Q: How is "pastoral counseling" different from "Christian counseling?"
A: Pastoral counseling incorporates religious values, prayer and reading from the scripture together with secular counseling teaching, science and techniques. We believe that by utilizing people's minds and souls we are better able to serve the "whole person." "Christian counseling" generally does not incorporate the scientific or secular teachings and relies more on a strictly Christ-centered approach to healing. Individuals generally feel more comfortable with one approach more than the other.

Q: What is the history of pastoral counseling nationally?
A: Pastoral counseling came into being when pastors decided to incorporate psychology and psychologists wanted to incorporate religion into counseling sessions. There are hundreds of pastoral counseling agencies throughout the United States and other countries.

Q: What is the history of pastoral counseling locally?
A: We were created in 1960 by a group of local pastors and community leaders. We currently have 10 counselors who operate out of 15 "satellite offices" in Erie and Niagara Counties. We are also accredited to train pastoral counselors. One of our most immediate and pressing goals is to diversify our staff and client base, and we hope to expand our presence in underserved areas in Buffalo.

Q: What kinds of clients do you see (demographics, religious beliefs, presenting problems)?
A: We welcome all individuals who seek professional counseling in a spiritual and faith-oriented context. Some people are very religious, others are not, but almost all want to figure out why God let something happen to them. Clients pay on a sliding scale based on their ability to pay, and we rely on community support so that we can serve people who cannot afford even our minimum payment.

Our Mission, History and Importance

Keeping families together, helping senior citizens cope with loss and aiding young people facing difficulties with school, family or social issues are just a few of the services we provide. For more than 40 years the Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center of the Niagara Frontier has provided professional counseling and therapy to thousands of people who need it, and our counselors serve the whole person including clients' religious beliefs - without imposing any theology.

Children, families and adults face more challenges than ever, and often the problems they face prevent them from becoming productive members of society. Unfortunately families and individuals are rarely able to find the support they need. A recent report issued by The National Council on Disability shows that mental health providers focus on "quick fixes" for clients, and are burdened by insurance company rules and other pressures that prevent them from taking long-term views toward mental health care.

The report includes an assertion that "mental health systems must be driven by a value system that sees recovery as achievable and desirable for every person who has experienced mental illness. Systems must commit to serving the whole person, and not merely the most obvious systems." Furthermore, a recent national survey revealed that 83% of Americans believe that their spiritual and religious values are closely tied to their mental, emotional and psychological health.

The Samaritan Center of the Niagara Frontier is the only organization that addresses these issues, and we are an important resource for people in need.

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Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center of the Niagara Frontier; 322 Old Falls Blvd.; North Tonawanda, NY 14120
Phone (716) 743-9117 or 1-800-660-5053 (Outside Erie & Niagara Counties)  Fax: (716) 743-8997- e-mail
Copyright© 2004 The Samaritan Pastoral Counseling Center, Inc.