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Pastoral Counselor Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Documented pastoral leadership, crisis counseling, or hospice/healthcare chaplaincy experience satisfies this pathway. No academic degree is required under this pathway. Additional Requirements (all ...

Makes reasonable efforts to facilitate visits by local clergy, pastoral counselors or other individuals who can support the patient's spiritual needs. Participates as a core member of the ...

Schedule & Hours Vary Key Functions 1. Provide pastoral care and counseling to the Menninger Community * Use spiritual assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in order to contribute to the ...

You will assess their spiritual needs and provide counseling to address those needs, while also facilitating visits from local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other supportive individuals.

Hospice Chaplain

Katy, TX · On-site

$50/hr

You will assess their spiritual needs and provide counseling to address those needs, while also facilitating visits from local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other supportive individuals.

You will assess their spiritual needs and provide counseling to address those needs, while also facilitating visits from local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other supportive individuals.

Hospice Chaplain

Katy, TX · On-site

$50/hr

You will assess their spiritual needs and provide counseling to address those needs, while also facilitating visits from local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other supportive individuals.

You will assess their spiritual needs and provide counseling to address those needs, while also facilitating visits from local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other supportive individuals.

Hospice Chaplain

Katy, TX · On-site

$50/hr

You will assess their spiritual needs and provide counseling to address those needs, while also facilitating visits from local clergy, pastoral counselors, or other supportive individuals.

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Pastoral Counselor information

See Spring, TX salary details

$9.9K

$54.8K

How much do pastoral counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for pastoral counselor in Spring, TX is $54,096.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,900.00 and $54,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do pastoral counselors get paid?

Yes, pastoral counselors typically receive a salary or hourly wage for their work, which can vary based on experience, location, and employer. They often work in religious organizations, hospitals, or mental health settings and may need relevant certifications or training.

How does a Pastoral Counselor typically collaborate with other mental health professionals?

Pastoral Counselors often work as part of an interdisciplinary team that can include psychologists, social workers, and medical professionals. They collaborate by sharing insights—while maintaining client confidentiality—to ensure comprehensive care for clients, especially when spiritual and emotional needs intersect. Regular meetings or case conferences are common, and Pastoral Counselors may provide referrals or receive referrals for clients who need specialized support. This collaborative approach helps address the holistic well-being of individuals within a faith-based context.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pastoral Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pastoral Counselor, you need a background in counseling or psychology, theological training, and often a relevant master's degree or certification. Familiarity with assessment tools, counseling techniques, and ethical guidelines is important, along with potential use of case management software. Strong active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are crucial soft skills for building trust and supporting clients through spiritual and emotional challenges. These skills ensure that clients receive holistic care that addresses both psychological and spiritual needs in a compassionate and ethically responsible manner.

What is required to be a pastoral counselor?

To become a pastoral counselor, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field, followed by a master's degree in pastoral counseling, theology, or a similar discipline. Certification or licensure may be required depending on the state or organization, and strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for providing effective support and guidance in a faith-based context.

What is the difference between Pastoral Counselor vs Mental Health Counselor?

AspectPastoral CounselorMental Health Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires a religious degree, pastoral training, and state licensureRequires a master's degree in counseling or psychology and state licensure
Work EnvironmentReligious settings, churches, faith-based organizationsClinics, hospitals, private practices, mental health facilities
Employer & IndustryReligious institutions, faith-based organizationsHealthcare, mental health services, private practices
FocusSpiritual guidance, faith-based counseling, emotional supportPsychological treatment, mental health management, behavioral therapy

While both roles provide emotional support and counseling, Pastoral Counselors focus on spiritual guidance within faith-based settings, whereas Mental Health Counselors provide clinical mental health treatment in healthcare environments. The choice depends on whether the client seeks faith-based or clinical mental health support.

What field of counseling makes the most money?

In counseling, clinical psychologists and psychiatrists tend to earn the highest salaries, often due to advanced degrees and licensing requirements. While pastoral counselors provide valuable support, they generally earn less than licensed mental health professionals working in clinical or medical settings.

What is the role of a pastoral counselor?

A pastoral counselor provides emotional and spiritual support to individuals facing personal, emotional, or mental health challenges. They often integrate psychological principles with spiritual guidance and may work in religious or community settings, requiring strong communication skills and relevant certifications. Their role includes counseling, crisis intervention, and promoting overall well-being within a faith-based or holistic context.

What is a pastoral counselor?

A pastoral counselor is a professional who integrates psychological therapy and spiritual guidance to help individuals cope with personal, emotional, or spiritual challenges. They are often trained in both mental health counseling and theology, allowing them to address issues from a holistic perspective. Pastoral counselors may work in religious institutions, counseling centers, or private practice, and they typically respect the client's faith background while providing support. They help with concerns such as grief, relationship issues, anxiety, and spiritual crises, combining clinical skills with compassionate, faith-informed care.

What Is a Pastoral Counselor?

A pastoral counselor blends traditional psychology with theological concepts. As a pastoral counselor, your job is to provide counseling that incorporates the religious beliefs of the patient. Typical duties involve meeting with patients and their families, developing treatment methods, and analyzing the results. As a pastoral counselor, you often utilize prayer in your treatment services. You work with people of all ages with emotional, mental health, and behavioral issues as well as substance abuse and marriage problems. Though you typically work in a clinical setting, you may also provide group therapy to a church congregation.

What are popular job titles related to Pastoral Counselor jobs in Spring, TX? For Pastoral Counselor jobs in Spring, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Pastoral Counselor jobs in Spring, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Pastoral Counselor jobs in Spring, TX are:
What cities near Spring, TX are hiring for Pastoral Counselor jobs? Cities near Spring, TX with the most Pastoral Counselor job openings:
Infographic showing various Pastoral Counselor job openings in Spring, TX as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,096 per year, or $26 per hour.

Student Educator Clinical Pastoral Education

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital

Houston, TX

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Houston Methodist rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 298 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

53rd of 890 rated healthcare providers


Job description

At Houston Methodist, the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) Student Educator Phase I position is responsible for participating in a multi-year training program towards achievement as a Clinical Pastoral Education Certified Educator by the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE). Under supervision of the CPE Certified Educator and/or CPE Director/Manager, this position performs activities towards the fulfillment of certification requirements to include facilitating and teaching CPE courses, participating in curriculum development, and providing individual and group student supervision. The CPE Student Educator Phase I position also performs the job of Chaplain, initially about 50% of the time and lessening as responsibilities associated with the student training increase over time due to receiving candidate status by ACPE. This position assists leadership in carrying out the Houston Methodist mission, vision, and values, participating in activities in these efforts.
FLSA STATUS
Exempt
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • Master’s degree in theological studies from an institution accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or equivalency approved by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC and only if prior to 2017), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), or Spiritual Care Association (SCA)
  • Four units of CPE from Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) accredited center

EXPERIENCE
  • Experience as a professional chaplain preferred

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
  • Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
  • Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
  • Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
  • Endorsed for chaplaincy by a recognized endorsing body
  • Demonstrates knowledge of ACPE Standards and Manuals, ACPE Code of Professional Ethics, and APC Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators, and Students
  • Possesses basic computer knowledge; operates various computer systems to enter and maintain patient documents
  • Ability to work independently; capable of effectively handling challenging/difficult interactions, patient care situations; demonstrates sound judgment and executes above average communication skills
  • Exhibits strong interpersonal and team player skills with all levels of the healthcare team
  • Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to attributes of integrity, honesty, personal responsibility, and accountability
  • Demonstrates emotional and spiritual maturity
  • Adapts to multiple ongoing priorities with minimal supervision including organizing workflow and actively participating in problem-solving
  • Very strong organizational skills and detail-oriented nature
  • Professional handling of exposure to confidential/sensitive information
  • Demonstrates ability to utilize educational resources to develop reflectivity
  • Demonstrates awareness of emotional self and the ability to translate awareness into spiritual care action
  • Demonstrates knowledge and awareness of how socio-economic and cultural systems and structures impact well-being of individuals and groups
  • Exhibits the ability to mentor others on pastoral/professional functioning
  • Demonstrates awareness of the need for a theoretical foundation in education and personality development for Certified Educators
  • Demonstrates integration of theory and practice in the provision of spiritual care
  • Demonstrates awareness of multi-faceted roles in chaplaincy or pastoral/spiritual care context
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of current ACPE Standards and the Common Qualifications and Competencies for Professional Chaplains and how to access the documents

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Promotes a supportive and positive environment for Houston Methodist CPE students, collaborating and communicating in a non-judgmental manner. Articulates the importance of and demonstrates ability to navigate interdisciplinary systems to accomplish shared goals for the benefit of care receivers. Communicates beliefs, thoughts, values, and feelings clearly through congruent verbal, non-verbal, and written skills.
  • After receiving candidate status by ACPE, provides group and individual mentoring of CPE students, including spiritual care support to patients, family members, and employees on assigned clinical units, when on call, participating in patient rounds, discharge planning, support groups, sacred story groups and other interprofessional teams. Upholds ethical behavior and protects the welfare of others within spiritual care practice.
  • Exhibits and demonstrates the ability to learn from peers, recognize relational dynamics, and establishes collaborative and dialogical relationships. Displays self-awareness and reflection in spiritual care practice. Demonstrates basic knowledge of spiritual care assessment tools and human development. Recommends initiatives to improve department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Makes pastoral visit, providing spiritual care that is sensitive to individuals' social, religious, and cultural contexts. Uses tools for assessment, plan of care, intervention, and evaluation of outcomes appropriate to the patient care context. Provides spiritual care to meet the spiritual, religious, and emotional needs of patients and their family members of all faiths, during hospitalization and particularly for pre-operative, critically ill and dying patients. Respects physical, emotional, and spiritual boundaries in the practice of spiritual care. Enables others to utilize their own faith as a resource for health and healing.
  • Demonstrates basic knowledge of spiritual care assessment tools and human development. Exhibits ability to provide care as a skillful, empathic, and compassionate spiritual caregiver Empowers others to initiate and receive feedback in a clinical consultation. Understands own need for consultation in clinical context.
  • Articulates a theology/philosophy of spiritual care that is integrated with spiritual care practice. Recognizes situations that challenge adherence to ACPE Standards and Ethics. Proactively identifies when a change in approach or intervention is necessary, taking appropriate action and involving others as needed. Provides crisis intervention for patients and family, visitors, employees, and physicians.
  • Recommends initiatives/activities to meet/exceed department and organization targets for patient satisfaction measures.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Under supervision of a CPE Certified Educator and/or CPE Director/Manager, plans and develops CPE curriculum, co-teaches, or independently teaches and facilitates CPE courses/units.
  • Accurately and thoroughly documents patient visits and spiritual care provided in the patient’s record. Ensures the accuracy and thoroughness of documentation performed by students in patient records.
  • Upholds ethical behavior and protects the welfare of others within spiritual care practice. Articulates organizational strengths and weaknesses from current and previous spiritual care contexts. Instructs and facilitates reflection in other learners or professionals.
  • Consults with physicians, clinical management, hospital leadership and staff to assess quality and safety of services provided by CPE students. Identifies opportunities for corrective action and improvement, providing recommendations, contributing to achievement of hospital and department targets for quality and safety.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively and prioritize daily tasks to achieve maximum results in a timely manner. Utilizes time efficiently, demonstrating responsible financial stewardship, and proactively helps other team members.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
  • Articulates the role of chaplain/spiritual caregiver as a potential change agent. facilitate groups such as staff debriefings and support groups worship services, I CARE values integration, accreditation readiness, bioethics, etc. Displays self-awareness and reflection in spiritual care practice. Incorporates understanding of personal/cultural development, educational and vocational history, religious/spiritual development, and CPE experience into practice of spiritual care.
  • Progressively assumes increasing responsibilities associated with fulfilling the requirements for achieving ACPE certification as Educator CPE. Articulates knowledge of ethical theories appropriate to a spiritual care context. Demonstrates basic research literacy and familiarity with evidence-based practice in spiritual care. Prepares and submits supervisory and theological theory papers, participates in video conferences with other Student Educators peer group.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
    WORK ATTIRE
    • Uniform: No
    • Scrubs: No
    • Business professional: Yes
    • Other (department approved): No

    ON-CALL*
    *Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.
    • On Call* No

    TRAVEL**
    **Travel specifications may vary by department**
    • May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area Yes
    • May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
  • Master’s degree in theological studies from an institution accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), or equivalency approved by the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC and only if prior to 2017), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC), Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), or Spiritual Care Association (SCA)
  • Four units of CPE from Association for Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE) accredited center

EXPERIENCE
  • Experience as a professional chaplain preferred

Company Profile:

Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital is a Magnet-recognized, not-for-profit, faith-based hospital that serves the growing Northwest Houston community. We are committed to providing quality, cost-effective health care in a compassionate environment for a full range of services, including emergency care, cardiology, orthopedics and sports medicine, comprehensive women’s services, neurology and neurosurgery, oncology, and primary and general medicine.

Houston Methodist is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


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