Looks at different ways of looking at Pastoral Counseling in terms of such things a coaching, discipleship, mentoring, spiritual direction, and historical and clinical pastoral care.

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Categories of Pastoral
Counseling
(Coaching, Mentoring, Spiritual
Direction, Discipleship)
By Robert H. Munson, ThD
Celia P. Munson, M.Div., BCPC
Bukal Life Care, 2019

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It is Kind of Confusing... So Let's Start
from a Few Ideas
1. Pastoral Theology: is a form of Practical Theology,
and can be definied as the “...study of how and
why Christians care.” (Margaret Whipp. Pastoral Theology
(London: SCM Press, 2015))
2. Pastoral Care: “...consists of helping acts,
done by representative Christian persons,
directed toward the healing, sustaining, guiding,
and reconciling of troubled persons whose
troubles arise in the context of ultimate
meanings and concerns.” (William A. Clebsch and Charles R.
Jaekle, Pastoral Care in Historical Perspective (Upper Saddle River, New Jersey:
Prentiss-Hall, 1964))

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Continuation
Therefore, Pastoral Care can be seen as the
application of Pastoral Theology.
3. Pastoral Counseling can be seen as a form of
Pastoral Care. Noting that Clebsch and Jaekle's
definition for Pastoral Care includes “Guiding.”
However, even sustaining, healing, and reconciling
utilize conversation (or Pastoral Counseling).
Pastoral Counseling would be counseling that is
consistent with Pastoral Care and Pastoral
Theology.

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Note on Pastoral Counseling
David Benner sees Pastoral Care as having two
specialized guiding ministries: Pastoral
Counseling, and Spiritual Direction.
This view makes a lot of sense, but in this
presentation, Pastoral Counseling will be shown
as a broad category with various subsets
including Spiritual Direction.

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There are Different Ways of
Categorizing Pastoral Counseling
The following are a few ways:
1. Historical Versus Clinical
2. Repair versus Growth
3. Relationship between Social Sciences and
Theology
4. “Kite” Model of Types of Care versus Types of
Goals.

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1. Historical versus Clinical
In the late 19th
century, Psychology (and other
social science) began to be developed as
unique disciplines. They existed before that
time, but were generally seen as part of
Philosophy or Theology.
The impact of these Social Sciences on Pastoral
Care truly began to be felt in the early 20th
century.

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Historical Pastoral Care/Counseling
Draws first from the Bible... especially in the metaphor
of the Shepherd. Therefore, passages such as Psalm
23, Ezekiel 34, and John 10 are particularly relevant.
Additionally, it draws from the work of others such as
Origen, Augustine, Gregory the Great, Tertullian,
Luther, Calvin, Bucher, and many more from Church
History. These provided the wisdom for how clerics
should provide care for the “flock.”
These people drew from the Bible, from other Wisdom
sources of the time, and personal experience.

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Clinical Pastoral Care Movement
This movement, tied to Clinical Pastoral Education
(CPE) or Clinical Pastoral Training (CPT) developed
in the 1920s through the work of Boisin, Cabot,
Dunbar, and others.
It intentionally sought to integrate faith, religion, and
theology with the findings of psychology,
anthropology, and sociology.
The term clinical (related to the Latin term for
“bedside”) emphasized that one's care must be
practical and challenged by experience.

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Clinical Pastoral Care
General Traits:

Its focus has been in chaplaincy environments:
hospitals, jails, hospices, atbp. More recently,
there has been growing focus in churches,
parishes, communities.

Clinical Pastoral Care often can be seen as
tending to focus more on psychological
principles than theological principles... but
really this varies with the practitioner.

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Pastoral Care/Counseling Today
The growth of Clinical Pastoral Care has in many
places supplanted Historical Pastoral Care. It is
wise, however, to study and learn from both.
In attempting to disconnect from the social
sciences, some have responded with a “Bible-
only” approach (utlizing the tagline “sufficiency
of Scripture”). This, however, is a rejection both
of clinical and historical pastoral care, since it
rejects, or at least fails to recognize, the insights
of 2000 years of Christ history in pastoral care.

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2. Repair Versus Growth
Traditionally, Psychology was more focused on
Repair and Pathology. In more recent years has
been the growth of “Positive Psychology.” For
Positive Psychology, rather than focusing on
what is wrong in some people, the focus is
placed on what is right or good in some people.
Then one seeks to figure out how “normal”
people can grow and be better than they were.

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We can do the same thing in Pastoral
Care
Divide PASTORAL CARE
into two categories:
models of Pastoral
COUNSELING (More on
repair/ recovery)
and models of Christian
COACHING (more on
directed growth)
“Kintsugi” Art
Topiary

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Coaching
Coaching is... “the art and practice of guiding a person or
group from where they are to a greater competence and
fulfillment they desire.” -Gary R. Collins
God, through the Holy Spirit, initiates change, the
coachee discovers change through action, experience
and motivation. Coaches help facilitate that process.
Types include: Mentoring, Discipling (group / intentional
one-on-one), Christian Life Coaching, Spiritual Direction

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There is no clear line between Counseling and
Coaching. Consider the areas of Pastoral Care
from different writers
Seward Hiltner (1958). Healing, Guiding, Sustaining
Clebsch and Jaeckle (1964). Healing, Guiding, Sustaining, Reconciling
Howard Clinebell (1966). Healing, Guiding, Sustaining, Reconciling,
Nurturing.
Andrew Lester (1995). Healing, Guiding, Sustaining, Reconciling,
Liberating.
Emmanuel Lartey (2003). Healing, Guiding, Sustaining, Reconciling,
Nurturing, Liberating, Empowering.
Healing, Sustaining, Liberating appear to clearly be associated with
repair. Nurturing and Empowering may sound more like associated
with growth. Reconciling and Guding perhaps could be seen as either
one. However, there is too much overlap to separate them completely.

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What to Take from This?
There is no DSM-V for Pastoral Counseling or Coaching. This is a
good thing. Pastoral Counseling works with people where they
are, and tries to help them go where they want to go--- not
define pathological conditions. (Labelling is not recommended
in Pastoral counseling)
If they feel that something is wrong with their lives, one tries to
help them be “less wrong.” If they don't feel that something is
wrong, but simply want something to be better, than one tries to
help them be “better.”
“Less Wrong” and “Better” are directionally the same. That and the
fact that Pastoral Counselors have limited ability to pick and
choose their careseekers, means that repair and growth will
tend to be together and simultaneous in care.

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2. Categorization of Pastoral Counseling
based on Relationship of Theology to
Psychology
Many of the forms of counseling can be
understood in terms of four quadrants.
1. They may be identified in whether they focus
more on theology or more on psychology.
2. They may be identified in whether they seek to
integrate theology and psychology more, or
tend to keep the two separate.
<Note: Descriptions of the four major models here are based
generally on Timothy Keller's article “Four Models of
Counseling in Pastoral Ministry”>

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Psychology and Theology

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Levels of Explanation Model
Basic premise: Psychology deals with psychological
and natural problems in human behavior and
relationships. The Bible looks at spiritual problems
and our relationship with God. As such they are
separate disciplines that deal with unrelated
problems.
It may separate (theology for spiritual issues,
psychology for psychoemotional issues, etc.) or
may bring in both perspectivally (each provide an
important viewpoint, but don't really inform each
other.)

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Levels of Explanation Model
“The rich fabric of the total picture given to us in
Scripture brings to mind the similarly rich
complexity of the total picture of human nature
given to us through the scientific endeavor today.
Both emphasize the complexity of human nature,
the need to understand and study it from many
diverse aspects or perspectives, and the need to
recognize that human nature is a unity – a unity
now in this present life and, by the grace of God,
a unity in the life to come.” -David Myers and
Malcolm Jeeves

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Integration Model
Basic premise: Psychology and biblical theology are
both looking at the same thing—human nature. Two
different tools to study human beings, “general
revelation” and “special revelation.” They give
priority to the Bible (foundational role) when there is
conflict, but may give science priority in common
practice.
Key phrase: “All Truth is God's Truth.”

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Integration Model
Built off of the concept, the Unity of Truth, if
psychological principles are not seen to be
contradictory to God's Word, one should be open to
the possibility that they are true.
In integrating the two, there is (1) the possibility for
theology to challenge the social sciences, and (2)
allow the social sciences to challenge our theology.
(Some may be bothered by this second part until one
realizes that this is not about challenging the Bible, but
rather challenging our contextualized interpretation of
the Bible.)

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Christian Psychology Model
Basic premise: The Bible/Theology critiques
psychology at a foundational level.
Foundationally, theology dominates, but
psychological techniques may be brought in
as part of the therapy. In practice, this tends
to be counselor-driven rather than theory-
driven.

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Christian Psychology Model
“For the Christian psychologist, integration
involves a recognition of the ultimate
authority of the Bible, a willingness to learn
what God has allowed humans to discover
through psychology and other fields of
knowledge, and a desire to determine how
both scriptural truths and psychological data
can enable us better to understand and help
people.” -Gary R. Collins

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Integrationist and Christian Psychology
Approaches
They may seem quite similar philosophically... and
they are.
However, one will tend to take a more rigorously
psychological approach, while the other may
tend to use psychological tools eclectically.
Both however, would generally see God's
revelation as canon, or the standard, upon
which care is to be grounded.

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Biblical (Nouthetic) Counseling Model
Basic premise: A high level of distrust of modern
psychology and psychological methodology.
Psychological insights should be used with
extreme caution. The older approach, formulated
by Jay Adams, put great emphasis on behavioral
change and the adoption of patterns of biblical
living. Much emphasis on sin, repentance, and
redemption.
Key Phrase: Sufficiency of Scripture

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Biblical (Nouthetic) Counseling Model
“Nouthetic Counseling helps by confronting sin,
praying for encouraging repentance, renewing
the mind, identifying idols, pointing them to the
sufficient Scriptures. Lastly, Nouthetic
counseling helps to battle against the current
Christian counseling movement that seeks to
rename sin, omit sorrow/repentance, remain
man-centered and felt needs oriented.”
-www.calebcounseling.org

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Can Historical and Clinical Pastoral
Counseling fit into This?
Historical Pastoral Counseling tends to line up
with the Christian Psychology quadrant as
primacy is placed on theology, although secular
sciences were not devalued.
Clinical Pastoral Counseling tends to line up more
with the Integrationist quadrant, as there is a
stronger emphasis on the social sciences.

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Which One is Best?
Often it depends on the problem. Consider SIN for a
moment.

If the problem is “Sin I have done,” then Biblical
Counseling may be best.

If the problem is “Sin done unto me,” then the
Integrationist or Christian Psychology may be more
helpful.

If the problem is more related to “Living in a Sin-
damaged world,” such as organic or deep seated
psychopathologies, Integrationist or Levels of
Explanation, may assist better.

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3. Pastoral Counseling “Kite” Model

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Along the Horizontal Axis, one can divide into
counseling more focused on solving problems
or more on developing character
Solution focused counseling is more in line with
Life Coaching, and Discipleship
Character focused counseling is more in line with
Mentoring and Spiritual Direction

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Along the Vertical Axis, one can divide into
counseling more focused on spiritual care or
more on holistic care
Spiritually-focused counseling is more in line with
Discipleship and Spiritual Direction
Holistically-focused counseling is more in line with
Mentoring and Life Coaching

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Additional Note:
Some also use the terms:
Pastoral Psychotherapy
and
Spiritual Counseling
The terms typically say more about the one who
uses the term than the distinctiveness of the
form of counseling.

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Discipleship
The term disciple essentially means a trainee, so a wide
range of learning/growing situations could be
described as discipleship.
However, in the present era, discipleship is generally
viewed rather narrowly. It tends to be more cognitive
(knowing doctrine) and behavioral (reading Scripture,
praying, and integrating into a faith community).
As such, it presumes a problem (spiritual immaturity),
and seeks to help the disciple grow spiritually.
It embraces a more didactic model of change.

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Mentoring
Mentoring is more holistic than modern
discipleship, and more relational.
The mentor is one in whom the protoge' (or
mentee) seeks to learn and grow from.
While discipleship is more short-term and driven
by the discipler, mentoring is commonly long-
term and driven more by the mentee.
The following chart shows some differences.

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Discipling versus Mentoring
It should be noted that Jesus, in today's language, woud be
seen more as a mentor than a discipler.
Discipleship Mentoring
Models Paul with Timothy Barnabas and John Mark
Primary
focus
Content Relationship
Type of role Teaching new spiritual truths Caring for and helping a person in all
aspects of life.
Whose
agenda?
Discipler's agenda (spiritual
disciplines)
Protege's agenda (goals/problems)
Training? Training and mastery of
spiritual disciplines
Practical life experience relevant to the
protege
Chemistry? Respect Repect and personal chemistry
Essential
message
To mature spiritually, here is what
you need to know, do, or become
How can I help you get where you are
going?

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Spiritual Direction
Spiritual Direction is quite a bit like Christian Life
Coaching. However, its scope is generally more
narrow. It tends to focus on two major areas:

Religious Experience

Relationship with God
While the work that spiritual directors do with
their directees vary... much of the work tends to
be in areas of prayer, meditation, and ritual.

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What to Use (According to Len Sperry)?
Concern Treatment
I Relationship with God, prayer and prayer problems,
spiritual practices, discernment regarding spiritual
experiences, spiritual emergencies
Spiritual Direction
II Issues involving the meaning and purpose of life,
discernment regarding major life decisions, issues
involving self-development.
Spiritual Direction,
Pastoral
Care/Counseling
III Moral/ethical issues involving oneself; moral and/or
ethical issues involving relationships; moral and/or
ethical issues involving work or social justice
Philosophical
Counseling
IV Losses/grieving, relational conflicts, work, family, self
imbalances, work/school problems, failed expectations,
mild to moderate symptoms or impairment.
Pastoral Counseling
V Moderate to severe symptoms or impairments,
characterological or personality-disordered behavior,
addictions, sequelae of early life trauma
Psychological
Counseling,
Psychotherapy

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Spiritual Direction: Religious
Experience
This considers how we relate to God based on
how we appear to be designed. Some describe
this in terms of “Spiritual Temperaments.” We
don't all relate to God in the same way. This is
not a problem. Arguably this is good and how
God has planned things. Gary L. Thomas
describes 9 such temperaments in his book
“Sacred Pathways.”

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Spiritual Direction: Religious
Experience
These nine temperaments are:
Naturalist Sensate
Traditionalist Activist
Ascetic Caregiver
Enthusiast Contemplative
Intellectual
<The goal, commonly, would be to focus on one's strongest
temperaments while also seeking some balance through
learning to appreciate other temperaments.>

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Spiritual Direction: Relationship with
God
Spiritual Direction often focuses on prayer and
meditation, as well as different types of prayer
and rituals to expand on these areas. However,
in a broader sense, these are aspects of a
larger category known as “Spiritual
Disciplines.”

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Spiritual Direction: Relationship with
God
There are many different lists for spiritual
disciplines. Here are a few such disciplines:
Prayer Study Meditation Fasting
Simplicity Solitude Submission Service
Confession Worship Celebration
Evangelism Journaling Sacrifice
Worship Silence Frugality
Fellowship
<From Dallas Willard, Richard Foster and Donald Whitney>

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Life Coaching
“A coach starts with a growth goal, then uses
intuitive listening and powerful questions to open
up the conversation. Once the information is out
on the table, the coach narrows the conversation
down toward a specific solution. By the end, the
client has a strategy and specific actions to take
to accomplish the goal.”
-Tony Stoltzfus (2005)

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Life Coaching
Life coaching then is very solution-focused. It is also
coachee-focused in that the coach typically does not
drive the conversation, but allows the coachee to
identify areas that he or she seeks to fix or grow.
Although life coaching is listed as being “solution-
focused,” it can also be used in character development
or growth. However, it is very intentionally linked to a
pattern of identifying a goal, considering strategies,
establishing a plan, carrying out the plan, evaluating the
results, and making adjustments. As such, it has much
in common with solution-focused therapies.

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Christian Life Coaching
The life coach helps the coachee identify areas of
growth (spiritual, behavioral, or otherwise),
comes up (mutually) with strategies and
concrete plans/steps to grow, and then assists
the coachee with accountability, evaluation, and
adjustment.
Life coaching can be secular. Christian life
coaching is not markedly different, but takes
serious the spiritual aspect along with other
aspects of holistic change.

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Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral Counseling may have aspects of all of
the categories listed above. It is best
understood in broadness rather than
narrowness of:

Aim

Method

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References
Much of this comes from our books:
The Art of Pastoral Care by Robert and Celia Munson
Dynamics in Pastoral Care also by Robert and Celia
Munson

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Additional References
“Pastoral Care in Historical Perspectives,” Book. by Clebsch and Jaekle, 1964.
“Care of Souls in the Classic Tradition,” Book. by Thomas Oden
“Skillful Shepherds: An Introduction to Pastoral Theology,” Book, by Derek J. Tidball.
“Preface to Pastoral Theology,” Book. by Seward Hiltner, 1958.
“Types of Pastoral Care and Counseling,” Book. by Howard Clinebell, 1966.
“Hope in Pastoral Care & Counseling,” Book. by Andrew Lester, 1995.
“The Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling,” Book. by Rodney J. Hunter, Ed.,
“Six Functions of Pastoral Care,” Internet Resource, by Jan Corbett-Jones.
“Four Models of Counseling in Pastoral Ministry,” Article. By Timothy Keller,
“Would you ditch your therapist for a “philosophical counselor”?” Article, by Olivia Goldhill
“Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide” by Gary R. Collins, 2007.
“Transforming Self and Community” by Len Sperry, 2005.
“Integrating Spiritual Direction Functions in the Practice of Psychotherapy” by Len Sperry, 2005.

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Additional References
“Coach, Counsel, Change.” Lecture Notes. Presented by Gillian Vriend.
Biehl, Bobb. “Mentoring: Confidence in Finding a Mentor and Becoming One.” Book. By Bob Biehl
“Comparing the Five Views Christians Take to Psychology,” Presentation. By Eric Johnson,
“Pastoral Theology,” Book. By Margaret Whipp.
“Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.” Book. By Don Whitney.
“Celebration of Discipline.” Book. By Richard J. Foster.
“The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God
Changes Lives.” Book. By Dallas Willard,
“Strategic Pastoral Counseling: A Short-term Structured Model.” Book. By David A. Benner.
“Sacred Pathways: Discovery Your Soul's Path to God.” Book. By Gary Thomas