Doctor of Ministry

Pastoral Care and Counseling Emphasis Curriculum

UNITS OF STUDY:
The Doctor of Ministry with emphasis on Pastoral Care and Counseling is a three year program. Normally, the first two years are academic and clinical work, followed by a third year focus on dissertation/project. The total number of semester units in this program is: 30 (21 class work and 9 dissertation/project). This translates to about 140 class hours per year. These units of study will be spread out over the courses described below.

RESOURCE SEMINARS:
Normally, the course work in the Doctor of Ministry is taught in the format of a doctoral level seminar, where student participation and responsibility for learning is maximized. The following resource seminars are normally offered, divided by categories.

PASTOR AS PERSON

Genograms in Client Assessment (1 unit)
The genogram is a tool for making assessments with individuals, couples, and families in pastoral counseling. We will practice using the genogram in class, learning to deepen understandings of persons in relationship. The class experience will focus on ways the genogram can be used to help clients experience their journeys in emotionally present ways. We will also emphasize seeing the self as part of a system and multigenerational family dynamics and patterns. Year one.

Foundations of Pastoral Counseling (.5 unit)
This course explores the historical and theological foundations for the specialized ministry of pastoral care and counseling. We will explore several of the more significant biblical themes such as fear and faith, death and rebirth and suffering and hope, as they relate to the practice of pastoral care and counseling. We will introduce the concept of “operational theology,” as a means of doing theological reflection upon clinical processes. We will also spend some time reviewing history and ongoing development of pastoral counseling as a healing, reconciliation and growth ministry of the Church. We will address current trends in pastoral care and counseling today. Year One.

Pastoral Counselor and Spiritual Formation (.5 unit)
The objectives of this course is to use the methods and perspective of spiritual direction, to assist students (re)discover the sources of their own theology and spirituality, to enhance their theological framework in theory and practice, to help them experience current methods and approaches commonly used in the growing discipline of Spiritual Direction and to help them incorporate these methods in their pastoral care and counseling work. Each student will have the opportunity to develop a personal position describing her and his call and how this is expressed in specialized ministry of pastoral counseling. Year Two.

Pastoral Theological Method (.5 unit)
This course introduces students to integrative methods that connect theological and psychological perspectives in the theory and practice of pastoral counseling. The course will focus on identifying, understanding and practicing the skill of theological reflection. Methods of critical reflection and decision-making will be presented and implemented through the case studies and examination of problems and procedures in the practice of pastoral care and counseling. This course is the first stage in assisting students to explore the topic and design of their dissertation/project. Year One.

THEOLOGY OF MINISTRY

Personality Theory, Human Behavior and its Development (1.5 units)
What is the human personality? How does it develop? What are its dynamics? How does it get ill and how does it get better? In this course we will examine the major theories of personality, as background theory and practical implications for our work as pastoral care givers and counselors. Among others, we will examine the analytic theories, Jungian theory, trait theories, humanistic theories, ego psychology, social learning theories, object relations theory, cognitive learning theories, relational theories and finally existentialist/spiritual perspectives.

The Dynamics of Loss, Grief and Trauma in Pastoral Care
and Counseling. (1.0 units)
Dealing with Loss and Grief is at the heart of pastoral ministry. This course explores the psychological, relational and theological dynamics of loss, grief and trauma. We will look at loss in the larger theoretical context of attachment theory and object relations theory. In recent years, object relations and attachment theory has offered a unique perspective on the formation of personality, psychopathology and ongoing relationship problems. This body of theory is particularly useful and insightful in helping pastors understand the dynamics of loss, grief and trauma. Attention will also be given to the theological understandings of loss, hope and suffering in the context of clinical work.

Psychology of Religion (1.0 units)
What is a healthy faith? What is a toxic faith? How does faith develop over the life cycle? We will explore this issue from the vantage point of scholars within and outside of the world of religion. We will explore several definitions or paradigms for the interface of health and religion. Finally, we will explore how this perspective informs our work in pastoral care and counseling

CULTURE AND MISSION

Methods and Key Issues in Pastoral Counseling today (1.0 unit)
This didactic will focus on building an integrated theory of pastoral counseling, based on theological foundations and personality theory reviewed in earlier course work. Based on this understanding of pastoral counseling, we will note the stages of a counseling process, noting specific characteristics for beginning, middle and late phases. Attention will be paid to the essential components of effective pastoral counseling across settings. We will describe various psychotherapeutic methods, strategies, interventions and processes, an examination of defensive structures, use of experimental exercises, interpretation, transference and counter-transference issues, and finally, termination issues. We will study the use of Scripture and how to deal with moral issues in counseling. Current case material will illustrate theoretical ideas.

Pastoral Diagnosis and Assessment (.5 unit)
This course will review the major issues and approaches to the assessment and diagnosis of psychological and relational problems from a pastoral perspective. We will look at in detail the prevailing diagnostic scheme based on the DSM-IV. We will attempt to reflect on various diagnose from theological perspectives and suggest ways that the DSM-IV system could be augmented by a spiritual axis. We will look at several of the more common assessment tools used by pastoral counselors today, and give students opportunities to become thoroughly acquainted with at least one tool.

Pastoral Care and Counseling: Addictions (1.0 unit)
This course addresses current understandings of the description, etiology and treatment of addictive disorders including, but not limited to, addictions to legal and illegal substances such as alcohol and drugs, as well as addictions to various activities. Is there such a thing as an addictive personality? What is the spiritual dimension of addiction diseases and how can pastoral care givers and counselor play a critical role in helping people overcome their addiction difficulties.

Human Development and the Life Cycle (.5 unit)
Students will study the contributions of key contemporary developmental theorists, looking at the needs, developmental tasks and role of faith at each life stage. We will give particular attention to the adult life stages. We will explore the dynamics of rituals and how to effectively use rituals in therapeutic ways. We will explore the opportunities for pastoral care at various stages of the life cycle.

Pastoral Counseling with Couples and Families (1.5 unit)
This course provides a basic framework in understanding and reflecting on couples and family systems theory and practice. It provides an overview of the models of family functioning, an acquaintance with historic models of family therapy (e.g., structural, communication theory, strategic, Bowenian, etc. Attention will be given to couple dynamics and models of couple interventions and attention to family dynamics and models of family interventions. This course will equip students with the basic set of skills, methods and strategies for pastoral family work. In addition, we will look briefly at how the family systems perspective can enlighten congregational dynamics.

Cultural Issues in Pastoral Care and Counseling (.5 unit)
This course focuses on identifying cultural factors in the counseling, caring processes. It seeks to provide students with a way of understanding people within their cultural context. By cultural context, this course means to include, gender, age, class, ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, cognitive and physical characteristics, and religious orientation. By understanding the cultural factors operative in the counseling relationship, students will be better equipped to serve in multi cultural settings.

Groups and Leadership in Congregational Settings (.5 unit)
This course will introduce the subject of the full range of group work in the life of a congregation or counseling clinic. We will explore the basics of group dynamics, and assist students to understand the dynamics of group process, so that they can be more effective group leaders/facilitators. In particular how a pastoral counselor can create and use support and therapy groups to augment ministry with persons. This course provides theoretical and experiential understanding of group processes including: the value, predictable stages of development. Areas of focus will be: review a range of group methods and approaches, discussion of various leadership styles and the factors recommending each style. We will explore what constitutes effective pastoral leadership, in particular a discussion of conflict management and conflict resolution techniques as applied to congregational/group conflicts. This course will also touch on a systematic way of understanding congregational health and function, with related implications for pastoral care.

Ethics of Profession (.5 unit)
This course will address the history and philosophy of pastoral counseling with reference to particular cultural and historical factors of significance. Professional roles, functions and ways of establishing relationships with other related human service providers will be considered. Students will apply the AAPC Code of Ethics to the clinician’s experiences, with emphasis on setting appropriate therapeutic boundaries. Explores cultivating and making referrals, crisis intervention, legal issues, and issues of the students’ choice.

FRONTIER SEMINARS
As time permits, and according to the interest of students, one or more of the following electives may be included in the curriculum.

  • Chaplaincy: Contemporary Issues in Pastoral Care in institutional settings.
  • Pastoral Care and Counseling with the Sick, Dying and Grieving
  • The Dynamics of Forgiveness in Clinical Practice.
  • An Introduction to Internal Family Systems Therapy.
  • The Contemporary Treatment of Depression in theological context.
  • Mental Health/Illness in Clergy Families
  • Pastoral Care, Counseling and Spirituality with the Aging
  • Pastoral Care with Children and Adolescents
  • The Dynamics and Issues in Institutional Ministries: Military and Hospital.

Independent Study (1 unit)
From time to time, students come to this program having already completed much of this curriculum in an earlier graduate degree programs. In such cases, the student may wish to negotiate one or more independent study classes with one of the faculty, designed to provide the student with a more advanced learning experience. Such classes may be connected to one of the above classes, i.e. student functions as a teaching assistant. Such negotiations needs to occur with the Director of Training, and must be approved by APS.

D/P RESEARCH DESIGN
The purpose of the dissertation/project is to involve the student in an objective investigation into an issue or aspect of the student’s own ministry. The work needs to demonstrate relevance to the mission of the church, theological foundations, a thorough knowledge of literature and a process of critical theological reflection. The D/P involves accountability or reporting to a church body, e.g., presbytery, conference, diocese, or other faith community, and an oral presentation. In preparation of the student research work, we offer one or more mini seminars designed to assist students to identify and develop their dissertation/project topic and design, and to secure approval of their project so that work can begin at the end of the second year. In this seminar students will explore ways to design their pastoral research projects and how various approaches to methodology will facilitate their research objectives.

CLINICAL TRAINING
Regular clinical experience is an important part of the curriculum. Students will present clinical material, using audio or video players, or live in vivo skill practice sessions, and have an opportunity to learn experientially from their work through group supervision and individual supervision with a seasoned pastoral counselor at rank of Fellow or Diplomate or other licensed mental health professionals as appropriate. Students will learn in a context of a constant interplay between didactic sessions and experiential/clinical training. Normally, clinical supervision is provided on the SFTS San Anselmo campus and integrated fully into the curriculum. The cost of supervision is included in the tuition for the Extended Option of this program.

Students enrolled in the summer Intensive Option of this program will need to arrange for and pay for their own clinical supervision in their home setting, according to the guidelines and approved by the Training Director. This clinical work/supervision needs to cover two years and include, where possible, both individual and group supervision. In addition, students will receive some supervision on the SFTS San Anselmo campus during the two summers of residency.

Students may fulfill this requirement through pastoral care or pastoral counseling work. Students may fulfill this requirement by completing two additional units of Clinical Pastoral Education. (one basic unit is required to be admitted to program).

Case Presentation Project:
Each student selects one actual on-going case to develop theoretically and clinically in writing, pulling together in depth the theological understanding of the case, the psychological dynamics, and the pastoral dimensions of the case. The focus of this project is to do critical reflection and to gain insight into the strengths and growing edges of the student engaged in thinking about and doing pastoral care and pastoral counseling. This project is to be presented in writing and orally to staff, faculty and other students for discussion and critique at the end of year I and year II. The second case presentation may be used in student’s application membership in AAPC.

Academic Credit:
Students who complete the entire clinical supervision segment, including a successful completion of the Case Presentation, will be credited with 3 units of academic credit annually toward their D. Min. Students who for whatever reasons cannot complete this segment of the program or who have already earned sufficient hours of clinical supervision to apply for membership in AAPC before entering this program, will take additional classes from the above curriculum to earn those same units.

Structure of the Intensive Option (Summer Program)
The intensive option of this program requires some special structuring of academic and clinical work in order meet the requirements of this curriculum. The normal model is as follows:

Summer One:
  • Two-week resource seminar: Theories of counseling and personality, pastoral counseling today (3 units).
  • Two-week resource seminar: Loss, Trauma and Grief in Psychological and Theological Perspectives (3 units).
  • D/P seminar.  Research methods and models in Ministry, including use and validity of case studies.  
Between Summer One and Summer Two:
  • Clinical Practicum
  • Independent study: Assessment and Pastoral Diagnosis (1.5 unit).
Summer Two:
  • Two-week Resource Seminar: The Spiritual Journey: Human life cycle issues, spiritual direction and the psychology of faith through the life cycle  (3 units).
  • Two-week Resource Seminar: Contemporary Issues: Addictions and Issues of Diversity in Counseling  (3 units).
  • D/P seminar: Types of Theological Reflection and Approval of D/P topic.
Between Summer Two and Summer Three:
  • Clinical Practicum
  • Independent Study: Key Issues in Pastoral Therapy (1.5 units).
Summer Three:
  • Two-week Resource Seminar: Pastoral Care and Counseling of Couples and Families (3 units).
  • Two week Resource Seminar: Group Dynamics and Organizational Leadership in Congregational Settings (3 units).
  • D/P seminar:  Finalizing and approval of D/P Design.  
Clinical Practice/Supervision
Students will be awarded 3 units of academic credit for the successful completion of two years of clinical supervision in their home setting, with a qualified supervisor, according to the requirements of the program.

Independent Study
Students will complete two units of independent, one each year in between summers, to be arranged with the advisor.

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