What is a Pastoral Counselor?
Accepting clients in-person, video sessions or phone sessions.
A Pastoral Counselor is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has been specifically trained to diagnose mental health conditions and integrate matters of faith into counseling as appropriate. However, some pastoral counselors are not licensed, they are in ministerial positions who often serve in churches to support parishioners. Licensed Pastoral Counselors are professionals who are uniquely trained to do mental health counseling and pastoral care for people who want to include their faith traditions in therapy. I have been trained to include all faith traditions in my work with clients, not just one particular religion. I honor the journey that each client is on, regarding their faith commitment, whether it includes religion or not. I see myself as a helper, not a judge. I don't believe God can be put in a box.
Many people turn to persons in ministerial positions when life is a challenge. They seek comfort and direction to help them solve a problem or try to make sense of something that's happened in their life. However, many clergymen/women are not trained to diagnose mental health conditions for their parishioners. In fact, clergymen/women often refer their parishioners to people like me who can integrate these two "worlds" on a more clinical level. Some people need mental health support in a pastoral clinical setting, and that is my passion, and what I love to do! Many clinical issues do have a spiritual component, and I help people uncover what those might be for them.
I have additional training in matters of faith as well to supplement my clinical license. I am also an ordained minister in my faith tradition and have spent a great deal of time reflecting on my own journey in order to bring a sense of calm and serenity to my clients. I have always been intrigued and fascinated about how theology and psychological issues intersect., so I keep abreast about the resources out there that might help my clients.
I am an avid learner and investigator. My top five strengths are: empathy, individualization, input, achiever, and learner. I am on a marathon journey towards earning my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and am currently studying at Liberty University.
Style of Counseling
My style of counseling focuses on solving problems and freeing up emotional and spiritual space to experience life with greater joy. Joy goes much deeper than just feeling happy. It can allow one to stand up under greater scrutiny and unrelenting pain in the midst of unforeseen circumstances. I help clients "accept what they cannot change, find courage to change what they can, and seek the wisdom to know the difference." (Alcoholics Anonymous). In short, I help clients regain their energy that has been depleted by layers of denial that may have stolen years of purposeful, satisfactory living.
My approach is Psychodynamic and Existential.
Psychodynamic therapy is a relational orientation, where the client-therapist relationship is central to the approach. It becomes a major tool in helping a client access their emotions and process their thoughts. It is in this conversant relationship that a client is able to feel heard and empowered.
Existential therapy is about trying to make sense of ones purpose and reason for living. Some issues that might be discussed are death, freedom, responsibility, isolation and suffering. We address internal conflicts between how one feels and the circumstances around them.
My approach is Psychodynamic and Existential.
Psychodynamic therapy is a relational orientation, where the client-therapist relationship is central to the approach. It becomes a major tool in helping a client access their emotions and process their thoughts. It is in this conversant relationship that a client is able to feel heard and empowered.
Existential therapy is about trying to make sense of ones purpose and reason for living. Some issues that might be discussed are death, freedom, responsibility, isolation and suffering. We address internal conflicts between how one feels and the circumstances around them.
Treatment Specializations
- Depression: I use empathy, active listening, strong attending skills and silence to help the client process their feelings. I create an environment where clients can broaden their range of feelings, and help them uncover feelings that have been buried or gone unrecognized. I encourage clients to increase their physical activity if applicable, engage their world again and find the courage to live again.
- Anxiety: I am skilled in helping a client uncover the deeper issues that may be underlying their present anxiety. My approach is to allow the client to process their thoughts and feelings, validate their efforts to cope with difficult stressors and then teach the client how to live in the moment, rather than the future.
- OCD: I help clients process how their obsessions and compulsions have worked for them and how they have been a hindrance. Obsessive thoughts are usually about meeting a need, so I help the client explore the deeper need beneath their obsessive patterns and find more healthy ways to cope with life.
- Couples: Intimate relationships are an important part of life. I help clients explore their role in their relationships, teach them how to communicate effectively and clearly and problem-solve situations that have left them feeling stuck.
- Bipolar Disorder: My focus is on self regulation, stability and relationship satisfaction.
- PTSD: I utilize EMDR as an important tool to lower high levels of distress so that the trauma no longer has the power to paralyze you.
- Academic and Behavioral Problems: I collaborate with academic professionals and psychologists who evaluate cognitive and learning problems.
- Faith and Spirituality: I help clients stabilize their view of themselves, so that their identity is not rooted in their failures or their accomplishments, but in their trusted higher power. I support clients with their faith values, which enable them to transcend the complexities of life. I help them gain a sense of grounded-ness in their lives that will stand the test of time through the good and the bad times of life.
- Career and life Transitions: I offer a listening ear to those who might want to process their thoughts about life's critical transitions. Some examples might be: job changes, new parents, unemployment, chronic illness, adoption issues, academic challenges, etc.
