The Practice of Pastoral Care, Revised and Expanded Edition: A Postmodern Approach

I’m a doctoral student in theology and had trouble with some of her new chapters. Our CPE class goes through this and painstakingly went through some chapters like chapter 1 and I think chapter 3. Arguments broke out about her meaning because many times it’s unintelligible. I think chapter 4 is simple and very good. So interesting to compare the previous version to this one. The previous version is Much more simplified. There needs to be a middle version that has good documentation, yet does away with sentences with five $10 words. Sure, it makes it sound academic and has sold the book but wow, it’s too much! Next time I do a rewrite of a book and get out the thesaurus and put in $10 words and sell a bunch of them, I’ll thank her though!

Bought this for a simony course. There are a lot of ideas distilled in this title. It reads like a survey of a lot of information. Some chapters are very dense, like I had to read them aloud to really make sense of the sentences. When the book is good, it is very, very good. When it is not, it is overly dense, overly broad, and overly intentional about trying to hit all of the possible applications, sometimes even in the same sentence.

A through, sophisticated and helpful book on perspectives related to functioning as a caregiver in today’s world. Foundational and reflects the complexity of the narratives of caregivers and those to whom they offer care.

Dr. Doehring's revised edition of "The Practice of Pastoral Care" should be considered the standard for all spiritual caregivers to deepen skills and abilities in creating what she describes as "intercultural care"-care based in compassion, walking with, creating safe and ethical environments for caregiving and caregiver self care. Using approaches from psychology, social work, theology and spiritual care. Dr. Doehring does a masterful job in synthesizing a comprehensive approach that remains true to the basic tenet of spiritual care-empathic and compassionate based caregiving that seeks to encourage wholeness and freedom for the suffering soul. It is the number one book in my library for caregiving and I could not recommend it more enthusiastically.

This is a comprehensive treatment of the practice of Pastoral Care. It is a very helpful guide for all working in the areas of chaplaincy and pastoral care reflecting the wisdom of experience and reflective practice.The ethics of professional boundaries and the dangers of crossing those boundaries are explored.It should be recommended reading for all working in these areas where so much harm can be done when those involved with spiritual care are more involved with self than those seeking their care.

I love this revised version - so meaty and deep. My CPE students are really getting a lot from this book!

The book has taught me alot especially concerning pastor care. How to go deeper in giving care, it's not only enough to tell your care-seekers, God bless you or have a good day, but going deeper unto knowing what they are going through as individual and even as a family.

Great Book!!!! All pastors should read this book! You will be blessed!

I bought this book as part of a reading list for my studies.It is excellent

I really enjoyed this book. It was hugely useful to me.

As expected

Will encourage any Theology student to get this book! This specifically teach on basics of pastoral care! Absolutely informative. Great!

This book helps to build awareness of others and ourselves. How do our experiences impact the way we see or approach others? It's imperative that we gain this understanding, so we can become aware of personal biases and better serve those relying on our care. For this reason, I believe it is an essential read for those wishing to provide compassionate care.One flaw worthy of mention is the author's cultural biases. Western knowledge and teachings gain full authority while others receive inferior treatment. An example is her assessment in chapter six regarding belief in God. The reader is left to conclude that unbelievers cannot adequately deal with their stress or trauma. This book is written for Christians entering spiritual care. Her assessment won't offend the intended reader, but it provides another reason for us to become aware of our biases.