The purpose of this research was to explore the referral pattern of a group of clergy in a large midwestern city; to examine the type of problems being seen in counseling by clergy; and, to determine the status of pastoral counselors among mental health professionals. The data showed that clergy use a variety of mental health professionals for referrals for different types of problems. A large portion of problems- seen by clergy in counseling are in the areas of marriage and family problems. Pastoral counselors are viewed as important mental health therapists along with psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
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