What is Pastoral Counseling
Pastoral counseling is a form of therapy or counseling in which a pastoral counselor, as a representative of a religious tradition or community, uses the insights and principals of religion, theology and behavior sciences in working with individuals, couples, families, groups and institutions toward the achievement of wholeness and health.
An important ingredient which makes pastoral counseling different from other forms of counseling and psychotherapy is the conviction that life's crisis and transitions are best met by both the wisdom of religious teaching and the knowledge and skills of the human sciences such as psychiatry and psychology.
Education & Training of Pastoral Counselors
Ordinarily a pastoral counselor has completed from nine to twelve years of education beyond high school--a Bachelor's Degree from a college or university, (e.g., B.A. or B.S.), a three year professional degree from a seminary (e.g., M.Div. or B.D. ) and usually a specialized masters or doctoral degree from a graduate school or a school of theology (e.g., M.A., Th.M., PHD, D. Min,) A significant part of this advanced education is spent in some type of clinical training setting working with persons in crisis or transition (e.g., mental and general hospitals, counseling agencies). All phases of this advance teaching and learning process seeks to integrate the enduring wisdom of religious traditions with the emerging reliable insights and methodologies of the field in psychotherapy.
Although the successful completion of these degrees and educational experiences are no absolute guarantee of competency, as a consumer you have a right to such information. You ought to feel free to inquire about the education and credentials of the person to whom you may be sharing important information about yourself and others close to you.
Medical Hypnoanalysis & Neuro-Linguistic Programming
At St. John's management group along with pastoral counseling we provide hypnotherapy, medical hypnoanalysis and neuro-linguistic programming. Medical Hypnoanalysis is a specialized method of psychoanalysis and psychotherapy. It uses hypnosis to help the patient find personalized solutions for the presenting problem. This therapy is dynamic, short term, and directed. It is holistic in that it recognizes the interplay of mind, body, and spirit to promote healing. NLP is the discipline whose domain is the structure of subjective experience. "NEURO" Nervous system through which experience is received and processed via the 5 senses. "LINGUISTIC" Language and non-verbal communication systems through which neural representations are coded, ordered and given meaning. "PROGRAMMING" Ability to organize our communication and neurological systems to achieve specific desired outcomes.
Medical Hypnoanalysis emphasizes causes rather than symptoms and explanations rather than descriptions to relieve psychological suffering. Hypnosis is an instrument of the preconscious mind. In medical Hypnoanalysis, hypnosis is coupled with well-grounded knowledge of the development of psychopathology to identify, process and diminish the negative impact of specific causal events in the clients personal history. Depression, phobias, obsessions, psychosomatic disorders, self-destructive and anti-social behaviors can be alleviated. Emphasis is placed on a dual diagnosis (underlying and waking modes) against the backdrop of a holistic ordering of life's priorities.
Can Hypnosis or Hypnoanalysis be used for Pain Management?
Many people have used hypnosis successfully to manage chronic pain. Pain is a signal from the nervous system to the brain. When in pain muscles tense, not consciously, but as a coping mechanism against pain. This tension magnifies the pain. The secret of pain relief is total relaxation of every muscle.
Relaxation of the body also raises the pain threshold. The patient learns to relax to a point of being almost pain free, then gradually lengthens the time spent in this mode. A second aspect of using hypnosis to manage pain is in the relaxation of the mind. This reduces the anticipation of the pain. A third aspect of pain relief is that putting one's attention on pain makes it worse. The opposite is also true. The mind can be distracted away from pain. Hypnosis can also help the anxiety and depression that often accompany chronic pain, making it less likely to interfere with life. Many dentist now use hypnosis to reduce fear and the need for anesthesia. However, in some situations, pain is a warning that something is wrong. This kind of pain has to be first examined medically. Even then, hypnotic relaxation can be as a temporary coping method until the underlying causes of pain are assessed and diagnosed.
Relationships with Other Professionals
At times the pastoral counselor may be consulted by other professionals (for instance, physicians, psychologists, pastors, attorneys) concerning your progress, and your pastoral counselor may consult these professionals as well, with of course your consent. It is not unusual, for example, for a pastoral counselor to consult with a psychiatrist if medication of some kind seems appropriate. Such consultations are only initiated with your full consent and after a thorough discussion of the reasons for this form of additional help
Confidentiality
Counselors shall take into consideration any state, federal or local laws that are brought to their attention, but the Holy Scriptures (the Bible) shall be the supreme governing authority in every aspect of the conciliation process which includes privileged communication and confidentially.
St. John's Management Group, PI 19688, Is a Business and Industrial Chaplaincy. We provide pastoral counseling, medical hypnoanalysis and neuro-linguistic programming. In addition we have the ability to settle conflicts through Professional Conciliation Services, were we provide counseling, coaching, negotiation, mediation and binding arbitration services.