Life Crisis and Pastoral Counseling (click here) — an article by Liston Mills

Is Pastoral Counseling for You?
Pastoral Counselors offer a variety of ways to alleviate mental and emotional problems and to move through life's crises and transitions. Based on psychosocial research, religious principles, and cultural understandings, the pastoral counselor, after careful assessment of the problem, recommends one or more particular ways of helping­for example, individual counseling/psychotherapy, group therapy, couples counseling, marriage and family therapy, spiritual guidance, short-term counseling. In some instances the pastoral counselor may feel that the help needed can best be provided by some other mental health professional or some other pastoral counselor. If that is the case, the pastoral counselor will assist the counselee in finding a more appropriate professional. Whether the pastoral counselor provides the needed treatment or makes the referral, the decision is always made in consultation with the counselee and will be based on what seems to be in the counselee's best interest.

Benefits and Risks of Counseling
There are benefits and risks involved in receiving counseling. Counseling can help increase self-awareness and understanding, bolster self-esteem, reduce internal and interpersonal conflict, alter distressing moods, and improve communication.

What you achieve depends primarily on your own goals and motivation. At the same time, you must know that you may experience unpleasant feelings while discussing matters that trouble you. You may also discover that some situations cannot be changed to your satisfaction; thus leaving you with difficult decisions to make. Nevertheless, your counselor is committed and qualified to assist you in facing such feelings and circumstances.

You are in full control of what you want to accomplish in counseling. Your success depends largely on your willingness to speak openly and honestly. Because you are sharing important and sensitive information about yourself, our staff dedicates itself to provide a relationship of confidentiality.

Cost of Pastoral Counseling
Fees for pastoral counseling are based on the amount of time involved and the type of help needed. Ordinarily, appointments are once or twice a week and last about 45 - 50 minutes. Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee has an adjustable fee scale based on income and general ability to pay. In some instances it is possible to have psychotherapy partly covered by health insurance. It is part of our mission to turn no one away who is in need of counseling because of their inability to pay the counseling fees.

The cost of counseling is discussed carefully at some point during the first interview with your pastoral counselor, and a mutual agreement is reached before the actual counseling begins.