
Church Affiliations
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Ministry and affiliation with a church or denomination seems necessary for pastoral counseling. Loren L. Townsend, Ph.D, a pastoral counselor, questions the changes that emphasize state licensing and minimize the role of ordained clergy, potentially shifting the minister's responsibility, the needs of the church, to those of the state.
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Degrees in Pastoral Counseling
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Some Christian counseling programs may also offer an affiliated pastoral degree for ordained ministers. Such master's degrees usually require fewer academic credits and may offer credit for life experience.
Professional Organizations
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Many professional organizations exist for pastoral counselors. These organizations offer a wide variety of support and resources to benefit all pastoral counselors.
Primary Duty: Church or Client?
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Pastoral counselors' duties vary; however, if a minister acts as a pastoral counselor his or her duty is to the congregation, not the individual. Although the pastoral counselor may be qualified to act as a professional counselor, his or her first obligation is to the church as a whole.
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