Puerto Rican Association of Christian Counseling

CPCA

About us

The Puerto Rican Association of Christian Counseling (APCC) is a professional association of Christians who serve as Christian counselors, professional counselors, pastoral counselors, counseling students, professionals in training, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists, sociologists, social workers, chaplains , Christian ministers, Christian leaders, and other ministries that use Christian counseling as a modality to teach, restore, and help individuals, families, or groups deal with the pressures and crises of life.

Core values

Core values image
The Puerto Rican Association of Christian Counseling, Inc. (APCC) , is a non-profit organization, constituted in accordance with current laws and registered in the Department of State of the Government of Puerto Rico.

Our association is an interdenominational organization where we recognize, support and encourage the free exercise of non-secular counseling based on the Christian faith. At the APCC we understand that Christian counseling is a recognized discipline, and a therapeutic approach that integrates the science of psychology and theology in a holistic approach to the emotional, psychological, social and spiritual problems of the human being.

At APCC we believe that spiritual, ethical and religious values are essential to the overall development of the person and we believe that our members are committed to integrating these values into the counseling process.

ORGANIZATIONAL PHILOSOPHY

01

OUR MISSION

Contribute to the training of professionals with resources that promote mental, physical and spiritual health in their consultants.

02

OUR VISION

Favor and promote the exercise of the professional practice of Christian and pastoral counseling as a model that integrates faith and scientific aspects to improve people's lives.

03

OUR PURPOSE

Promote the development of ecclesiastical leadership in the scientific knowledge of human behavior in harmony with the Christian faith, so that the counselors and the pastoral ministry can acquire intervention skills in the processes of psycho-spiritual help.

Aspectos importantes

Legal Basis of Christian Pastoral Counseling

Legal Basis of Christian Pastoral Counseling

Law No. 147 of August 9, 2002

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Religious practices and psychological well-being

Religious practices and psychological well-being

There are studies on the effects, both positive and negative, of spirituality and religious practices on the psychological well-being of individuals. Most of these studies found strongly positive associations and conclude that spirituality has a direct effect on people's health, well-being, and psychological adjustment. (González, Quintero, Veray, & Rosario, 2017)

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Effectiveness of spiritual clinical interventions

Effectiveness of spiritual clinical interventions

Spiritual interventions have been defined as those therapeutic strategies that incorporate a spiritual or religious dimension as a central component of the intervention (Rivera Ledesma, 2011).

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Mental Health Counselors and Spiritual Counseling

Mental Health Counselors and Spiritual Counseling

Integrating faith into therapy for the mental well-being of clients (consultants) is increasingly recognized. In the secular field, organizations representing professional mental health counselors, in their various branches, recognize and allow the incorporation of the therapeutic approach of their members in counseling sessions.

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Doctrinal Declaration

Doctrinal Declaration

Our statement of fundamental truths establishes the essential principles that guide the Puerto Rican Association of Christian Counseling (APCC). These truths represent the unshakable foundations of our faith and practice. These pillars are essential to fulfill our primary mission of impacting lives through Christian counseling, promoting spiritual, emotional, and social transformation based on faith in Christ.

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Importance of Continuing Education

Importance of Continuing Education

Continuing education is essential to staying current and relevant in the field of Christian and pastoral counseling. At APCC, we recognize that education does not end with the attainment of an initial degree or certification, but extends through ongoing training that enables counselors to meet today's challenges. This additional education, including courses, workshops, certifications, and conferences, is essential to strengthen knowledge, hone skills, and ensure effective practice aligned with the values and principles of Christian counseling.

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Voluntary Chaplain Corps

Voluntary Chaplain Corps

Law No. 168 of 2012

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CONDUCTA PROFESIONAL

Professional Conduct

Professional Conduct

Como organización certificadora, nos comprometemos a garantizar un alto nivel de calidad en la práctica de la consejería cristiana holística y pastoral. Esto implica que una de las principales responsabilidades de la Asociación es establecer, respaldar y preservar estándares de excelencia que integren principios bíblicos y éticos en la consejería cristiana. Nuestros Estándares deben ser aplicados por cada miembro de la APCC, debe adoptarlos como condición esencial para su participación continua, asegurando así un servicio comprometido con la integridad y la fidelidad a la fe cristiana.

Character of a Christian Counselor

Character of a Christian Counselor

The Christian counselor must reflect a character based on spiritual, social, growth and personal talent values, which guide his practice and his relationship with others: Spiritual Values: A Christian counselor must be humble, patient, and tolerant, showing understanding, gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, mercy and a sincere love towards those he serves, reflecting the example of Christ. Social Conduct Values: His interaction with others must be marked by respect, honesty, responsibility and justice. In addition, he must promote kindness, unity in relationships and act with integrity at all times. Personal Growth Values: The counselor must cultivate self-discipline and diligence, value continuous learning, maintain an objective vision and make wise decisions. It is essential that he develop communication skills, self-motivation and a constant willingness to grow personally and professionally. Personal Talent Values: Your strengths include courage to face challenges, enthusiasm for your work, a spirit of service, perseverance, generosity, creativity and the ability to maintain a good sense of humor, even in difficult circumstances, demonstrating a resilient and hopeful character.

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Frequent questions

The need to carry out the task of advising through Christian counseling in a professional manner is becoming more pressing every day in contemporary society. At APCC we are committed to helping the development of Christian counselors, anyone who wants to function in Christian faith-oriented counseling, whether licensed professionals, pastors, and lay members of the church with little or no no formal training.


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Counseling is the process of guiding the client through the use of alternatives (necessary resources or particular tools) to achieve better mental health. A clinical counselor or professional counselor treats clients based on the area in which the client is uncomfortable or upset. The counselor would have researched possible solutions that have an impact on customers. This process takes a few sessions depending on the client's situation.


Christian counseling is a shared dynamic between the counselor and the counselee (consultant). It is to accompany a person in the process of finding viable, responsible, positive and creative alternatives to their problems. Through the counseling process, the person is helped to modify harmful thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviors that contribute to their consultation situation. That is why advising is not giving advice, it is not a well-intentioned but futile action. Christian counseling uses the revelation and understanding of God's word, along with evidence-based counseling techniques, promotes mental and spiritual health to help people through all of life's challenges.
La consejería pastoral es una forma especializada de consejería (conseling), brindada por clérigos que han recibido capacitación en consejería y que también se ocupan de asuntos espirituales.

*Gladding, S. T. (2018). The counseling dictionary. American Counseling Association. 
Psychological Counseling * is that which uses a wide range of culturally informed and culturally sensitive practices to help people improve their well-being, prevent and alleviate distress, resolve crises, and increase their ability to function better in their lives. It focuses specifically but not exclusively on policy development throughout the life cycle, with a particular emphasis on prevention and education , addressing both individuals, as well as the systems and contexts in which they operate.


* American Psychological Association (APA).
Creemos que un consejero cristiano es quién brinda apoyo espiritual, emocional y cognitivo a través de consejos (no superficiales); ayudando a las personas a encontrar significado para sus vidas y relaciones basados en las Sagradas Escrituras. Un consejero cristiano es un profesional adiestrado y preparado en campo de la psicología y la teología, con un conocimiento adecuado sobre el comportamiento humano. El consejero cristiano es un especialista sensible, debidamente preparado y certificado para ofrecer herramientas adecuadas como alternativas para afrontar crisis, conflictos y situaciones indeseadas de sus aconsejados.
El consejero clínico cristiano ejerce una función de ayuda al tener que trabajar con un individuo, una pareja, un matrimonio, una familia, un grupo, una organización o una comunidad. Los consejeros cristianos son cristianos que integran la psicología secular en su consejería. Los consejeros bíblicos o noutéticos rechazan la psicología secular por completo. El consejero clínico cristiano a diferencia de los consejeros no cristianos o seculares, puede incorporar la oración, las Escrituras y otras prácticas de fe con intervenciones clínicas de salud mental para ayudar a los clientes a encontrar una armonía saludable en su vida, matrimonio, familia, o ministerio. 
Nuestro logo representa la dinámica de interacción que ocurre en el proceso de consejería cristiana. Al fondo y cómo fundamento base se puede apreciar el libro de las Sagradas Escrituras, donde el color rojo resalta el sacrificio de Cristo mediante Su Sangre. Sacrificio que fue hecho para otorgar el perdón del pecado y redención mediante la fe, a todo aquel que cree (Efesios 1.7).
El ser humano posee un alma y en el dibujo del rostro de perfil aparece la letra griega Psi del alfabeto griego, la cual es la representación de la palabra “Psyche” que significa “aliento”, “ánimo”, “soplo de viento”, “alma” y “mente”. Las flechas representan la interacción de las personas con las Sagradas Escrituras, la cual mediante la consejería cristiana le ayuda en su necesidad de restaurar y/o fortalecer su vida espiritual con Su Creador.
Considerando que el hombre fue creado como un ser tripartito (espíritu, alma y cuerpo; 1 Tes 5:23) tiene la tendencia a desatender su necesidad espiritual, la cual, la mayoría de las veces se elude en procesos de consulta y sicoterapia mediante la consejería secular. Pudiendo ser atendido efectivamente de forma holística mediante el proceso de Consejería Pastoral y Consejería Cristiana.

Relaciones institucionales

Contact


 consejeroscristianospr@gmail.com

  • Metro Office Park 2 Street 1, Suite 100 Guaynabo, PR oo968-1718

APCC provides administrative services from the main offices of CARE Counseling Services, Inc.

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