Becoming a Catholic counselor/therapist- educational program advice?

[dilleachta]

Hello, I am in my first semester of an online graduate program through Seton Hall University working towards my M.A./Ed.S in Counseling. Although it’s a Catholic university, this program is presented from a secular/non-religious perspective. I am curious if anyone has any advice on how to approach a secular educational/training program as a Catholic. My goal after graduation and getting licensed is to offer authentically Catholic counseling/therapy.

So far the textbooks for the courses in this program are absent of any spiritual/theological dimensions and at times definitely contain some views that are contrary to the Catholic faith. I wasn’t surprised about this element of spiritual lacking since it is a secular based program; although, I’m a little concerned about the possibility of developing a skewed perspective of how to best approach the counseling/therapy profession or not being able to distinguish finer details of possible contradictions to our faith since I am completely new to this field.

I’m just wondering if there is anything specific that might help me avoid adopting a secular approach to counseling while I’m in this program…or whether it might be advisable to change schools and seek a program of study that is more firmly aligned with Church teaching and Christian philosophy…any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

 

[1ke]

I’d suggest contacting a Catholic professional association in the field of counseling and therapy.

catholicpsychotherapy.org

 

[Anthony_Perlas]

Hello, I am in my first semester of an online graduate program through Seton Hall University working towards my M.A./Ed.S in Counseling. Although it’s a Catholic university, this program is presented from a secular/non-religious perspective. I am curious if anyone has any advice on how to approach a secular educational/training program as a Catholic. My goal after graduation and getting licensed is to offer authentically Catholic counseling/therapy.

So far the textbooks for the courses in this program are absent of any spiritual/theological dimensions and at times definitely contain some views that are contrary to the Catholic faith. I wasn’t surprised about this element of spiritual lacking since it is a secular based program; although, I’m a little concerned about the possibility of developing a skewed perspective of how to best approach the counseling/therapy profession or not being able to distinguish finer details of possible contradictions to our faith since I am completely new to this field.

I’m just wondering if there is anything specific that might help me avoid adopting a secular approach to counseling while I’m in this program…or whether it might be advisable to change schools and seek a program of study that is more firmly aligned with Church teaching and Christian philosophy…any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

Firstly, do all things so that God may be glorified. If you’re called by the Holy Ghost to do this, always listen to the Holy Ghost. If you’re serious about entering into the secular field, go unto the secular University that specializes in that program. I would watch the movie, the Principle. We as Catholics need to regain science.

www.theprinciplemovie.com/

[11] But at last come also the other virgins, saying: Lord, Lord, open to us. [12] But he answering said: Amen I say to you, I know you not. [13] Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour. [14] For even as a man going into a far country, called his servants, and delivered to them his goods; [15] And to one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to every one according to his proper ability: and immediately he took his journey.

[16] And he that had received the five talents, went his way, and traded with the same, and gained other five. [17] And in like manner he that had received the two, gained other two. [18] But he that had received the one, going his way digged into the earth, and hid his lord’ s money. [19] But after a long time the lord of those servants came, and reckoned with them. [20] And he that had received the five talents coming, brought other five talents, saying: Lord, thou didst deliver to me five talents, behold I have gained other five over and above.

[21] His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant, because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [22] And he also that had received the two talents came and said: Lord, thou deliveredst two talents to me: behold I have gained other two. [23] His lord said to him: Well done, good and faithful servant: because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. [24] But he that had received the one talent, came and said: Lord, I know that thou art a hard man; thou reapest where thou hast not sown, and gatherest where thou hast not strewed. [25] And being afraid I went and hid thy talent in the earth: behold here thou hast that which is thine.

[26] And his lord answering, said to him: Wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sow not, and gather where I have not strewed: [27] Thou oughtest therefore to have committed my money to the bankers, and at my coming I should have received my own with usury. [28] Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him that hath ten talents. [29] For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, that also which he seemeth to have shall be taken away. [30] And the unprofitable servant cast ye out into the exterior darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

[31] And when the Son of man shall come in his majesty, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit upon the seat of his majesty. [32] And all nations shall be gathered together before him, and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats: [33] And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. [34] Then shall the king say to them that shall be on his right hand: Come, ye blessed of my Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry, and you gave me to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me to drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in:

 

[dilleachta]

I’d suggest contacting a Catholic professional association in the field of counseling and therapy.

catholicpsychotherapy.org

I actually just joined the Catholic Psychotherapy Association! I am going to post my question there as well; I was curious if anyone on CAF might have some insight or experience in this area.

 

[Herculees]

Hello, I am in my first semester of an online graduate program through Seton Hall University working towards my M.A./Ed.S in Counseling. Although it’s a Catholic university, this program is presented from a secular/non-religious perspective. I am curious if anyone has any advice on how to approach a secular educational/training program as a Catholic. My goal after graduation and getting licensed is to offer authentically Catholic counseling/therapy.

So far the textbooks for the courses in this program are absent of any spiritual/theological dimensions and at times definitely contain some views that are contrary to the Catholic faith. I wasn’t surprised about this element of spiritual lacking since it is a secular based program; although, I’m a little concerned about the possibility of developing a skewed perspective of how to best approach the counseling/therapy profession or not being able to distinguish finer details of possible contradictions to our faith since I am completely new to this field.

I’m just wondering if there is anything specific that might help me avoid adopting a secular approach to counseling while I’m in this program…or whether it might be advisable to change schools and seek a program of study that is more firmly aligned with Church teaching and Christian philosophy…any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

I am VERY surprised that they would be teaching from a secular perspective at a Catholic University. I definitely would switch to a school that teaches authentically Catholic since your goal is to provide authentically Catholic counseling/therapy.

 

[pensmama87]

I am VERY surprised that they would be teaching from a secular perspective at a Catholic University. I definitely would switch to a school that teaches authentically Catholic since your goal is to provide authentically Catholic counseling/therapy.

She’s referring to the texts. It may very well be that the overall content is good, but there are a few blind spots due to the biases of the authors of the curriculum.

OP, I think you are to be commended for what you are doing. Well-educated Catholic counselors are really needed.

I am not a therapist but one thing I have often learned in therapy is take what is useful and disregard the rest. If someone says, “use pornography to improve marital relations,” you know that part is bunk even if the rest is not.