Spring 2006/Pasadena
CN520
Pontón
CN520: CONSEJERÍA PASTORAL [Pastoral Counseling]. Marcel O.
Pontón.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide students with a conceptual and
practical overview of mental illness and mental disorders within a pastoral
framework. The minister will be able to identify and distinguish between
categories of mental disorders so he/she can properly refer the person for
specialized care. Issues of crises management, family problems, and
developmental changes affecting the families of the congregation are also
covered. Practical guidelines and principles of pastoral counseling are offered
within a culturally sensitive and meaningful paradigm for the Hispanic
church.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Students will become familiar with various types of mental disorders.
- Students will learn four different types of intervention strategies when
dealing with mental disorders.
- Students will develop listening skills.
- Students will learn to identify their own limitations when it comes to
pastoral counseling and will identify resources within the community with whom
they can work together.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Awareness and identification of mental illness within
the context of the church is critical in terms of an adequate pastoral
intervention in moments of conflict/crisis. At the end of the course the
minister will be able to utilize specific strategies and resources to increase
his/her effectiveness in counseling situations.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for three-and-a-half-hour
sessions, using the following format: two hours of formal lectures; one hour
dealing with real life situations faced by students in their church settings,
including case presentations, case discussions, and role playing in class.
Invited guests will present on topics of their expertise and conduct laboratory
sessions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Anderson, R. Christians who Counsel. Pasadena, CA: Fuller
Seminary Press, 1990.
- Beattie, M. Libérate de la codependencia. Madrid: Sirio, 2003
[ISBN: 8478082336].
- Friedman, E. Generación a generación. Buenos Aires:
Eerdmans, 1996.
- Landberg, Mandt D. On the Threshold of Hope: Opening the Door to Hope
and Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse. (AACC Counseling Library.)
Tyndale House, 1999.
- Maldonado, J. Crisis, perdidas y consolación en la familia.
Grand Rapids, MI: Libros Desafío, 2002.
- Pan American Health Organization. Atención comunitaria a personas
con trastornos psicóticos. Maryland: PAH0 Publications, 2005 [ISBN
9275316015].
- Polischuk, P. El consejo terapéutico: Manual para pastores y
consejeros. Barcelona: CLIE, 1994 [ISBN 8476457286].
- Roukema, R. W. Counseling the Soul in Distress: What every pastoral
counselor should know about emotional and mental illness. New York: Haworth
Pastoral Press, 2003.
- Tan, S. Y., and J. Ortberg. Understanding Depression: A Short-Term
Structured Model. Baker, 1995.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Each student will submit 1 reading report each week (40%).
- Each student will present 2 interviews in class (30%).
- Each student will develop a resource book on community services that
addresses each of the conflict issues identified in class (30%).
PREREQUISITES: Spanish.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Pastoral Counseling
(MIN 5).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.