Date

12-2020

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Mario Garcia

Keywords

Analysis, Correlation, Pastoral Counseling, Mental Health

Disciplines

Christianity | Religion

Abstract

This research study evaluates the outcomes of pastoral counseling on mental health within a predominantly African American congregation in the southeastern United States. The research study is intended to build a further understanding of the pastor’s role in counseling individuals with mental health conditions, given individuals seek counseling as a treatment option. To evaluate those perceptions, the researcher analyzed data collected from a survey. The outcomes from this qualitative data study suggest that pastoral counseling alone is ineffective given several factors such as individual failure to seek counseling, no suggested mental-health related issues within the sampled population, and ethnicity barriers. Furthermore, the results of this study can bridge the gap between individuals, counselors, and pastors.

Included in

Christianity Commons

COinS