How to Become a Pastoral Counselor
March 28th, 2019 — Tres Adames, MDiv, BCPC
Ever since I founded my practice, I have been asked by students, pastors, and other professionals how to become a pastoral counselor. The answer isn't simple and takes some explanation, which is why we have included this article. First, we need to define what pastoral counseling is in order to understand what a pastoral counselor does. This article is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice.
1. What is pastoral counseling?
Pastoral counseling integrates the insights of spirituality with counseling skill and theory. Pastoral counselors are either: ordained clergy who have graduate training in pastoral care and may sometimes be certified by a national organization in pastoral counseling — or — state licensed counselors who have graduate training in counseling but also additional training in theology and psychospiritual integration. Pastoral counseling is a unique form of counseling because practitioners are uniquely equipped to assist the healing of the whole person—spirit, soul, and body. Pastoral counselors may suggest prayer, study of scripture, spiritual disciplines, books, and other resources to facilitate growth inside and outside counseling sessions.
2. What education and credentials are required to become a pastoral counselor?
Pastoral counselors are usually ordained, commissioned, or licensed by their church or denomination. Requirements for this vary by individual religious bodies, but often require a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Arts in Theology (MA) from a university, seminary, or institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Some may also hold a state license in professional counseling, though some states allow pastoral counselors to be unlicensed as long as they are ordained and have ethical oversight. As of 2021, only four states license pastoral counselors: Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In other states, pastoral counselors must also hold a degree in professional counseling and are often licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). In some states, unlicensed pastoral counselors are sometimes permitted to provide pastoral counseling as long as it is within the scope of their ministry as pastors and clergy. Consult with a lawyer or appropriate licensing board in your state or jurisdiction in order to ensure you are legally permitted to provide pastoral counseling services. Laws often change, so do not take any information here as legal advice. Consult with a lawyer in your state or jurisdiction.
3. How can I become trained in pastoral counseling?
Ever since 1963, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) was the organization that defined standards and ethics for pastoral counselors and pastoral counseling. AAPC previously offered certification for pastoral counselors for several decades and was open to individuals of every faith tradition. AAPC stopped providing certification and consolidated with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) in 2019.
ACPE now offers training through two programs: one for state-licensed therapists and one for ordained clergy. ACPE does not certify these professionals — these are continuing education programs. The program for state-licensed therapists is called the Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) program. The training for ordained clergy and church leaders in parish ministry is called the Pastoral Care Specialist (PCS) training program. Arizona Christian Counseling currently hosts the PCS Program:
1. What is pastoral counseling?
Pastoral counseling integrates the insights of spirituality with counseling skill and theory. Pastoral counselors are either: ordained clergy who have graduate training in pastoral care and may sometimes be certified by a national organization in pastoral counseling — or — state licensed counselors who have graduate training in counseling but also additional training in theology and psychospiritual integration. Pastoral counseling is a unique form of counseling because practitioners are uniquely equipped to assist the healing of the whole person—spirit, soul, and body. Pastoral counselors may suggest prayer, study of scripture, spiritual disciplines, books, and other resources to facilitate growth inside and outside counseling sessions.
2. What education and credentials are required to become a pastoral counselor?
Pastoral counselors are usually ordained, commissioned, or licensed by their church or denomination. Requirements for this vary by individual religious bodies, but often require a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or Master of Arts in Theology (MA) from a university, seminary, or institution accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).
Some may also hold a state license in professional counseling, though some states allow pastoral counselors to be unlicensed as long as they are ordained and have ethical oversight. As of 2021, only four states license pastoral counselors: Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, and Tennessee. In other states, pastoral counselors must also hold a degree in professional counseling and are often licensed as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). In some states, unlicensed pastoral counselors are sometimes permitted to provide pastoral counseling as long as it is within the scope of their ministry as pastors and clergy. Consult with a lawyer or appropriate licensing board in your state or jurisdiction in order to ensure you are legally permitted to provide pastoral counseling services. Laws often change, so do not take any information here as legal advice. Consult with a lawyer in your state or jurisdiction.
3. How can I become trained in pastoral counseling?
Ever since 1963, the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) was the organization that defined standards and ethics for pastoral counselors and pastoral counseling. AAPC previously offered certification for pastoral counselors for several decades and was open to individuals of every faith tradition. AAPC stopped providing certification and consolidated with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) in 2019.
ACPE now offers training through two programs: one for state-licensed therapists and one for ordained clergy. ACPE does not certify these professionals — these are continuing education programs. The program for state-licensed therapists is called the Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) program. The training for ordained clergy and church leaders in parish ministry is called the Pastoral Care Specialist (PCS) training program. Arizona Christian Counseling currently hosts the PCS Program:
