Find a Spiritual Counselor

Medically reviewed by Gabriela Asturias, MD on June 24, 2024
Written by the MiResource team

Mental health care has evolved to recognize the importance of addressing both psychological and spiritual well-being. For individuals seeking mental health support that aligns with their faith and values, pastoral counseling offers a unique approach that integrates traditional therapeutic techniques with spiritual guidance. This comprehensive guide will help you understand what pastoral counseling entails, who provides these services, and how to find the right support for your needs.

  • InSoon Hoagland, Pastoral Counselor

    InSoon Hoagland

    Pastoral Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

    205 South 5th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048

    InSoon Hoagland is a Pastoral Counselor in Leavenworth, Kansas and has been in practice for 23 years. They treat Aging, Work/Life Balance, Depression.

    At SCC you will learn to channel your pain, move toward productive paths, and focus on healing and discovering the hope and peace in your life journey.

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  • Russ Rainey, Pastoral Counselor

    Russ Rainey

    Pastoral Counselor, Counselor

    4904 Waters Edge Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27606

    Russ Rainey is a Pastoral Counselor in Raleigh, North Carolina. They treat Men's Issues, Relationship(s) with Parents/Children/Family, Peer Difficulties.

    I am a PhD in Counseling, have 35 years of experience, taught counseling, and have directed counseling centers and recovery programs. I love what I do!

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  • Kevin Weber, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

    Kevin Weber

    Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Pastoral Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

    1829 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27514

    Kevin Weber is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and has been in practice for 13 years. They treat Anxiety, Career, Marriage / Couples Counseling.

    I'm Kevin and I'm a Professional Listener. I listen for things that are unspoken and can provide helpful guidance in all areas of your life.

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  • Orlando Dowdy, Pastoral Counselor

    Orlando Dowdy

    Pastoral Counselor, Psychotherapist, Hypnotherapist

    3811 North Roxboro Street, Durham, North Carolina 27704

    Orlando Dowdy is a Pastoral Counselor in Durham, North Carolina and has been in practice for 20 years. They treat Work/Life Balance, Racial/Cultural Oppression or Trauma, Grief and Loss.

    Helping people is my passion. I do not believe anyone should live in distress. I have a long history of helping people through depression and anxiety. Hel

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  • Valley Hope Norton, Pastoral Counselor

    Valley Hope Norton

    Pastoral Counselor, Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

    709 West Holme Street, Norton, Kansas 67654

    Valley Hope Norton is a Pastoral Counselor in Norton, Kansas. They treat Substance Use.

    Valley Hope of Norton outpatient provides quality addiction treatment while patients continue to live at home & maintain family/work responsibilities

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  • Michael McCaron, Associate Marriage and Family Therapist

    Michael McCaron

    Associate Marriage and Family Therapist, Certified Clinical Social Worker (CSW), Certified Social Worker (CSW), Certified Trauma Professional, Community Resource, Counselor, Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Associate Counselor (LAC), Licensed Clinical Addictions Counselor (LCAC), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate (LCSWA), Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Master Level Psychologist (LMLP), Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), Licensed Masters Addiction Counselor (LMAC), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Psychological Examiner-Independent, Licensed Social Worker (LSW), Licensed Specialist Clinical Social Work (LSCSW), Limited Licensed Master Social Worker (LLMSW), Limited Licensed Professional Counselor (LLPC), Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT), Marriage, Family, and Child Counselor (MFCC), Pastoral Counselor, Pre-Licensed Professional, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, Sport Psychologist

    4025 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104

    Michael McCaron is a Associate Marriage and Family Therapist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They treat Eating Concerns, Personality Disorders, Histrionic Personality.

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What Is Pastoral Counseling?

Pastoral counseling is a specialized form of mental health care that combines psychological principles with spiritual and religious perspectives. Pastoral counselors integrate psychology and spirituality in a rigorous, informed, and clinically responsible way, offering a holistic approach to healing that addresses both emotional and spiritual concerns.

Unlike traditional therapy that focuses solely on psychological factors, pastoral counseling acknowledges the role of faith, spirituality, and religious beliefs in mental health and recovery. This approach recognizes that for many individuals, spiritual well-being is inseparable from overall mental health.


Types of Pastoral Care Professionals

Christian Counselor

A christian counselor is a mental health professional who incorporates Christian principles, biblical teachings, and faith-based perspectives into their therapeutic practice. These counselors typically hold advanced degrees in counseling or psychology and have received specialized training in integrating faith with mental health treatment. They serve clients who want their therapeutic journey to align with Christian values and beliefs.

Christian counselors may work in private practice, church settings, or faith-based counseling centers. They address a wide range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, relationship issues, grief, and spiritual struggles, all while maintaining a Christian worldview in their approach to treatment.

Spiritual Counselor Near Me

When searching for a "spiritual counselor near me," you're looking for mental health professionals who integrate spiritual practices and beliefs into their therapeutic work, regardless of specific religious affiliation. These counselors may work with clients from various faith traditions or those exploring spirituality without adhering to organized religion.

Spiritual counselors often incorporate meditation, prayer, mindfulness practices, and exploration of meaning and purpose into their sessions. They understand that spiritual distress can contribute to mental health challenges and that spiritual growth can be a powerful component of healing.

Chaplain Counselor

A chaplain counselor is typically a ordained minister or religious leader who provides both spiritual care and counseling services. Chaplains are commonly found in hospitals, military settings, universities, and correctional facilities, where they offer support to individuals facing crisis situations, trauma, or significant life transitions.

Chaplain counselors receive specialized training in crisis intervention, grief counseling, and providing spiritual support in institutional settings. They serve people of all faiths and backgrounds, adapting their approach to meet the spiritual and emotional needs of diverse populations.


Pastoral Counseling Services

Scope of Services

Pastoral counseling services encompass a wide range of mental health and spiritual support options. These services typically include:

Individual Counseling: One-on-one sessions addressing personal struggles, mental health concerns, and spiritual questions. Counselors help clients explore how their faith intersects with their psychological well-being.

Couples and Marriage Counseling: Faith-based relationship counseling that incorporates spiritual principles and religious teachings about marriage and partnership. These services help couples strengthen their relationship while honoring their shared faith values.

Family Counseling: Therapeutic support for families dealing with conflict, communication issues, or major life transitions, all while considering the family's spiritual foundation and religious practices.

Group Counseling: Support groups that combine therapeutic principles with spiritual exploration, allowing participants to share experiences and grow together in faith and healing.

Crisis Intervention: Emergency support for individuals experiencing acute mental health crises, incorporating both professional clinical skills and spiritual comfort.

Grief and Loss Support: Specialized counseling for those mourning the loss of loved ones, addressing both emotional pain and spiritual questions about death, afterlife, and meaning.

Treatment Approaches

Pastoral counseling combines cognitive-behavioral theory, biblical teaching, and leading mental health research, creating an integrated approach to treatment. Common therapeutic methods used in pastoral counseling include:

  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy with spiritual integration
  • Narrative therapy incorporating faith stories and religious texts
  • Solution-focused therapy grounded in spiritual strengths
  • Mindfulness and meditation practices rooted in religious tradition
  • Prayer and spiritual disciplines as therapeutic tools

Find care for Pastoral Counselor

Remember, recovery is possible. With early intervention, a supportive network, and the right professional care, you can overcome the challenges of Pastoral Counselor and build a fulfilling life. We are here to help you find care.

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