- Complete a bachelor’s degree in a behavioral, social science, or psychology field
- Earn a master’s degree in counseling or marriage and family therapy
- Complete graduate and postgraduate internship experience for certification/licensure requirements
- Pass any required counseling exams and apply for licensure
- Apply for and earn additional counseling certifications
- Continue your education and stay up to date on pastoral counseling trends and changes
How to Become a Pastoral Counselor
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.
Sponsored Online Counseling Programs
Northwestern University
The Family Institute at Northwestern University
Master of Arts in Counseling
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New York University
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Aspiring mental health counselors are prepared to pursue licensure with NYU Steinhardt’s MPCAC-accredited online counseling master’s. Students can earn their degree in as few as 21 mos. GRE not req.
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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. In the early 1900s the Clinical Pastoral Education movement was founded, and led to the integration of religion and psychology for therapeutic purposes as an academic discipline. The field steadily evolved with endorsements from religious leaders as well as psychologists and psychiatrists like Carl Jung, Karl Menninger and Abraham Maslow. Leaders in both arenas came together to found the American Foundation of Religion and Psychiatry, now the Blanton-Peale Institute in New York City.
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,” said Dr. Arthur Caliandro, Senior Minister Emeritus, Marble Collegiate Church, New York City.
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 CACREP 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.
Are there certification requirements?
Voluntary certification is offered through the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. You can apply to be a Certified Pastoral Counselor, Fellow or Diplomate, depending on your level of experience. The AAPC sets professional practice standards for over 2000 Pastoral Counselors and 75 Pastoral Counseling Centers. AAPC offers a Pastoral Counselor certification program, as well as continuing education and advocacy for practicing counselors.
Career Outlook for a Pastoral Counselor
According to both the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for marriage and family therapists (one of the closest related fields for which BLS provides data) in the U.S. is about $49,880 as of May 2021. Salaries for marriage and family therapists are represented by a range of $37,050 to over $96,520 depending on the setting. The high end of the range is accounted for by those employed by the government. Pastoral Counselors are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, hospice care, parishes, private practice, substance abuse programs, correctional facilities, domestic violence centers and other community based organizations. Most are affiliated with a church or other religious institution.
Online Master’s in Pastoral Counseling Programs
Bellevue University
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Bellevue, Nebraska
Name of Degree: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: 2 years
Credits: 60
Concentrations: N/AAdmission Requirements:
- CV/resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- Statement of interest
- Official transcripts
Cornerstone University
Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Name of Degree: Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 2+ years
Credits: 72
Concentrations:Addictions, Interdisciplinary Studies, Trauma
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts
- Statement of purpose
- CV/resume
- Two letters of recommendation
Indiana Wesleyan University
Division of Graduate Counseling
Master of Arts in Counseling
Marion, Indiana
Name of Degree: Master of Arts in Counseling
Enrollment Type: Full-Time and Part-Time
Length of Program: 1.5+ years
Credits: 36-48
Concentrations:Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, School Counseling, Student Development Administration, Community Care
New York University
NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development
Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
New York, New York
Description:
NYU’s online master of arts program in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness prepares students to become professional mental health counselors who guide clients of all backgrounds toward healthy lifestyles. Counseling@NYU students receive the knowledge and hands-on training to work with adults both individually and in groups. The program is delivered through online classes and course work and in-person field experiences at sites near students’ communities.
Enrollment Type: Full-Time
Length of Program: As few as 21 months
Credits: 60
Last updated: May 2022