Are priests tranined to help people?

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Are priests trained in psychology? How are they trained to help people with their personal issues? Are they formally trained in psychology in the seminary?
 
No. They probably study Psychology as part of their college classes, but unless they deliberately pursue Psychology, it won’t be more than an introduction. Fr. Benedict Groeschel is a PhD. level clinical psychologist. Priests are trained to counsel people from a spiritual basis, not the same as psychological counseling.

Peace,
Linda (licensed therapist 😃 )
 
All the priests I have ever met are trained in therapy of some sort… whether family, addiction, or whatever. They don’t have a PHd in it or anything but they are pretty good to talk to.
 
My brother is a diocesan priest and he has had extensive training in counseling. After theology, it is the second most important part of their preparation for the priesthood.
 
I have a priest friend who has his undergraduate degree in psychology. He has been very helpful with a problem or two. But he says that most priests don’t receive much training in psychology. Maybe it varies from seminary to seminary?
 
I think a lot of their “training” actually comes with time and experience in dealing with certain situations with parishioners, not really formal training as such.
 
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