Glossary of Terms Used in Pastoral Care, Counseling, and Education

Organizations

AAMFT      American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
AAPC         American Association of Pastoral Counselors
ACPE         Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
ACCA         American Correctional Chaplains Association
APC            Association of Professional Chaplains
CCAPS       COMISS Commission on Accreditation of Pastoral Services
CPSP          College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy
ECVAC       Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy
ICPC           International Conference of Police Chaplains
NACC          National Association of Catholic Chaplains
NAVAC       National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains
NCMAF       National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces
NIBIC          National Institute of Business and Industrial Chaplaincy
USCC          United States Catholic Conference

Terms Used in the Field of Pastoral Care in Specialized Settings

Accreditation
The process whereby a duly constituted accrediting body gives recognition to education and/or service centers which meet established standards. ACPE accredits centers in which Clinical Pastoral Education is offered; AAPC does the same for pastoral counselor training; CCAPS provides accreditation for pastoral care programs in institutions. ACPE standards are established by ACPE, the same is true for the standards of AAPC; CCAPS standards have been established by COMISS.

Certification
The process whereby a person demonstrates compliance with standards for professional competence. UMEA requires certification by the appropriate professional pastoral care organization for full endorsement. For example, persons seeking endorsement to prison chaplaincy must be certified by ACCA. AAPC certification is required for endorsement to pastoral counseling settings.

Chaplain/Pastoral Counselor
A person authorized and/or certified to provide pastoral services and/or counseling in a non-congregational, specialized setting.

CPE
Clinical Pastoral Education

Endorsement
An affirmation by a denomination or faith group that a person is or will be performing a valid ministry consistent with the faith community and has presented evidence of having the special education, experience and skills necessary to perform that ministry in a specialized setting.

REB
Religious Endorsing Body is the unit of a denomination/faith group which certifies its clergy as chaplains and pastoral counselors.

Endorsement/Certification

• is ordained or commissioned by his/her denomination or faith group to engage in ministry and has the endorsement by their faith tradition to practice ministry in a specialized setting;
• has theological training equivalent to a M.Div. or training required by the tradition to be considered theologically competent in specialized ministry;
• has been through supervised clinical training for specialized ministry;
• adheres to a professional code of ethics which includes respect for the rights and religious and spiritual integrity of individuals;
• has been examined for professional competence;
• engages in continuing professional education and/or peer review.

Clinical Pastoral Education

Accredited CPE is conducted in several program forms:

• CPE which focuses on ministry development and pastoral identity is designated Level I CPE by ACPE and “chaplain” level by NACC and USCC.
• CPE which focuses on advanced ministry development and/or preparation for ministry in specialized settings is designated Level II CPE by ACPE and “Chaplain advanced” by NACC and USCC.
• CPE which focuses on acquiring competency as a clinical pastoral educator is designated "Supervisory CPE" by ACPE, NACC and USCC.

A CPE educator is a certified CPE supervisor.

Pastoral Counseling is a specific form of pastoral care in which the counselor, from his/her theological and psychological education and insight, engages a client at a significant moment, perhaps a life crisis, and assists that client in emotional and spiritual growth.

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