Hi everyone! I joined today and have some questions. I would very much like to be a spiritual counselor, but I'm having trouble finding a reputable program. I'd heard good things about the American Institute for Health Care Practicioners, but they turned out to be connected to Breyer University. Does anyone have any advice? Or can you point me somewhere on the board where this might've been answered already? Thanks in advance.
Personally I would advise you to go and get a real license that permits you to do counseling and diagnosing and you can bring in spirituality into it. I was a pastoral counselor for over 25 years before going to get my academics and credentials in the Mental Health field. I have more influence and more legitimacy now than before with no license but only an ordination as minister. Depending on the kind of spirituality you incline towards, there might be schools that give you both the perspective of your faith and also the standard academic preparation for official licensure. Just my two cents.
Liberty U has a Counseling program that may lead to licensure in your state and they have an emphasis in Christian counseling. Prescott College has something similar. I think it's http://www.liberty.edu and prescott.edu.
