Assessment

Reflective Learning Journal, Portfolio

Module Aims

This module equips learners with foundational knowledge, skills and attitudes required for effective accompaniment in pastoral settings. It aims to cultivate an awareness of the ethos and methodologies of differing forms of accompaniment: Pastoral Counselling, Moral Guidance and Spiritual Accompaniment. It aims to foster self-awareness, interpersonal skills and aptitude for active listening and compassionate presence and to orient learners to best professional practices in counselling and spiritual support while drawing upon the resources of the Christian tradition. The module differentiates between different types of accompaniment and the settings and practices appropriate to each, paying particular attention to questions of appropriate boundaries and when and how to refer for professional counselling.

Learning Outcomes

• — Describe appropriate skills, resources and practices of accompaniment and counselling.
• — Reflect on relevant theory and experiences in the area of accompaniment.
• — Distinguish between types of Pastoral Accompaniment: Pastoral Counselling, Moral Guidance and Spiritual Accompaniment.
• — Differentiate between pastoral accompaniment and professional counselling.
• — Reflect on personal biases as these impact on pastoral ministry and accompaniment.
• — Recognise and explain the principles of best practice in counselling and accompaniment.

Bibliography

• — William A. Barry and William J. Connolly, The Practice of Spiritual Direction, revised and updated, New York: HarperOne, 2009.
• — Gerard Egan, The Skilled Helper. A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping. 10th Edition. Belmont CA: Brooks/Cole, 2014.
• — Maureen Gaffney, Your One Wild and Precious Life. London: Penguin, 2024.
• — Richard Gula, Just Ministry: Professional Ethics for Pastoral Ministers, New York: Paulist Press, 2007.
• — James Keenan, Moral Wisdom: Lessons and Texts from the Catholic Tradition, New York: Sheed & Ward, 2004.
• — D. Mearns & B. Thorne, Person Centred Counselling in Action, 4th Edition, London: Sage, 2013.