The Next Pastoral Care Specialist Training Starts February 8th, 2022

In times of crisis, the first place many turn to is their local church or faith community. Studies show that 25% of those seeking help for mental illness first turn to a clergyperson. This is higher than the percentage of people who first go to a psychiatrist or medical doctor.* ​The ACPE Pastoral Care Specialist (PCS) Training Program is a 16 week, 48-hour live course providing the knowledge and skills pastoral caregivers in churches and faith communities need to help others effectively, ethically, and safely. Issues and topics covered include: Pastoral Theology & Our Images of Pastoral Care Ethics of Pastoral Care & Counseling Marriage & Family Issues in Systemic Perspective Listening in the Service of Healing  Motivational Interviewing Spiritual Assessment & Diagnosis Harmful Spirituality & Spiritual Struggles Grief, Loss, & Resilience Mental Health & the Role of the Faith Community Trauma-Informed Spiritual Care Understanding & Responding Effectively to Domestic Violence  Substance Abuse, Addiction, & the Role of the Faith Community  The PCS Training program is a new curriculum developed by the Psychotherapy Commission of the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) and the former American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), which consolidated with ACPE in 2019. Arizona Christian Counseling has piloted two offerings of the PCS program in 2021 and will be offering another training starting February 8th, 2022. Learn more at: https://www.arizonachristiancounseling.com/pastoral-care-specialist