PACO 507 Theology and Spirituality in Counseling

Theology and spirituality provide a vital foundation for addressing the emotional, relational, and spiritual challenges encountered in pastoral counseling. Pastoral counselors must therefore understand how to integrate key theological concepts and spiritual formation processes into their counseling practices.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (4)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each discussion thread must be between 300 – 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the discussion thread, the student is required to reply to at least 2 other classmates’ discussions. Each reply must be between 200 – 300 words. (CLO A, B)

Using the reading material and the presentation for this module along with relevant scriptural texts, the student will develop a visual presentation in response to “What is spiritual formation and why is it important to me as a pastoral counselor?”. The presentation must demonstrate what the student believes about spiritual formation and pastoral counseling ministry. The presentation must include 15-20 slides (including the title and reference slides), notes/comments within the notes section of each slide, and a reference slide listing all used sources in current APA format. Slides should be visually appealing, well-organized, and should enhance overall understanding. The student may use PowerPoint, Canva, or Prezi to complete this presentation. (CLO C)

The Models of Counseling Chart Comparison Assignment will consist of 2 parts. The assignment should follow current APA format and should contain a separate reference page listing all references used. The completed assignment will be uploaded to Canvas as 1 completed Word document.

Part 1 – Using all of the resources for this week, the student will create a chart explaining 4 of the 5 particular counseling approaches. For each model, the student will address the following 8 areas: primary goals of counseling, strengths of the model, limitations of the model, integration of secular psychology, biblical integration, how problems develop according to the model, the model’s formula for change, and the counselor’s role and function. Each section must have 3-4 sentences with a citation to support the work in every section. The student will utilize the provided Part 1: Models of Counseling Chart Comparison Template to complete this part of the assignment.

Part 2 – The student will select 1 of these approaches to Christian counseling and write a brief (300-400 word) conclusion regarding how this model can be used in pastoral counseling. This should include the student’s primary goal as a pastoral counselor, how they will integrate the Bible and/or psychology, the student’s perspective on how problems develop and a formula for change, and the student’s understanding of the counselor’s role, responsibility, and guiding posture within the counseling relationship. The student will utilize the provided Part 2: Models of Counseling Chart Comparison Template to complete this part of the assignment. (CLO A)

The Podcast Project Assignment will be submitted in 3 parts:

Podcast Project: Topic Selection Assignment

For the Podcast Project: Topic Selection Assignment, the student will select a topic from 1 of the 8 modules in the course and will provide a 1-paragraph rationale of 150-200 words for their selection. The assignment should follow current APA format. (CLO A)

Podcast Project: Research Development Assignment

This assignment will provide expanded treatment of the student’s selected podcast topic. The proposal is a road map that helps the student define their starting point, directs the development of their research, enables the student to identify the implications for pastoral counseling, and finally how to make application of this topic. The student will develop 8 questions to be answered by their podcast guest. These questions should be informed by course content and frame the podcast topic. Each question will contain a 50-100 word summary overview. The student will also identify at least 8 resources that will be utilized for research into their topic. Acceptable resources include books, journal articles, websites, podcasts, lectures, or other reliable sources. The Bible should be used but will not count for the 8 resource requirement. Sources used should be listed in a reference page following current APA format. (CLO B)

Podcast Project: Final Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to allow the student to dig deeper into a particular topic and expand their knowledge and ability to articulate it to others. The proposed podcast episode assignment must follow the format of the provided template. The final assignment must include the selected topic and rationale, the 8 questions and content from the Podcast Project: Research Development Assignment, a proposed sketch of the podcast episode, and the reference list. The assignment must be 8-10 pages, including the title and reference page, and should include at least 2 scholarly/biblical sources cited per question. The assignment should follow current APA format. (CLO B)