Incorporating your faith into your healing process.
Mental health is essential to a healthy, thriving church. Many people silently face emotional challenges, and offering counseling support shows your church truly cares. Just as we tend to physical health, caring for mental well-being builds strength, stability, and resilience within your congregation. We provide a listening ear during moments when you may desire to discuss the challenges and pressures in your life. If your church participates in our Congregational Care Program (CCP), you may have access to sponsored, confidential counseling services at the Pastoral Institute. Our services provide you and your family an opportunity to incorporate your faith and beliefs into your mental health counseling and healing process. Check with your church administration to learn more today.
Participating Churches & Important Forms:
Click the photos below to learn more
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Counseling services may be provided by a church for individuals, couples, and children. Some churches may pay the full fee, some may require a small co-pay with the benefit, and some may be by referral only - meaning the church will refer a member to us directly. Please check with your church administration or minister to understand this benefit.
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Step 1: For referral-only churches, please fill out a request form today.
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Step 2: Please complete the Release of Information to allow for the communication of approving initial and/or additional sessions for congregants.
Schedule Today!
We are here when life's difficulties become too much to carry alone. Reach out to schedule an appointment today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Have you ever had a question and didn't know where to find the answer? If so, you've come to the right place.
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What is the Congregational Care Program?
A Congregational Care Program (CCP) is similar to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), but through a church instead of an employer. A CCP with Pastoral Institute supports pastoral care by providing confidential, clinically licensed therapists to address mental and emotional health situations for which most clergy have not been trained.
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What are the most common situations for which churches refer members to the PI?
Church members see our counselors most frequently for anxiety, depression, relationship and family issues, trauma and PTSD, stress and burnout, or life transitions that lead to complicated grief or chronic depression – bereavement, divorce, career shifts or layoffs. After working closely with you to help address life's difficulties, it's common for church staff to make a referral to the Pastoral Institute for longer-term, more specialized counseling.
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Is Pastoral Institute a Christian counseling center?
We were founded in 1974 by two pastors, a Christian psychiatrist, and a Christian philanthropist, but today we describe ourselves as “faith affirming,” meaning we provide church members the opportunity to incorporate their faith and beliefs into their mental health counseling and the healing process. Many of our clinicians are active in their churches, and we have current and former pastors, chaplains, deacons, elders, and ministry leaders on staff. We have experienced pastoral counselors on staff, and all staff are trained in spiritual competency. However, we welcome clients of any (or no) faith background.
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What does a CCP partnership cost?
Ask your church administration for information to understand what using the CCP benefit might cost you. Our plans vary from a fully covered session to sessions that require a co-pay. Each church is unique in the plan they offer, and they can guide you on how to use the benefit and how many visits would be eligible to you.
