LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
Faithful Guidance – The Importance of Pastoral Counselors
A Paper Submitted to
the Faculty of the School of Divinity
in Candidacy for the Degree of
Doctor of Education in Christian Leadership (Ed. D) Department of Christian Leadership and
Church Ministries
By
Mary Gracias
Lynchburg, Virginia
10/2022
Faithful Guidance – The Importance of Pastoral Counselors
The term “pastoral counseling” can hold a variance of meanings to different individuals. To
some, this brings to mind an image of a male pastor who helps clarify God’s direction in a
person’s life. To others, this term specifically relates to a professional counselor who only helps
those practicing the Christian faith. Although these associations may stand true for some, the
authentic identity and duty of a pastoral counselor in today’s society goes far beyond these
fundamental connotations.
This particular field of counseling is unique in that it seeks to encompass professional
knowledge about the wellness of the human psyche as well as the human soul. Each and every
person is ultimately a spiritual being functioning in a material world by way of a physical body.
Popular western healthcare modalities tend to focus solely on the physical ailments of a person,
whether that be concerns for one’s body or mental health. Pastoral counselors are different;
these individuals receive special training emphasizing care for the physical and spiritual well-
being of each person; it is a holistic view of healing.
Although humans are fundamentally spiritual beings, the avenue chosen to encounter that
spirituality varies soul to soul. Based upon personal preference and knowledge base, pastoral
counselors are capable of serving people with any or no spiritual/religious association. They
seek to integrate whatever spiritual beliefs a person may have into the therapeutic healing
process. With this said, pastoral counselors are typically known for helping individuals with
Christian faith. Characteristically, Christian persons will seek the help of a pastoral counselor
who will not only understand the Christian faith, but also live by it.
For myself personally, I am a practicing Roman Catholic and follower of Christ. As I quickly
approach the completion of my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the idea
of one day becoming a formal pastoral counselor myself deeply intrigues me. From personal
experience and knowledge of others’ testaments, it is apparent that truly effective and lasting
therapeutic healing only fully occurs when used in adjunct to one’s spiritual faith. In Christian
tradition, it is believed we do not merely have a body or have a soul — we are a body; we are a
soul. This two-fold essence of who we are is undisputable. For this reason, the physical and
spiritual curative components of pastoral counseling directly applies to our restoration. This
validates the importance and need for pastoral counselors in a world where so many
desperately search for wholesome guidance.
Struggling with feelings of depression? Anxiety? How about low self-esteem or anger
management issues? In spite of all this, what about other spiritual struggles such as mistrust in
a God-given purpose for your life, or a lack of belief in God’s love and forgiveness? Mental
health issues are usually seen as requiring a different kind of help than the form of assistance
required for one’s spiritual dilemmas. Although seeking help from a counselor and a spiritual
director is always an option, pastoral counselors are clinically and spiritually equipped to
professionally aid both sorts of issues in a person’s life. Pastoral counseling provides healing
strategies for mental and spiritual challenges, offering us a more well-rounded, integrated and
effective approach in our journey towards restoration.
David Benner, PhD, writes in Strategic Pastoral Counseling that pastoral counselors provide
a brief, structured therapeutic approach which utilizes contemporary counseling theory without
forgoing important elements and resources of the pastoral ministry. For example, pastoral
professionals will explore the feelings, thoughts and behaviors of a person, collaboratively
construct a plan of action to achieve one’s goals, and evaluate the progress as one sojourns on
their remedial path. This well-known model for help in the clinical mental health counseling
approach remains applicable in the realm of pastoral counseling as well, and proves beneficial
for spiritual issues in addition to mental health challenges.
There is an abundance of resources that pastoral counselors may ask their clients to adopt
during the counseling process. Assigned readings is one commonly used tool. The beauty of
working as a pastoral counseling is having the ability to provide readings that serve the integral
psychological and spiritual facets of a person. For example, a person may be asked to read Jesus
Calling written by Sarah Young. This daily devotional incorporates small passages for each day
of the year written from the perspective of God to us. At the end of each day’s passage, bible
verses are cited which the passages are founded on. Not only does this book offer a daily
reminder of God’s love, mercy and a divine plan for our lives, but it also encourages peace and
calm – perfect antidotes for a person struggling with anxiety, depression, and many other
mental health concerns. There is a wide variety of books applicable in psychologically aiding a
person in a Christian-influenced way, as well as books primarily written to serve spiritual issues
that include psychological input.
Resources given to clients in the pastoral setting are endless. Pastoral counselors have a
unique opportunity to provide tools, techniques and strategies in counseling tailored to the
multi-faceted parts of who we are. Ultimately, the goal of the pastoral counselor is to improve
one’s overall wellness and to help persons become the best versions of themselves. The
professional wisdom of these practitioners, partnered with the help of the Divine Healer, is
bound to bring about fruitful outcomes for those receiving pastoral counseling
Faithful Guidance – The Importance of Pastoral Counselors
The term “pastoral counseling” can hold a variance of meanings to different individuals. To
some, this brings to mind an image of a male pastor who helps clarify God’s direction in a
person’s life. To others, this term specifically relates to a professional counselor who only helps
those practicing the Christian faith. Although these associations may stand true for some, the
authentic identity and duty of a pastoral counselor in today’s society goes far beyond these
fundamental connotations.
This particular field of counseling is unique in that it seeks to encompass professional
knowledge about the wellness of the human psyche as well as the human soul. Each and every
person is ultimately a spiritual being functioning in a material world by way of a physical body.
Popular western healthcare modalities tend to focus solely on the physical ailments of a person,
whether that be concerns for one’s body or mental health. Pastoral counselors are different;
these individuals receive special training emphasizing care for the physical and spiritual well-
being of each person; it is a holistic view of healing.
Although humans are fundamentally spiritual beings, the avenue chosen to encounter that
spirituality varies soul to soul. Based upon personal preference and knowledge base, pastoral
counselors are capable of serving people with any or no spiritual/religious association. They
seek to integrate whatever spiritual beliefs a person may have into the therapeutic healing
process. With this said, pastoral counselors are typically known for helping individuals with
Christian faith. Characteristically, Christian persons will seek the help of a pastoral counselor
who will not only understand the Christian faith, but also live by it.
For myself personally, I am a practicing Roman Catholic and follower of Christ. As I quickly
approach the completion of my Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, the idea
of one day becoming a formal pastoral counselor myself deeply intrigues me. From personal
experience and knowledge of others’ testaments, it is apparent that truly effective and lasting
therapeutic healing only fully occurs when used in adjunct to one’s spiritual faith. In Christian
tradition, it is believed we do not merely have a body or have a soul — we are a body; we are a
soul. This two-fold essence of who we are is undisputable. For this reason, the physical and
spiritual curative components of pastoral counseling directly applies to our restoration. This
validates the importance and need for pastoral counselors in a world where so many
desperately search for wholesome guidance.
