Pastoral Counseling

Priests, as shepherds of the flock, care for the people in their flock. Pastoral counseling occurs during a variety of life circumstances. Priests regularly counsel people with spiritual questions and crises of many kinds. Counseling also happens when preparing couples for marriage, during the grief after the death of a loved one, when families welcome a new child, in the Sacrament of Reconciliation,  and during other significant life events. After speaking with you, the priest may determine that you would benefit from specialized care or psychological counseling. Parish priests regularly refer parishioners to various professionals, including spiritual directors, Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, psychiatrists, and county or city Departments of Social Services.

In Virginia, priests are "mandated reporters" when speaking with people outside of the sacrament of Reconciliation of a Penitent (also known as Confession or Penance.) Deacons are "mandated reporters" at all times. This means that ordained clergy are identified in the Code of Virginia as having a legal responsibility to report suspected abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The purpose of mandated reporting is to identify suspected abused and neglected children or vulnerable adults as soon as possible so that they can be protected from further harm. Mandated reporters play a critical role in preventing any future harm to children and vulnerable adults.