Pastoral Care and
Counseling Organizations
The following are a listing of chaplaincy, pastoral care and pastoral counseling organizations. Contact the national office for information about local members and when informational meetings are held.
Click on any organization below for a short description and contact information.
American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC), 9504 A Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031; (703) 385-6967. An international organization of ministers, priests, rabbis and religious oriented professionals. AAPC promotes the development of pastoral counseling ministry. It establishes standards and provides certification for competent practice and training of pastoral counselors and accreditation for pastoral counseling centers and training programs. Publishes a newsletter, educational materials, cosponsors the publication of The Journal of Pastoral Care, and holds meetings for members.
American Protestant Correctional Chaplains Association (APCCA), 5235 Greenpoint Dr., Stone Mountain, GA 30088; (404) 469-8294 or (404) 469-8703. APCCA certifies chaplains for ministry in correctional institutions. It promotes continuing education and interprets the chaplain's role to the public and correctional officials. Publishes a newsletter, cosponsors The Journal of Pastoral Care, and has conferences.
Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), 1549 Clairmont Rd., Suite 103, Decatur, GA 30033; (404) 320-1472; www.acpe.edu An interfaith organization that fosters training in pastoral care and counseling through clinical pastoral education (CPE). ACPE establishes CPE standards, accredits CPE centers, and certifies CPE supervisors. Membership is composed of supervisors, members, CPE centers, theological schools, faith groups, and people who support CPE. Newsletter, cosponsors The Journal of Pastoral Care, and holds an annual conference and regional meetings.
Association of Professional Chaplains, 1701 E. Woodfield Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173 (847) 240-1014; www.professionalchaplains.org An interfaith organization of Jewish, Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy. AMHC is engaged in ministry to the emotionally troubled and people with mental illnesses. Membership is open to parish clergy as well as chaplains. AMHC has standards for certification, including a year of Continuing Pastoral Education, six months of which are in a psychiatric setting. Information, referral, newsletter and co-sponsor of The Journal of Pastoral Care.
Chaplaincy Commission, New York Board of Rabbis, 10 E. 73rd St., New York, NY 10021; (212) 879-8415; www.nybr.org Endorses and certifies Jewish chaplains for correctional and health related facilities.
Council on Ministries in Specialized Settings, c/o Human Care Ministries, Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, 1333 South Kirkwood Rd., 63122-7295; (314) 965-9917, ext. 1384, COMISS provides a network for communication and discussion regarding policies and procedures for development, endorsement, and certification of pastoral care, pastoral counseling and chaplaincy ministries. COMISS is composed of representatives from faith groups and professional pastoral care associations.
International Conference of Police Chaplains (ICPC), Route 5, Box 310, Livingston, TX 77351; (409) 327-2332. ICPC is an interfaith organization of chaplains who serve law enforcement agencies. Pastoral care and counseling is provided to law enforcement officers, civilian employees, their families and/or assistance to crime victims. ICPC publishes a newsletter and holds training seminars.
National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), P.O. Box 070473, Milwaukee, WI 53207-0473; (414) 483-4898; Fax: 414-483-6712; www.nacc.org; E-mail:
The NACC is a professional association for certified chaplains and clinical pastoral educators who
participate in the healing mission of Jesus Christ. The association
provides standards, certification, education, advocacy, and professional
development for its members. The NACC certifies chaplains in the name of the
U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Members and subscribers receive
Vision, the association's publication, ten times a year.
National Institute of Business and Industrial Chaplaincy (NIBIC), Institute of Worklife Ministry, 9449 Briar Forest Dr., Houston, TX 97063-1034; (713) 266-2456. An interfaith organization to serve employees and their families in business and industrial settings through pastoral care and counseling ministry. A variety of membership categories are available. Publishes a newsletter, jointly sponsors The Journal of Pastoral Care and holds an annual meeting.
