Pastoral Care and Counseling has changed radically since the publication of the Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling. Rapid changes have occurred in theological, social, and medical contexts broadening the understanding of care. The shift from the “living human document” to the “living human web” both enriches and challenges the study and practice of pastoral theology. Bringing the field current, this Expanded Edition offers authoritative, easy-to-find information that will assist anyone engaged in the study or practice of pastoral care and counseling.

Now more than 1200 state-of-the art articles, prepared by experts in the field, cover virtually every topic related to pastoral care and counseling. The volume is ecumenical in its vision, enlisting the participation of nearly 600 Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, and Jewish contributors.

This volume is easy to use. Concise articles are arranged in alphabetical order, knit together through an extensive cross-referencing system. These cross-references, together with bibliographies and dummy headings, enable the reader to find information quickly, see the interrelation of topics, and identify additional sources of information and insight.

The Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Expanded Edition also includes longer, more detailed articles and essays. By offering critical perspectives and creative insights, these articles contain abundant resources for the assessment and future development of contemporary practice. Thus the volumje is also an encyclopedic reference that will aid research and teaching, as well as providing insights into the future development of pastoral care and counseling.