A question can be asked as to whether there is a role for pastoral care. While pastoral care has centuries (millenia) of experience… the last 100 years has seen growth of alternatives for psychoemotional care.

Consider 6 possible (or at least potential) views regarding therapeutic care for those with psychoemotional problems. (These are listed by H. Newton Malony in “The Demise and Rebirth of the Chaplaincy” Journal of Pastoral Care, Vol. 29, 1975)

1. Biophysical. The psychoemotional problems stem from problems with the physical body.

2. Intrapsychic. The problems stem from bad mental processes/conflicts going on within the mind.

3. Behavioral. The problem is bad learned habits that must be unlearned/replaced.

4. Socioeconomic. The problem is the environment the person is in. It is necessary to change the setting.

5. Meaning. The problem is that the individual has failed to gain a sense or purpose or meaning in life.

6. Morality