Several Key Counseling Centers Are Omitted

Re: “Clergy Polish Counseling Skills to Aid Parishioners” (May 28):

We appreciate you giving this important topic some much-needed public attention. There are more and more clergypersons who choose to specialize in counseling or psychotherapy and seek to blend the spiritual resources of our religious traditions with the modern tools of the behavioral sciences.

Several of the more sophisticated and notable pastoral counseling centers and training programs in this region were omitted from your article. The other major omission was any reference to the American Assn. of Pastoral Counselors, which is the professional and certifying organization for clergypersons who are working in specialized ministries of pastoral counseling.

Since the state of California does not license pastoral counselors, it is important for the public to know that there is a certifying and accrediting procedure for pastoral counselors. There is a wide degree of competency among those clergy who call themselves pastoral counselors.

REV. R. SCOTT SULLENDER

Chair, Legal Concerns Committee

American Assn. of Pastoral

Counselors, Pacific Region