Advances and Challenges in Pastoral Psychology

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past several decades, the intersection of theology and psychological science has matured into the dynamic field of pastoral psychology. As an interdisciplinary domain, it investigates how religious belief systems, spiritual practices, and ecclesial structures influence individual and collective mental health. Empirical studies increasingly indicate that engagement with the divine and the reception of grace can act as protective factors against anxiety and depression, fostering meaning, community support, and existential resilience.

At the same time, contemporary challenges—including accelerating secularization, the fragmentation of traditional faith communities, and global crises such as pandemics, climate emergencies, and sociopolitical unrest—have intensified the need for approaches that are both theologically grounded and empirically rigorous.

Within this context, pastoral psychology assumes a pivotal role. Drawing on evidence-based frameworks from clinical and positive psychology, priests, chaplains, social workers, and faith-based counselors design interventions that address trauma, bereavement, and moral injury. Theological reflection, in turn, enriches psychological models with insights such as forgiveness, hope, and spiritual identity, contributing to a holistic understanding of human flourishing.

Digital technologies—from tele-chaplaincy platforms to smartphone applications—have further expanded the reach of pastoral care, making spiritual support accessible to geographically dispersed and socially isolated individuals. Yet, despite these advances, practitioners still face significant obstacles: declining institutional trust in religious settings, the absence of standardized outcome measures, clergy burnout, and ethical complexities surrounding confidentiality and dual roles.

By convening scholarship that transcends disciplinary boundaries, this Special Issue, “Advances and Challenges in Pastoral Psychology”, seeks to deepen our understanding of how pastoral care can respond to twenty-first-century realities. We welcome contributions that explore emerging innovations and persistent challenges, critically examining the theological foundations of mental health interventions, the efficacy of digital ministry, and culturally sensitive methodologies that honor diverse faith traditions.

Scope and Contribution Types

We invite original research articles, systematic reviews, case studies, qualitative analyses, theoretical frameworks, and empirical investigations that meet the journal’s standards of scholarly rigor and ethical integrity.

Suggested (Non-Exhaustive) Themes

• Digital and tele-pastoral care: The development, implementation, and effectiveness of virtual chaplaincy platforms, mobile apps for spiritual support, and telehealth integrations. Topics may include user engagement, therapeutic alliance online, and the role of digital rituals in shaping communal identity.
• Trauma-informed pastoral interventions: Empirical and theoretical work on trauma-sensitive care within faith communities—especially post-pandemic, post-disaster, or in settings of social upheaval. Potential foci include validated screening tools, positive vs. negative religious coping, and collaborative clergy–clinician models.
• Integration of positive psychology constructs: Cultivating hope, gratitude, forgiveness, resilience, and post-traumatic growth within pastoral counseling. Submissions may present intervention studies, psychometric validations of spiritual-well-being scales, or comparisons of secular and faith-based approaches.
• Contextual theology and cultural sensitivity: Cultural, ethnic, and interfaith factors shaping pastoral practice. Possible topics include best practices in multicultural congregations, liturgical adaptations for minority communities, and interreligious dialogue in clinical contexts.
• Practical theology and empirical methodologies: Applications of practical theology’s four-fold task (descriptive-empirical, interpretive, normative, pragmatic) to evaluate and enhance pastoral care. We welcome mixed-methods designs, longitudinal outcome studies, and standardized assessment protocols.
• Clerical burnout, professional formation, and ethics: Causes and consequences of burnout among clergy and chaplains, the role of supervision and continuing education, and ethical challenges such as confidentiality, boundary management, and dual relationships.
• Theology of creation care and eco-psychology: Studies addressing eco-anxiety and climate grief through theological and psychological lenses. Topics may include faith-based environmental advocacy, eco-theological resilience frameworks, and the nexus between ecological stewardship and mental health.

Objectives of this Special Issue

1. Advance evidence-based pastoral programs that are adaptable across diverse ecclesial contexts and global regions.
2. Promote standardized instruments for measuring spiritual and psychological outcomes in pastoral settings.
3. Highlight practical relevance of integrative interventions to policymakers, faith leaders, and mental health practitioners.
4. Foster dialogue, encouraging theologians to engage empirical methods and psychologists to recognize theological dimensions of well-being.

Ultimately, we aspire for this Special Issue to become a touchstone for scholars and practitioners seeking to blend theological depth with psychological insight. By showcasing breakthroughs and unresolved tensions alike, we aim to shape future research agendas and inform best practices.

Prior to submitting a full manuscript, please send a proposed title and an abstract (200–300 words) to the Guest Editor (teofil.tia@ubbcluj.ro; ioana.todor@uab.ro) or the Assistant Editor of Religions (zena.zeng@mdpi.com). Abstracts will be screened for fit; full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Teofil Tia
Dr. Ioana Cristina Todor
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Religions is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1800 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• pastoral psychology
• digital pastoral care/tele-chaplaincy
• trauma-informed ministry
• positive psychology constructs
• practical theology
• clergy burnout
• eco-psychology/creation care