Strategies for Brief Pastoral Counseling

by Stone, Howard W.

• ISBN13: 9780800632991
• ISBN10: 0800632990
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-02-01
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Pub

Summary

More and more professionals in ministry realized the benefits of brief pastoral counseling-typically three sessions-for addressing the real-life dilemmas of their congregants. In this very helpful resource, eleven leaders in pastoral counseling-both established leaders and new thinkers in the field-offer a convincing rationale. Based on reserach, case studies, and the latest thinking, they lay out (1) the dynamics of the pastor- parishioner relationship, including the need for collaborative, hospitable, future-oriented, and wholistic counseling, and (2) specific strategies, including brief counseling's solution-focused method, its relation to spiritual direction, its focus on people's strengths, and time limits. The volume concludes with a call for the whole field to recognize the contextual, practical character of effective, responsible pastoral counseling.

Table of Contents

Contributors	vii
Preface	ix
Part I The Case for Brief Pastoral Counseling
The Changing Times: A Case for Brief Pastoral Counseling	3	(20)
Howard W. Stone
The Power of Valuing in Brief Pastoral Counseling	23	(7)
Jan James
Collaborative Pastoral Conversation	30	(16)
Nancy Gorsuch
Helping Parishioners Envision the Future	46	(15)
Andrew Lester
Howard W. Stone
Extending Hospitality in Brief Pastoral Counseling	61	(16)
Katherine Godby
Making Brief Pastoral Counseling Wholistic	77	(14)
Howard Clinebell
Part II Brief Pastoral Counseling Strategies
Elements of Brief Pastoral Counseling	91	(14)
Howard W. Stone
Staying Solution-Focused in Brief Pastoral Counseling	105	(17)
Charles Allen Kollar
Collaborating with the Spirit: Brief Spiritual Direction in Congregational Ministry	122	(17)
Duane R. Bidwell
Competency-Based Relationship Counseling: The Necessity of Goal Setting and Counselor Flexibility in Efficient and Effective Couples Counseling	139	(16)
Frank Thomas
Time-Limited Pastoral Counseling for Pastors	155	(11)
Brian H. Childs
Counseling for Solutions: A Model for Parish Ministry in the Third Millennium	166	(15)
James Sharp
Part III Pastoral Counseling Theory and Praxis
Theory Out of Context: The Congregational Setting of Pastoral Counseling	181	(38)
Howard W. Stone
Appendices
A. Pastoral Counseling Authors in Study	208	(3)
B. Suggested Readings for Congregational Ministers	211	(2)
C. Psychotherapy Theorists	213	(1)
D. Writers in the Classical Theological Fields	214	(1)
E. Couple and Family Systems Theorists	215	(1)
F. Pastoral Care/Counseling/Theology Theorists	216	(1)
G. Writers in Spirituality and Spiritual Direction	217	(2)
Index	219