Saint James College
an exceptionally specialized field
WHAT IS PASTORAL COUNSELING,
ACTUALLY?
As the name implies, Pastoral
Counseling involves counseling by
pastors...or other trained spiritual
workers. Providers of this service most
typically involve minister, priests, rabbis,
imams and, recently, qualified chaplains.
ACTUALLY?
As the name implies, Pastoral
Counseling involves counseling by
pastors...or other trained spiritual
workers. Providers of this service most
typically involve minister, priests, rabbis,
imams and, recently, qualified chaplains.
As the wonderful picture above at the right implies, Pastoral Counseling is a mandate from the
Gospels where were are called to be "Good Shepherds" to those we have the ability to protect
Mount Saviour Monastery.
The Word "Pastoral" must be accompanied by "Psychological":
The title of this service must be: Psycho-Spiritual. A very serious -- and growing -- problem
within religious circles is the number of clergypeople who feel that their divinity training
somehow qualifies them to become counselors. Nothing is further from the truth! It is
dangerous and completely unethical for people in ministry who lack the proper training to
accept clients who request psychological counseling!
Why?
1) It is a horrible breech of ethics to keep a suffering person in pain one single day longer
than is necessary.
2) Ministers, priests, rabbis, etc., frequently tend to brush aside indicators of psychological
trauma and, instead, tell the distressed client to pray...that God will either heal the person...or
else the suffering is somehow "God's will"!
Regarding #1, above, if you don't have the training required to assist with the underlying
problem, you then become a very active (culpable, guilty) part of the problem.
In terms of #2, as students will learn throughout Saint James College Seminary's education
programs, it is never God's will that we suffer!!! How could any reasonable person worship a
"God" who desires that people feel pain?! Such a being would not be a "God" but, rather,
would be a monster! Frankly, it is vile for ministers with no training as psychological
counselors to tell people that their suffering will continue if they continue to be "bad"
Christians, or to continue to be "so sinful"!
Saint James College Seminary's online Pastoral Counseling certificate and degree programs
are helping clergy throughout the United States, Canada, and many other countries, to gain
at least rudimentary counseling skills. While the
idea is most certainly to help heal troubled minds,
souls, and lives...the bottom line is not to make
matters worse.
We are firm believers in words ascribed to
Hippocrates:
First, let me do no harm!
Hippocrates of Kos (460 BCE - 377 BCE) was an
ancient Greek physician who's wisdom and spiritual
ethics ushered in an entirely new era of medical
and psychological practice. He is famous for
authoring his Hippocratic Oath, which continues to be used to this day. Hippocrates taught
that, while doctors and counselors absolutely should try to help a patient heal...the most
important thing to keep in mind during the process is to never, never, never, ever cause any
additional pain!
We suggest that our students indelibly imprint this rule on their consciousnesses!
Gospels where were are called to be "Good Shepherds" to those we have the ability to protect
Mount Saviour Monastery.
The Word "Pastoral" must be accompanied by "Psychological":
The title of this service must be: Psycho-Spiritual. A very serious -- and growing -- problem
within religious circles is the number of clergypeople who feel that their divinity training
somehow qualifies them to become counselors. Nothing is further from the truth! It is
dangerous and completely unethical for people in ministry who lack the proper training to
accept clients who request psychological counseling!
Why?
1) It is a horrible breech of ethics to keep a suffering person in pain one single day longer
than is necessary.
2) Ministers, priests, rabbis, etc., frequently tend to brush aside indicators of psychological
trauma and, instead, tell the distressed client to pray...that God will either heal the person...or
else the suffering is somehow "God's will"!
Regarding #1, above, if you don't have the training required to assist with the underlying
problem, you then become a very active (culpable, guilty) part of the problem.
In terms of #2, as students will learn throughout Saint James College Seminary's education
programs, it is never God's will that we suffer!!! How could any reasonable person worship a
"God" who desires that people feel pain?! Such a being would not be a "God" but, rather,
would be a monster! Frankly, it is vile for ministers with no training as psychological
counselors to tell people that their suffering will continue if they continue to be "bad"
Christians, or to continue to be "so sinful"!
Saint James College Seminary's online Pastoral Counseling certificate and degree programs
are helping clergy throughout the United States, Canada, and many other countries, to gain
at least rudimentary counseling skills. While the
idea is most certainly to help heal troubled minds,
souls, and lives...the bottom line is not to make
matters worse.
We are firm believers in words ascribed to
Hippocrates:
First, let me do no harm!
Hippocrates of Kos (460 BCE - 377 BCE) was an
ancient Greek physician who's wisdom and spiritual
ethics ushered in an entirely new era of medical
and psychological practice. He is famous for
authoring his Hippocratic Oath, which continues to be used to this day. Hippocrates taught
that, while doctors and counselors absolutely should try to help a patient heal...the most
important thing to keep in mind during the process is to never, never, never, ever cause any
additional pain!
We suggest that our students indelibly imprint this rule on their consciousnesses!
| Psychospiritual is a word that we ask our students to learn, and learn well Saint James College Seminary students who study Pastoral Counseling are offered a curriculum that aims to blend, or meld, two branches of human services:
Please note that we did not use the term Mental Health, which refers to people with serious and persistent mental illness. This can include schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, clinical depression, sociopathic disorder etc. These can only be treated by psychiatrists and social workers. Conventional counseling and Pastoral Counseling are totally, and we mean totally, ineffective with mental illness. We do, however, assist our students in utilizing the combined skillsets of ministry and psychology. As a member of the clergy, you will have only a lay knowledge of psychology and psychotherapy. But, you will learn enough to work with people who come to you with emotional and situational pain, using psychospiritual techniques designed specifically for pastors. |
| Why do people use Pastoral Counselors in the first place? In truth, people often seek out the counsel of their spiritual leader for no other reason than the (usually-true) belief that he or she will be more affordable than a trained social worker, psychotherapist, or family counselor. This is no way negates the requirement that the clergyperson must be qualified to counsel clients seeking assistance with troubling emotional or personal issues! Often, however, people will choose pastoral counseling over other available options due to the belief that the minister, priest, or rabbi will be more sensitive, kinder, and more ethical than a secular counselor. While there is no particular evidence that the "spiritual professional" will in fact be more ethical or understanding, many people cling to this notion. If we accept counseling clients, it is our responsibility not to disappoint them! The person seeking counseling often faces highly-troubling concerns about "the meaning of life" and how to cope with the often-painful situations that it brings. Because pastoral counselors are seen as holding "special knowledge" about spiritual and cosmic matters, we are in a unique position to work with clients drawing upon tools available in the worlds of both psychology and theology. |
| Pastoral Counseling fits well with existing self-help groups! special opportunity for ministers, priests, and rabbis to assist those struggling under the weight of addiction issues. |
Our Online Pastoral Counseling training is available to you in a variety of formats:
We offer online studies leading to Certified Pastoral Counseling status, bachelors and masters degrees in
Pastoral Counseling, and also online Pastoral Counseling studies as continuing education for graduates
of our online ordination, online Certified Professional Chaplin, and MSW - Social Worker programs.
We offer online studies leading to Certified Pastoral Counseling status, bachelors and masters degrees in
Pastoral Counseling, and also online Pastoral Counseling studies as continuing education for graduates
of our online ordination, online Certified Professional Chaplin, and MSW - Social Worker programs.
| Our COURSES & MAJORS at a Glance |
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