Counseling for Ministers and All Professional Caregivers

The demands of ministry and caregiving can be enormous. Professional boundaries are often hard to maintain, and it may seem like everyone needs you all the time. So often, you are in the midst of the deep sorrow and pain of others for long periods of time. This can cause extreme anxiety, depression and, at its worst, burnout.
This is nothing to be ashamed of.

According to the New York Times (August 1, 2010), “Members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension and depression at rates higher than most Americans. In the last decade, their use of antidepressants has risen, while their life expectancy has fallen. Many would change jobs if they could.”

• 13% of active pastors are divorced.
• 23% have been fired or pressured to resign at least once in their careers.
• 25% don’t know where to turn when they have family or personal conflict issues.
• 25% of pastors’ spouses see their work schedule as a source of conflict.
• 33% felt burned out within their first five years of ministry.
• 1,500 pastors leave their ministries each month due to burnout, conflict or moral failure.

How is that stress affecting you? How is it harming your family, your future and your church? Where is God in this picture?

CareNet counselors can help you and will always hold your conversations in the strictest confidence, as we do with all counseling. If you do not feel comfortable seeking counseling in your community, you can always schedule a session in a nearby center.

Many pastors and other professional caregivers who come to CareNet now wish they had started sooner.