Church pastors go about their business every day of the week. They are professionals frequently “on-call” visiting the elderly, consoling the sick, religiously educating youth and adults, officiating at religious ceremonies, praying for people everywhere, and preaching the Word. One of the thornier areas of pastoral professional duties is that of counseling. Church members can and do reasonably expect the pastor to be available to provide emotional support in times of need or to be a trusted listener involving personal matters. Counseling is part of a pastor’s job, and counseling gives rise to liability exposure. Below are a few suggested risk control guidelines (these are not all-inclusive) for pastors to consider in their performance of counseling activities:

• Pastors should be aware of their professional limitations. Competency is key in counseling. Do you have the specific education, training, experience, and licensure recognized as standard to provide counseling services? Without specific training and licensure, a good rule of thumb is to limit counseling to spiritual issues.
•  Continuing education, particularly in pastoral counseling, should add to a pastor’s competency in recognizing counseling situations that are beyond the pastor’s ability to provide.
• Make a hard and fast rule to inform any person(s) you counsel the areas and limits of your counseling expertise PRIOR TO ANY COUNSELING ACTIVITY. Also, be transparent in advising the person(s) being counseled that you DOCUMENT the date, duration, and nature of the counseling session. In situations that are beyond the scope of the pastor’s expertise, it is recommended that the pastor give the person(s) in need of counseling a referral to an appropriate professional and DOCUMENT this action.
• Are you considering group counseling ministry, such as grief, substance abuse, or depression? This is an area to pay particular attention to, especially with the rise of opioid abuse and associated tragic losses in today’s society. Before initiating any group counseling ministry, familiarize yourself with the specific education, training, and licensure requirements. Ensure that a professionally qualified and competent individual is always in charge of any group counseling ministry or meeting. Group counseling should not deviate from the pastor’s or leader’s expertise. The pastor/leader should be prepared to refer individuals to an appropriate professional when a situation is beyond the expertise of the pastor/leader.
•  Are you or your church charging a fee for counseling services? If so, those counseling activities may be excluded under the Pastoral Counseling Professional Liability policy.
•  Consider purchasing Pastoral Counseling Professional Liability Insurance Coverage, either yourself and/or through the church you serve. Subject to terms and conditions of the insurance policy. Pastoral Counseling Professional Liability Insurance will provide some liability protection, including defense costs (defense costs are included within, not in addition to, the liability limit).Contact your Trusted Choice Independent Insurance Agent at Richey-Barrett Insurance today with your questions or concerns by phone: 440-835-4800).