The Difference Between Pastoral Counseling And Pneumatic Counseling

Pastoral Counseling is defined as: "A branch of counseling in which psychologically trained ministers, rabbis, priests, imans and others provide therapy services. Typically pastoral counselors are those who have received both religious training as well as training in behavioral science. When the pastoral counselor uses counseling within the guidelines of a clinical practice there is an integration of both psychological and theological disciplines. A typical program includes a three-year professional degree from a seminary and a master's or doctoral degree in pastoral counseling, with supervised clinical experience and one's own personal psychotherapy (May 1997 edition of The Harvard Mental Health Letter by Merle R. Jordan, Th.D., Albert V. Danielsen Professor of Pastoral Psychology at Boston University School of Theology and a Diplomate in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.) In most states, no license is required to perform pastoral counseling, and many persons practicing under the title are parish ministers, priests, or rabbis who are not affiliated with AAPC. A national licensing examination is being developed by AAPC, whose members are also accountable to their faith communities.

Pneumatic Counseling is slightly different in that the training of the counselor is primarily founded upon the concept of scripture that sees man as a "Nephes (nepes)" or living soul. Behavior is examined in light of scripture and scriptural paradigms. These paradigms will explore the nature of behavior as a created being who at one time experience the image and likeness of God (Adam). Pneumatic Counseling will also explore the antithetical image of God that now operates in fallen humanity that even contradicts the new nature within the believer. Pneumatic Counselors must major in theological studies that include:

1. Integrated Essencology

2. Anthroappologetics

3. Adamics

4. Phusiology

5. Nepheshiological Studies

Because Pneumatic Counseling has the focus of empowering the individual to become a spiritual being that is adjusted within the person-hood it major focus is also the realignment of the individual with Christ and therefore an integration with the spiritual nature of Christ that is indicated within scripture. The goal for pneumatic counseling is that one becomes spiritual and healthy as a spiritual being who is not imbalanced within their thinking and emotional state but balanced an capable of operating within the society as a productive and socially adjusted individual. The end goal of pneumatic counseling is always to produce spiritual persons who are healthy, confident and having the capacity to be a socially healthy individual that can and does function in society as an asset to society and the community at large.