LIBERTY UNIVERSITY JOHN W. RAWLINGS SCHOOL OF DIVINITY
How to Become a Pastoral Counselor
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
How to Become a Pastoral Counselor
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral, social science, or psychology field
2. Earn a master’s degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy
3. Complete graduate and postgraduate internship experience for certification/licensure
requirements
4. Pass any required counseling exams and apply for licensure
5. Apply for and earn additional counseling certifications
6. Continue your education and stay up to date on pastoral counseling trends and changes
Pastoral counseling combines counseling with theological training to offer clients a unique
and integrated approach to therapeutic treatment. A pastoral counselor is a licensed mental
health professional who has also had religious training and/or theological education. Clinical
services are non-sectarian and respect the spiritual commitments, religious beliefs and
traditions of clients, including couples, families, mental health clients and substance abusers.
Pastoral counseling may incorporate collaborative community based services, training and
education to improve the well-being of people in need.
Pastoral counselors provide therapeutic support and spiritual guidance to people in need of
all ages and circumstances. The unique orientation and listening perspective that pastoral
counselors provide helps those in need find peace, forgiveness and acceptance.
The Evolution of Pastoral Counseling
The practice of Pastoral Counseling dates back to the 1920s. For centuries, religious
Americans have turned to their priests, ministers and rabbis in times of crises. Churches and
temples provide personalized support and informal counseling for members of their
community, including those with mental illness, depression, relationship issues, and drug and
alcohol addiction. While traditional religious counseling continues to provide support, the need
for a measure of professional therapy was recognized long ago for effective treatment. The field
steadily evolved with endorsements from religious leaders as well as psychologists and
psychiatrists like Carl Jung, Karl Menninger and Abraham Maslow.
Pastoral counseling has evolved from religious counseling to pastoral psychotherapy, which
integrates theology and other faith tradition knowledge, spirituality, the resources of faith
communities, the behavioral sciences, and in recent years, systemic theory. “It only makes
sense that religion and psychology — each of which is concerned with the fullness of the
human experience — should be recognized as partners, because they function as partners
within the human psyche,”
Steps to Become a Pastoral Counselor
Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral, social science, psychology field, or
another field.
Because a master’s degree is a requirement for licensure as a mental health counselor,
pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, or a related behavioral or social field
sets the groundwork for graduate studies in counseling. Coursework for undergraduate studies
in counseling or related fields will typically include an understanding of human development,
introduction to counseling, introduction to psychology, and/or basic approaches to
counseling/therapy.
Step 2: Earn a master’s degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy.
There are many accredited universities that offer studies specifically in mental health
counseling that may help you become a pastoral counselor. As the foundation for work as a
pastoral counselor, earning your master’s in counseling, mental health counseling, or another
mental health related degree is recommended, although many pastoral counselors are
ministers, priests, or rabbis.
Step 3: Complete graduate and postgraduate internship experience for
certification/licensure requirements.
As a crucial aspect of accredited counseling and marriage and family therapy master’s
programs, graduate supervised clinical experience allows students to dive into their future role
as a licensed professional counselor or therapy, gaining hands-on experience under licensed
professionals.
Step 4: Pass any required counseling exams and apply for licensure.
Some states and/or counseling programs require the passing of a recognized counselor
examination for gradation or licensure such as the National Counselor Examination (NCE)
and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or the MFT
National Examination for marriage and family therapists. However, pastoral counselors earn a
certification through the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC). Licensure
requirements may vary depending on the state in which you wish to practice.
Step 5: Apply for and earn additional pastoral counseling certifications.
Licensed professional counselors can pursue a national certification through the National
Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC). Counselors interested in pastoral counseling should
pursue certifications through the AAPC. Admissions to the AAPC requires ordination as a
spiritual care provider and endorsement from an appropriate religious/spiritual authority.
Applicants must also complete at least four credits of Level I/Level II ACPE CPE and evaluated
based on competencies for admissions to a Certified Educator Program as well as completing
Level I/Level II Outcomes.
Step 6: Continue your education and stay up to date on pastoral counseling trends and
changes.
Continuing education is imperative to maintaining professional counseling licensure and
keeping up-to-date on changes in counseling, mental health wellness, or pastoral approaches to
therapy.
