American Association of Pastoral Counselors

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PASTORAL COUNSELORS

MEMBERSHIP MANUAL

August 31, 2015

9504A Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA 22031-2303

Phone: (703) 385-6967

FAX: (703) 352-7725

www.aapc.org

E-mail:

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION TO AAPC MEMBERSHIP and FORMATION 1

MEMBER APPLICATION 3

PASTORAL CARE SPECIALIST 5

STUDENT MEMBER 11

REGIONS 15

APPENDIX A 16

Standards For Pastoral Care Specialist Training Programs 16

APPENDIX B 18

Record Keeping 18

APPENDIX C 19

Frequently Asked Questions 19

APPENDIX D 20

AAPC Code Of Ethics 20

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INTRODUCTION TO AAPC MEMBERSHIP and FORMATION

Historically AAPC members, as ordained faith leaders have had significant theological training in seminaries—most with at least Master’s of Divinity degrees. Additionally, in many instances members also were educated, trained, and licensed as mental health professionals and pastoral counselors. Over the years AAPC has attracted other professionals within the behavioral health and caring professions who are interested in membership. They join AAPC because they share a deep and abiding interest in theological/spiritual reflections and wish to integrate this resource as an element of their perspective into professional practice. Membership in AAPC honors religious, faith and spiritual convictions without demanding they be of one kind of orientation.

Regardless of their formal level of theological training, experience, credentials or educational background members find themselves drawn into the spiritual nature of psychotherapy or care-giving processes. Their experience as caregivers, counselors, faith leaders and therapists is informed by the deeper processes that spirituality induces and theological thinking interprets. Members are engaged in a life-long formational process that expands a professional’s articulation of a more “soulful language” with spiritual interventions to augment the medical and psychotherapeutic interventions.

AAPC stands for the rich dialogue on the integration of theology, spirituality and psychotherapy in clinical practice. Such conversations provide an organic, formational process. Conferences and committee work are filled with ideas and common interests, theoretical conversations, and practical applications that help members grow and develop.

Pastoral counseling’s uniqueness is not that it is a different form of psychotherapy and professional practice, but the integration of spirituality and theology and one’s ability to clearly articulate it in helpful ways. This is central in the formation of an AAPC member. The synthesis of theology, spirituality, psychotherapy, personhood, and professionalism is primarily a mentoring process beyond one’s education and training. It utilizes advanced educational and training experiences, ongoing personal growth and theological/spiritual education, reflection and clinical/practice integration.

Due to significant decrease in requests for certification and liability issues AAPC will discontinue the Certification process on June 30, 2016. For new candidates, onemust have submitted an application by August 31, 2015 and must complete all requirements for Certification by June 30, 2016. No new applications for certifications will be accepted. Going forward, all certifiedmembers will maintain one’s level of certification that was achieved by or before June 30, 2016.

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MEMBER

a) Membership in AAPC is open to all who support AAPC’s mission to bring healing, hope, and wholeness to individuals, families, and communities.

b) The primary benefit of membership is to be a formal participant in the dialogue on the integration of spirituality and one’s professional practice.

c) Members abide by all professional standards applicable to one’s professional practice and license and pay annual dues.

d) Members are:

1. encouraged to attend Association and Regional meetings,

2. eligible to vote in Association and Regional business,

3. eligible to hold leadership positions, other than on certification or accreditation committees

4. required to pay annual Association and Regional dues

e) Application for membership may be submitted at any time and is completed upon receipt of annual dues and notification by the AAPC office.

f) APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS - Association office staff in Fairfax, Virginia, will process, review and approve applications for Member.

g) Application for Membership includes:

1. a completed membership application and fee

2. payment of annual dues

Non-refundable application fee: $40.00

Annual Association dues: $175.00 (Fiscal year runs from July 1st to June 30th).

Dues will be billed once you become a member.

Each of AAPC’s ten regions will also assess dues ranging from $25.00 to $60.00

ASSOCIATION OFFICE:

· Send all application materials to:

American Association of Pastoral Counselors

9504A Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA 22031-2303

703-385-6967

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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PASTORAL COUNSELORS

MEMBER APPLICATION

(Please PRINT/TYPE all information clearly)

The following information will assist us in serving you. Thank you for your application.

Date: Member No.:

(If applicable)

I. PERSONAL

Name

(Last) (First) (Middle)

Official Mailing Address:

(City) (State) (Zip - 9 digits)

Work: Home: Cell:

Fax No: E-mail Address: ______

Date of Birth: Gender: Religious Affiliation:

Race: (For Demographics)

African American______Asian______Caucasian _____ Hispanic______Other______

Highest degree achieved: Licenses held (if applicable):

II. CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION

A. Employer:

Address:

Position:

B. AAPC Participation:

What benefit(s) personally, professionally, do you wish to gain as a member? __

______

What skills, interests, etc. do you bring as a member?

How do you wish to be involved in AAPC? ______

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Page 2, Application for Member (AAPC) Continued

Applicant’s Name: Date:

Have you ever been under disciplinary action by any professional organization or licensing board, or have you ever had a felony conviction? YES NO If yes, please attach a brief description of the issue and the action taken.

III. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

I understand the responsibilities of membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (“AAPC”), including my obligation to abide by all professional standards applicable to my professional practice. I further understand that membership in AAPC does not confer any professional standing, licensure, certification, accreditation, endorsement, or authority to practice pastoral counseling or provide any other professional service. I agree that I will not make any representation that my AAPC membership constitutes an endorsement or qualifies me to provide pastoral counseling or any other kind of professional service.

I also understand that personnel of the Association will review and act upon this application, and I agree to hold such personnel, the Association, and its officers and agents harmless with respect to action they may take in connection with such review.

I also understand that the processing fee is nonrefundable.

Date Signature

For Credit Card Payment: MasterCard Visa Payment: $__$40.00__

American Express Discover

------

Credit Card Number Exp. Date

Print Name as it appears on Credit Card

Address Where ______

Credit Card Bill

Is Received: ______

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PASTORAL CARE SPECIALIST

I. PASTORAL CARE SPECIALIST

Pastoral Care Specialist (PCS) is a category of membership for those who have completed training and supervision for pastoral care in congregations and institutions. The Pastoral Care Specialist category is designed for pastors, students and lay pastoral care givers. PCS training seeks to strengthen professional/personal identity, spirituality and pastoral care practice. It integrates the resources of one’s faith tradition with current theoretical understandings and practical skills. PCS training components include didactic seminars, clinical consultation and peer support. To maximize personal growth and learning opportunities, individual therapy is strongly encouraged. (PCS is not a clinical category of membership, but can fulfill the pastoral care practicum requirement for the Certified Pastoral Counselor.)

The Pastoral Care Specialist receives guidance regarding the limits of supportive pastoral care, including the criteria for referral to qualified professionals. Pastoral Care Specialists are not qualified for long-term counseling or pastoral psychotherapy. PCS is not a clinical category of membership, but can fulfill the pastoral care practicum requirement (see page 19) for the Certified Pastoral Counselor.

Pastoral Care Specialists participate in follow-up consultation and growth experiences to enhance their pastoral care ministries. Consultation is a review, at least quarterly, of professional work along with a review of personal growth and development. Consultation is not the equivalent of supervision. It is a resource in planning for work toward certification.

II. Standards

To qualify as a Pastoral Care specialist an applicant must meet the following standards:

A. Relationship with a community of faith

· Submit a letter from an official of the applicant’s local religious community stating the applicant has an active relationship.

B. A recognized ministry of pastoral care as evidenced by participation in one of the following:

o an Association approved PCS training program

o enrollment in a relevant academic program

o participation in a denominationally approved program in pastoral care

o the provision of pastoral care in a local congregation or institution.

· Submit a letter from the authorizing body verifying your participation.

C. Completion of at least 50 contact hours of training and supervision from an AAPC approved Pastoral Care Specialist training program. These programs are listed on the AAPC website.

· Submit a letter from the administrator of the program, documenting completion of the program, or a copy of your certificate of completion.

D. Approved training programs will include a minimum of thirty (30) contact hours of small group, clinically-based consultation and twenty (20) contact hours of academic/didactic course work, comprising a minimum of fifty (50) contact hours of training.

E. Clinical consultation will be conducted within a group atmosphere of acceptance and support. Participants will use experiential techniques such as verbatims, tapes and role plays of pastoral care experiences to foster personal and professional integration. Group consultation will be characterized by confidentiality and include attention to: prayer and sharing of one’s faith journey; multicultural context; processing feelings and reactions; personal and professional concerns; and feedback from peers.

F. The curriculum will include (1) pastoral care theology and principles, (2) crisis intervention, (3) substance abuse, (4) grief and loss, e.g. divorce recovery and traumatic stress, (5) supportive counseling methods for individuals, marriages and families, (6) diagnosis and (7) referral.

G. Web conferencing or other information technology employed in distance learning will utilize encryption or other appropriate safeguards to ensure confidentiality.

H. The PCS candidate shall submit to the Association office a letter outlining the course or program, the plan or method for continuing consultation, and a certificate bearing the signature of the certified leader, or representative of the approved training program.

1. APPLICATION REVIEW PROCESS

The Association Office Staff in Fairfax, Virginia, will review and process your application for Pastoral Care Specialist.

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AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PASTORAL COUNSELORS

PASTORAL CARE SPECIALIST APPLICATION

(Please PRINT/TYPE all information clearly)

Date AAPC Member Number .

(If applicable)

I. PERSONAL

Name

(Last) (First) (Middle)

Official Mailing Address:

(City) (State) (Zip - 9 digits)

Phone Numbers: indicate whether office (o) or home (h):

Primary Secondary

Fax No: E-mail Address:

Date of Birth Gender Religious Endorsing Body

Race: (For Demographics)

Caucasian _____ African American______Asian______Hispanic______Other______

Highest degree achieved Licenses held (if applicable)

Have you ever been under disciplinary action by any professional organization or licensing board, or have you ever had a felony conviction? YES NO If yes, please provide a brief description of the issue and the action taken.

II. CURRENT PROFESSIONAL POSITION AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Employer

Address:

______

Position/Title: How long?

To whom are you responsible?

Description of your work:

B. Letter of Recommendation.

Submit a letter of recommendation from an official of your local faith group.

III. SMALL GROUP AND INDIVIDUAL COUNSULTATION EXPERIENCE

A. Submit a letter or certificate from an AAPC approved Pastoral Care Specialist training program training program indicating that you have completed fifty (50) hours of small group consultation dealing with such topics as brief term, supportive counseling methods, crisis intervention, grief and loss, divorce recovery, pastoral diagnosis, referral, and the application of pastoral care principles in the broader functions of ministry. Approved programs are listed on the AAPC website, www.aapc.org.

B. Topics focus upon the theoretical foundations and practical aspects of pastoral care and supportive counseling. Special attention will be given to supportive techniques for use in short-term, grief, marital, divorce and crisis intervention counseling and to issues and problem areas cited by the participants. Clinical consultation will be conducted within a group atmosphere of acceptance and support where participants will share verbatims of brief pastoral care and counseling experiences in order to foster personal and professional integration and skill development as a pastoral care specialist. Peer support group meetings provide a confidential setting in which personal growth is encouraged through:

a. Processing of feelings and reactions

b. Exploration of personal and professional issues

c. Feedback from peers

d. Prayer and sharing of one’s faith journey.

C. Individual consultation of up to twenty (20) hours may be substituted for twenty (20) hours of group supervision.

Name of Consultant:

AAPC Certification during consultation: Diplomate Fellow

IV. CURRENT ONGOING CONSULTATION:

On-going consultation is recommended, at least quarterly.

Name of Consultant:

AAPC Certification: Diplomate Fellow

If non-AAPC, Profession:

(Other professionals may provide consultation if affiliated with a pastoral counseling center

Frequency of Consultations (at least quarterly):

V. AAPC LEADERSHIP

Considering the mission of AAPC and the reality that ours is a volunteer community,

o How are you hoping the organization will help facilitate your growth?

o How would you like to see yourself involved?

o What do you feel you would like to bring to the community?

VI. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE

I understand the responsibilities and obligations of membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and agree to abide by its Code of Ethics, and to pay dues and submit reports as required to remain in good standing.

I also understand that the processing fee is nonrefundable.

Date Signature

ATTENTION: HAVE YOU . . . .

1. CHECKED THIS APPLICATION TO INSURE ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION HAS BEEN INCLUDED?

2. PREPARED ONE SET (collated, no staples) OF THE APPLICATION AND ALL DOCUMENTATION? (Made a second copy to keep for your records.)

VI. STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE