Bridging the Gap in Parishioner Care: From Church to Clinic

As ministers often serve as the primary point of contact for parishioners experiencing emotional distress, knowing when and where to refer to a licensed counselor offers an opportunity to shape spiritual care and clinical outcome. This seminar will focus on equipping ministers with a practical framework in helping their congregants find competent, theologically appropriate, and ethically grounded counselors. Topics will include an overview of therapeutic approaches, common indicators for needing to refer, how to evaluate a counselor’s training and world view, and offer tools for collaborative care alongside a mental health professional once care is started.