4.2.e Warning Signs in Pastoral Visiting

Below are some examples of possible indications that the individual's needs/issues exceed the realm of Pastoral Visitation. if any of the following were observed, the pastoral should seek immediate consultation with a professional psychotherapist as to necessary action.

Difficulty maintaining focus on spiritual issues - the visitation continually digresses to issues of mental health/emotional nature, relationship problems, addictions, past abuse, etc.

Inappropriate level of interest in the pastor - the person seeking help asks questions of a personal nature which could include romantic, relationships, sex, interests, past experiences, abuse survivor, etc.

Dissociative episodes - the person seeking help states they cannot remember the last couple minutes of conversation, becomes overwhelmed emotionally and "check out" temporarily, vivid flashbacks of past abuse, etc.

Idealization of the pastor - the person seeking help deems the pastor only person capable of healing and helping him/her, seeks an increase in frequency or duration of sessions, brings counselor gifts/cards, writes pastor poetry/songs, requests meetings outside the pastor's office or inappropriate hours, calls frequently outside of scheduled counseling times, resistant to termination of pastoral visits and resistant to counseling referral.