Counselor-  "A person who gives advice or counseling."

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Proverbs 11:14 "Where this is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

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Pastors are often seen as counselors to their parishioners.  Many times they will come to the pastor before seeking professional counseling because of the spiritual component pastoral counseling may offer.  However, I believe that it is very important for both the pastor and parishioner to realize that pastoral counseling is distinct from professional counseling.  Pastors should know their limits in this regard. In addition, pastors should be careful about "advice-giving."  I see pastoral counseling as a "journeying alongside" others to help them discover the answers or solutions to their problems.

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At Collegedale Community, as well as in the Clinical Pastoral Education program I've had the opportunity to provide compassionate presence, active listening, life review, and the exploration of life concerns to those, in various age groups, experiencing grief, illness, marital problems, other life concerns and life-decisions.