Today, we need compassionate, ethical mental health professionals who can meet the needs of diverse communities and help to bring peace and healing to those struggling with life’s sometimes volatile circumstances. 

In order to become a clinical mental health counselor, you need to choose a quality academic program that will prepare you to meet the unique mental and spiritual demands of a culturally diverse world. One way to achieve the skills needed to serve as a mental health counselor is through pastoral counseling certification. 

Let’s dive into your options for achieving the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively treat clients through responsible pastoral counseling and care.

What is pastoral Counseling?

Pastoral counseling refers to the branch of clinical mental health counseling that integrates psychological counseling methods through the lens of spirituality. In the most general sense, pastoral care refers to the emotional and spiritual support that’s needed throughout all cultures and traditions. Pastoral counselors are responsible for combining the science of psychology with spirituality and faith.

At Neumann University, we offer two unique pastoral counseling certification options:

• Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS)
• Pastoral Care Specialist Certificate (CPCS)

Certificate courses are offered for students who are continuing professional education programs and who want discipline-specific, accessible programs. The courses are shorter than your average graduate degree programs and are usually completed in less than one year.

In some cases, credits earned in a certificate program can be transferred to a traditional master’s program, such as the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. At Neumann University, we have integrated both pastoral care and counseling into our certificate programs.

CAS Certification: Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling Certificate of Advanced Study

For students who are seeking professional enrichment or who wish to integrate pastoral identity into a previous master’s degree in the mental health field, then a Certificate of Advanced Study may be a great option for you. Students in this program are required to fulfill 18 graduate credits. With faculty recommendation, students may transfer their credits toward the traditional master’s degree.

Upon completion of the CAS program, students are able to:

• Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the relationship between spirituality and psychology, both in theory and clinical practice.
• Develop basic knowledge of the spectrum of psychological theories and clinical modalities.
• Understand the differences between spiritual leadership, pastoral counseling, and spiritual direction.
• Explore the various paths for further professional development in the pastoral counseling field and have sufficient information to pursue them, if so desired.

CPCS Certification: Pastoral Care Specialist Certificate

The Certificate for the Pastoral Care Specialist is for deacons, ministers, and/or lay pastoral caregivers who, while involved in ministries of pastoral support and caregiving, do not aspire to function as a pastoral counselor/psychotherapist.

This certificate combines pastoral identity, spirituality, and pastoral care practice through a combination of theoretical understanding and practical skills.

Upon finishing this certificate, students will be able to:

• Understand pastoral care theology and principles.
• Embrace holistic training in the integration of the psychological with the spiritual.
• Develop competencies in crisis intervention, substance abuse, grief and loss, and supportive counseling methods for individuals, marriages, and families, as well as diagnosis and referrals.
• Increase awareness of the importance of demographic issues (such as age, faith tradition, ethnicity, and gender) when dealing with a diverse population of clients.

Career Outlook for Clinical Mental Health Counselors

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the projected job growth for a mental health counselor is 19 percent over the next 10 years, which is significantly higher than the average job growth for most occupations.

The roles available to you as a knowledgeable mental health counselor are available in diverse environments. While some of these positions require the completion of a master’s degree, you can expect to be qualified for various careers, such as:

• Mental Health Therapist
• Group Counselor
• Marriage and Family Counselor
• Substance Abuse Counselor
• Outpatient Therapist
• Case Manager
• Clinical Supervisor

Counseling from a Holistic Perspective: Neumann University’s Pastoral Counseling Certifications

If you want to develop the sought-after skills needed to meet the needs of diverse individuals and communities by providing holistic client care, then you’ve come to the right place. Neumann University offers a respected Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling as well as two pastoral counseling certificates for students looking to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Whichever master’s degree or pastoral counseling certification option you end up choosing, Neumann University will give you the knowledge to further your professional education in the clinical mental health counseling space.

If you're just starting to become interested in pastoral counseling, we invite you to request more information. You can also schedule a one-on-one appointment with an admissions counselor or start your online application today.