Commonly asked questions about Pastoral Counseling
Is Pastoral Counseling considered
Professional Psychotherapy?
Pastoral Counseling is unique in that it uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for growth and healing. Pastoral care ministry is not based on a medical or professional model. Consequently, Pastoral counselors care for people rather than treat disorders. Pastoral counselors cannot provide a diagnosis of mental disorders or psychotherapy to treat disorders. Pastoral care ministry is not managed care but care for the soul no matter how hurt, sick, mentally disordered or wounded a person may be. Most health insurance does not cover Pastoral counseling.
The credentials of our pastoral care/prayer counselors are not to be equated with, nor are they represented as being equal to licensing by the State of Colorado as a professional licensed therapist/psychotherapist. Because they are Pastoral care/prayer ministers performing a Pastoral function the Anchor of Hope Ministries, Inc. Pastoral counselors do not fall under the regulatory license requirements of the State of Colorado.
We do not consider our Pastoral care and prayer ministry to be psychotherapy, nor do we consider our Pastoral care and prayer counselors to be therapists or psychotherapists. We do not render professional psychotherapy services to our clients. We are a ministry focused on serving people with God’s grace and healing.
Is Community an Important Element to Pastoral Care?
Christian community is an essential part of maturity and the healing process. We believe that Christian communities are the primary entryway for individuals and families seeking assistance with communication breakdowns, anger issues, grief, marital conflict, substance abuse, depression, among other issues and societal problems. Most pastors, religious leaders, and many individuals have neither the time nor the training to do the extensive, in-depth work that is usually required for folks to get started in their healing journey. They need ongoing community.
What is Community?
The community needed for the Christian journey includes ample time spent with individuals who connect to care about giving and receiving, loving and being loved, knowing and being known, while creating a safe, graceful place for these aspects of the community life to be fully realized, trusted and enjoyed.
Humility in love is the foundation stone for community relationships to thrive authentically. We are one body under the headship of Jesus. Our Savior left us with one command, "Love one another." We fail to realize how to fulfill this command by trying to live a small, isolated, or individualistic lifestyle, where the primary goals are security, control, and comfort. Beginning at birth and until death, we must learn to become interdependent. Our hope is to move from dependence to independence to interdependence.
Professional Psychotherapy?
Pastoral Counseling is unique in that it uses spiritual resources as well as psychological understanding for growth and healing. Pastoral care ministry is not based on a medical or professional model. Consequently, Pastoral counselors care for people rather than treat disorders. Pastoral counselors cannot provide a diagnosis of mental disorders or psychotherapy to treat disorders. Pastoral care ministry is not managed care but care for the soul no matter how hurt, sick, mentally disordered or wounded a person may be. Most health insurance does not cover Pastoral counseling.
The credentials of our pastoral care/prayer counselors are not to be equated with, nor are they represented as being equal to licensing by the State of Colorado as a professional licensed therapist/psychotherapist. Because they are Pastoral care/prayer ministers performing a Pastoral function the Anchor of Hope Ministries, Inc. Pastoral counselors do not fall under the regulatory license requirements of the State of Colorado.
We do not consider our Pastoral care and prayer ministry to be psychotherapy, nor do we consider our Pastoral care and prayer counselors to be therapists or psychotherapists. We do not render professional psychotherapy services to our clients. We are a ministry focused on serving people with God’s grace and healing.
Is Community an Important Element to Pastoral Care?
Christian community is an essential part of maturity and the healing process. We believe that Christian communities are the primary entryway for individuals and families seeking assistance with communication breakdowns, anger issues, grief, marital conflict, substance abuse, depression, among other issues and societal problems. Most pastors, religious leaders, and many individuals have neither the time nor the training to do the extensive, in-depth work that is usually required for folks to get started in their healing journey. They need ongoing community.
What is Community?
The community needed for the Christian journey includes ample time spent with individuals who connect to care about giving and receiving, loving and being loved, knowing and being known, while creating a safe, graceful place for these aspects of the community life to be fully realized, trusted and enjoyed.
Humility in love is the foundation stone for community relationships to thrive authentically. We are one body under the headship of Jesus. Our Savior left us with one command, "Love one another." We fail to realize how to fulfill this command by trying to live a small, isolated, or individualistic lifestyle, where the primary goals are security, control, and comfort. Beginning at birth and until death, we must learn to become interdependent. Our hope is to move from dependence to independence to interdependence.
