Pastoral Counseling Questions

1)  What is pastoral counseling? Pastoral Counseling is psychotherapy in which the Soul and the spiritual dimension of healing are honored.

2)  What kinds of problems can I discuss with a pastoral counselor? Any and all problems of life are discussed, especially issues pertaining to marriage, parenting, family, work, identity, life’s meaning, spiritual and religious life, medical concerns, aging, retirement, blended families, sexual orientation, and divorce. Spiritual direction and Divorce Mediation are also available.

3)  What happens during a counseling session? Within a relationship of pastoral caring, issues challenging the client are worked on in an effort to find resolution and growth.

5)  Do people really feel that they were helped? Clients generally find Pastoral Counseling to make their life better.

6)  Is counseling really confidential? The Pastoral Counselor is a Mandated Reporter in Connecticut and is obligated to report child and elder abuse, otherwise Pastoral Counseling is confidential.

7)  Am I expected to be a church member?  Everyone is welcomed at the Center, whether they are or are not a member of a faith community.

8)  What if my faith is different from my counselor's? The Pastoral Counselor respects the faith of each client

9)  How many counseling sessions will I probably need? The number of sessions usually depends on the severity of the issues and the capacity of the client to work on their issues.

10)  What kind of training will my counselor have had? Each staff person has received academic and clinical training that meets the professional standards for pastoral counseling providers.

11) Will my counselor also be a pastor? Clients have the choice to have a Pastoral Counselor who is an ordained Pastor.

12) Will I get to choose my counselor? Each client has a choice to see either a male or female Pastoral Counselor, and since we have various area locations, each client can also choose which location they would like.

13) What are your fees? Our regular fee is $95 per session and we have a sliding scale fee for those with financial limitations.

14) Will my insurance cover my counseling? Insurance might help depending on a person’s coverage.

15) How does a sliding scale work? The sliding scale is used when the Pastoral Counselor decides the client is unable to pay the regular fee. Then a fee less than the regular fee is established with the client, according to their ability to pay.  

16) What about medication? Pastoral Counselors have clients who are in the care of Psychiatrists and Physicians who are prescribing psychotropic medication.