Archive for category Pastoral
Pastoral Counseling Training Prospects Online
Many people feel more comfortable seeking advice from a counselor affiliated with their religion. Being able to give advice directly related to a specific religion can be learned through online study. Students who have considered studying religious studies or counseling can combine their interests into one degree. Doing this allows students to train in pastoral counseling. This degree field leaves students with an assortment of online schooling opportunities.
The career focuses not only on the therapy of an individual but assisting them in their spiritual needs and development. This field places importance on the pastoral relationship that takes place through counseling. Professionals have a responsibility to have a solid understanding of the central meanings of life, and its principles based on their religious beliefs because they are representing their faith through counseling. Schooling trains students to have an integrated approach by combining traditional religious training with psychological thought processes. This design is set up to enable students to function as traditional counselors in a religious setting. Traditionally, ministers, rabbis, and priests fulfilled the role of a pastoral counselor. These individuals still make up the majority of pastoral counselors but the circle is widening to include professionals that have strictly earned a degree in this form of counseling.
Online training can be earned in a couple of ways depending on the personal career a student is striving for. Students that want to become ministers and rabbis will find that seminary school is the best option. Inside a seminary program students can focus on both pastoral studies and counseling. Students can also follow programs from a bachelor’s degree to a doctoral degree in seminary. If seminary is not the path students want to take there are some colleges that offer online training. Students need to keep in mind that some schools do not meet counseling licensing requirement. To gain licensure students may have to precede or follow up a program with more schooling. It is recommended that students research school requirements fully to obtain the right amount of training. Read the rest of this entry »
Depression, Pastoral Ministry, and Our Source of Hope
Years ago, I read Morton Kelsey’s Resurrection: Release from Oppression. In this outstanding book, the author is very transparent and honest about his feelings and emotional well-being. He openly shares how depression could readily come to him. However, the reality that kept him emotionally healthy and stable was the presence of the resurrected and living Lord.
I have had days where I have brushed up against depression. For me, those times of being down have usually been mitigated with a heavy injection of Bible memorization, which in turn has played a significant role in making the risen One real to me. I can move forward with much hope when I know that Jesus is with me. Reflection on the resurrection, and more accurately, time with the risen Lord, will do much to bring release from the oppression of depression.
In 2 Timothy 2:8 the Bible says “Remember Jesus Christ raised from the dead.” The word “remember” is in the imperative, and for good reason. It should also be noted that this reference to the resurrection comes up unexpectedly in this chapter. It is couched in content that is primarily about endurance. Our perseverance, and ability to overcome oppression, is directly related to our intentional thinking (and celebration) that Jesus is alive and with us in the everyday nitty-gritty stuff of life.
How do we experience the presence of the resurrected Lord in our day-to-day ministries? There are no shortcuts. But I suspect it comes down to this basic truth: there is a need to constantly exercise a faith that the resurrected Jesus is with us. To be sure, there will be the divine moments that will immensely bless us. But the reality is, most of life is lived in settings where faith needs to be expressed. That faith begins with a simple acknowledgement-”Jesus, thank you for standing beside me.” The more I live with that simple truth, the more I am apt to experience His resurrected presence. Read the rest of this entry »
Pastoral Counseling – Online Career Studies
Online career studies to become a pastoral counselor are held under high esteem and the field requires a wide educational background. Schooling is held under the standards of the American Association of Pastoral Counseling. The AAPC sets standards for schooling to ensure correct licensure is acquired and to build up strong faith driven leaders in the profession of counseling.
The minimum requirement to enter a pastoral counseling program is a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, which many times includes a three-year degree from a seminary school. Having a master’s in the mental health field may also be required for some online colleges. This educational background is established because of the work that pastoral counselors conduct.
Trained Ministers
Rabbis
Priests
use education in pastoral counseling to direct people in their traditional religious beliefs while using clinical counseling procedures and behavioral sciences. Their leadership role makes both forms of education distinctive and helps them better understand their place in the pastoral relationship. Online study provides students with specific courses to enable them to represent their faith and help people through counseling in faith by using psychological therapy.
An online master of science in pastoral counseling focuses heavily on the psychology aspects of counseling.
Substance Abuse
Group Therapy
Human Development
Family Counseling
are some courses that teach students clinical aspects of counseling while integrating some spiritual aspects. Schooling at this level provides a strong clinical foundation that prepares students to work with their parishes or clients on a professional level. Working to gain a PhD in pastoral counseling challenges students to integrate their theology beliefs with clinical theory. Five major areas are taught through an online PhD program. Students can expect to study theory and practice, research, clinical case procedure and supervision, spiritual and clinical integration. Read the rest of this entry »