AML 303: Advance Counseling and Coaching

Subtitle: A Deep Dive into Pastoral Counseling

Course Description

This capstone course focuses on the practical application and strategic implementation of pastoral counseling within a ministry context. Students will take the five-phase model introduced in BML 104 and learn to apply it with wisdom and discernment to complex, real-world case studies. The curriculum emphasizes the development of ministry leadership skills, including how to train lay leaders, establish a professional referral network, and navigate difficult ethical situations. The final chapter focuses on the crucial pastoral art of responsibly concluding a formal care relationship and shepherding individuals into their next season of growth.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Apply the five-phase pastoral counseling model to complex and multifaceted case studies.
2. Develop a framework for training and supervising lay counselors within a local church.
3. Create a policy for ethical decision-making and legal risk management in a pastoral care context.
4. Design a comprehensive care ministry plan for a local church, including a network of professional referrals.
5. Develop and apply a biblically-grounded process for responsibly disengaging from a formal counseling relationship and transitioning individuals to their next steps of growth.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: Pastoral Counseling & Complex Issues: Part 1 (Personal)

• Lesson 1: Ministering to those with a History of Trauma and Abuse
• Lesson 2: Pastoral Care for Individuals with Severe and Persistent Mental Illness
• Lesson 3: A Grace-Based Approach to Deep-Rooted Addictions
• Lesson 4: Navigating Crisis: Suicide Intervention and Postvention
• Lesson 5: The Pastor’s Role in Cases of Domestic Violence

Chapter 2: Pastoral Counseling & Complex Issues: Part 2 (Relational)

• Lesson 1: High-Conflict Marriage Counseling: De-escalation and Mediation
• Lesson 2: Counseling in Cases of Infidelity and Betrayal
• Lesson 3: Ministering to Blended Families and Complex Family Systems
• Lesson 4: Navigating Church Discipline and Restoration
• Lesson 5: Counseling for Family Estrangement and Relational Breakdown

Chapter 3: The Pastor as Counselor: Ethical, Legal, and Personal Realities

• Lesson 1: Navigating Dual Relationships in a Ministry Context
• Lesson 2: Confidentiality, Clergy Privilege, and Mandated Reporting
• Lesson 3: Developing a Robust Referral Network and Professional Collaboration
• Lesson 4: Avoiding Burnout: The Personal and Spiritual Health of the Counselor
• Lesson 5: Legal Liability and Risk Management for the Church Care Ministry

Chapter 4: Building a Sustainable Culture of Care

• Lesson 1: Developing a Philosophy of Ministry for Soul Care
• Lesson 2: Recruiting and Vetting Lay Counselors and Care Ministers
• Lesson 3: Creating a Training Program for Lay Counselors
• Lesson 4: A Framework for Supervising and Supporting Lay Leaders
• Lesson 5: Integrating the Care Ministry into the Overall Discipleship Strategy of the Church

Chapter 5: Shepherding Through Transitions: The Art of the Handoff

• Lesson 1: From Counselor to Shepherd: Redefining the Pastoral Relationship Post-Care
• Lesson 2: The Disengagement Conversation: A Grace-Filled Script for Ending Formal Sessions
• Lesson 3: The Three-Way Introduction: Facilitating a Warm and Dignifying Handoff to a Professional
• Lesson 4: The Next Chapter: Mentoring the Individual into a New Season of Growth and Service
• Lesson 5: Case Studies in Relational Transitions: Navigating Successes and Failures

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on the Final Course Test.