Brief Pastoral Counseling

Abstract

Introduces the major elements of brief pastoral counseling: establishing a brief counseling orientation and an emphathic relationship; a focus on specific problems; assessment of the problem; a search for exceptions; the establishment of limited goals; development of a plan; remaining active in the counseling; assignment of homework; and building on the counselee's strengths.

Pastoral Counseling of Older Adults: Toward a Short-term Integrative Approach

“…Generally, counseling lasting from five to ten sessions is considered brief in the pastoral counseling field (Benner 2000;Childs 1990;Stone 2001).…”

“…Similarly, Stone (2001) notes that the majority of counseling is in reality brief; therefore, short-term counseling cannot be defined only by the number of sessions. In fact, he states: "Brief pastoral counseling has as much to do with the caregiver's attitude toward the helping process and the specific interventions employed" (p. 92).…”

“…The brief counseling, in part due to the small number of sessions, deters the formation of dependency in helping relationships and encourages counselees to get back to their real life, continuing the process of change begun in counseling (Benner 2000;Stone 2001). Furthermore, according to Nordhus et al (1998), setting a time limit on therapy may reinforce clients' confidence in their ability to resolve their problem, accelerating the therapeutic process.…”

“…Conveying warmth, respect, and genuine interest can consolidate the bond of the alliance (Safran and Muran 1998). Conveying respect and empathy, for Stone (2001), is expressed in brief pastoral counseling by an attitude called the 'not-knowing' position which recognizes that help-seekers are the ones who know best about their own problems and solutions (p. 93). However, this not-knowing position has to be balanced with "appropriate knowing and the claiming of faith perspectives" (Gorsuch 2001, p. 43).…”

“…The definition of a specific, concrete problem, and the discovery of exceptions to the problem, facilitates setting limited, realistic target goals, directly related to the counselee's own objective that can be achieved in a short period of time (Safran and Muran 1998;Stone 2001).…”