Overview of the Pastoral Counseling Program

We offer three training tracks at the Care and Counseling Centers of Georgia for pastors, lay persons, and for students seeking advanced degrees in pastoral counseling.

Track I Basic Practicum

The Basic Practicum Track is a two year indepth program of training in pastoral counseling using primarily an object relations therapy approach. The program is both clinical and didactic, meaning that persons see clients at the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia under supervision and are also instructed in object relations and other related therapeutic approaches. The first year of training emphasizes therapy with individuals, and the second year provides some experience in working with couples families and groups.

The total program is designed to help students integrate clinical practice with counseling theory, theology, and their personal self-understanding. To facilitate this process of integration, students are required to be in their own personal therapy while in the program.

Eligibility

• Students who are accepted into the Doctor of Theology program in Pastoral Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary, the Interdenominational Theological Center , or Candler School of Theology at Emory University are automatically accepted into this track.


• Students enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry programs in Pastoral Counseling at Columbia Theological Seminary or the Interdenominational Theological Center should make a separate application to the Basic Practicum track.


• Persons who have completed their academic training, whether that be in theology, psychology, marriage and family, or social work will also be considered for this training track through the application process with Care and Counseling Center of Georgia.

Track II Advanced Practicum

An Advanced Practicum Track is available for those persons who have completed their Basic Practicum training or are deemed to be functioning at an advanced level of therapeutic skill. This track provides ongoing individual and group supervision while persons are in residency at the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia.

Eligibility

• Person who have completed the basic two year practicum at Care and Counseling Center and wish to continue seeing clients at the Center under supervision.


• Person who wish to see clients as residents at the center in order to complete the requirements for member and/or fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) and/or state licensure.


• Counselors and therapists who wish to continue in supervision with person trained in the pastoral tradition and have a practice elsewhere.

Track III Training for Pastors and Lay Persons

Care and Counseling Center offer a variety of training program for pastors including training for certification as a Pastoral Specialist with AAPC, clergy consultation groups, individual consultation and supervision on pastoral care and counseling issues, and continuing education events in the area of counseling and pastoral care. We also offer training workshops for lay persons who seek to be or are already engaged in pastoral care ministries in their churches or communities and workshops in congregations and community agencies on various marriage and family, mental health and pastoral care issues. Contact us for current offerings.