CrossRoads Counseling Center

What is Pastoral Counseling?

Pastoral counseling is a separate discipline from the general pastoral ministry, one of the ways in which a minister may choose to specialize within the profession and calling of ministry. 

Pastoral counseling is done by a pastor who is ordained, has credentials which include a theological education and at least a masters degree in counseling, and is licensed in at least one of the counseling disciplines.

Pastoral counseling is Christ-centered with a focus on caring, serving, and healing from the perspective of a licensed professional counselor who is also ordained.

Pastoral counseling is not defined just as a pastor doing counseling. There are some pastors who have had specific courses and training in the subject. Others have a real God-given gift of ministry in counseling, but have not had much training in the subject. There are a few, regardless of how much training they might receive, will be unable to cease from preaching in a session, and who do not have the gift of listening and the "third ear" necessary to hear what a person says, but as well, what they really mean. Pastoral Counseling, even though most pastors have had training in the subject, and many are very capable, is not just a pastor doing counseling.

CrossRoads Counseling has a trained, Ordained, Certified Pastoral Counselor on staff.  If you prefer a Pastoral Counselor, please advise the intake person when you call.

 

 Email CrossRoads@sage-usa.net