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Pastoral Psychotherapists are clergy persons with graduate training enabling them to provide psychotherapy, marital, and family therapy. Some also offer group therapy and sex therapy.

Legislation: NH RSA 330-A:17; Administrative Rules Chapter Mhp 100-500

Licensure Requirements:

• Hold the following educational degrees:
• A Baccalaureate from an accredited college or university;
• A Master of Divinity degree, or an equivalent, from a school of theology accredited by the Association of Theological Schools; and
• A Doctorate in pastoral psychotherapy
• Have attained the level of Fellow in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors or an equivalent organization
• Have been authorized by a denomination or faith group to exercise specific leadership and service on its behalf
• Have completed one unit of full-time clinical pastoral education or its equivalent
• Give evidence of serving at least three years as a clergy person, demonstrating growing maturity in one's identity and role as a professional religious leader
• Complete two years of not less than 1,500 hours per year of supervised experience in pastoral psychotherapy
• Of the of 3,000 hours specified above, have performed at least 1,375 hours of clinical pastoral counseling while receiving at least 250 hours of interdisciplinary supervision
• Give evidence of having undergone sufficient theological and psychotherapeutic investigation of one's own intrapsychic and interpersonal processes
• Give evidence of:
• an understanding of the counseling or psychotherapeutic process;
• an ability to develop the counseling or psychotherapeutic relationship;
• an ability to perform a leadership role in the context of the religious community; and
• an ability to integrate one's professional role and personal identity
• Pass a