The purpose of this paper is to examine the literature on pastoral counseling with an emphasis on those studies that have discussed and/or utilized pastoral counseling in the treatment of crack-cocaine addiction. To this end, the review begins with a general examination of the literature on pastoral counseling. This general examination is followed by a review of publications on the several different treatment strategies used by pastoral counselors.
With the pastoral counseling and treatment strategies material providing context, the review then presents an exploration of articles relevant to the use of pastoral counseling for the person addicted to crack cocaine. It should be noted that since the pastoral counseling discussed in this review is Christian counseling (Full-Gospel, Bible-based, Jesus-oriented), the two terms are used synonomously in parts of the review.
Adams (1970) defines pastoral counseling as the delivery of Christian psychological services by a church minister. Likening the pastor to The Good Shepherd who cares for his weary and wandering flock, Adams notes that the metaphor:
. . .pictures the responsibilities that a pastor carries for his people. The reviving of the soul, rest, peace of heart and mind, are still basic needs of God's sheep. And pastors, as undershepherds, cannot shirk their responsibility to provide for these needs. They cannot delegate this responsibility to a psychiatrist. (Adams, 1970, p.66-67)
According to Holling (1990), pastoral counseling is unique to the field of counseling, this because the ordained pastor is both a theologian and a representative of the church operating within a community of faith. Holling does not believe that this element of pastoral counseling (the two-fold nature of the minister's role) has been sufficiently integrated into most delineations of pastoral counseling.
He states that pastoral counselors should bring this perspective more to the for...