Volunteer as a counselor before investing several years in an educational program. Volunteer at a church, a distress center or a shelter. Take a counseling course at a community college. Ask your pastor for permission to sit in on some counseling sessions. The client being counseled must give consent, and you must agree to confidentiality.
Complete secular educational programs. A counseling professional often has a Masters degree in social work, or is a registered psychologist. Regulations vary from state to state in terms of the education and qualifications needed to use the title "counselor" or "therapist." Check with your local counseling, psychotherapy, psychology and social work associations. Take Bible courses, divinity courses and Christian counseling courses after qualifying as a licensed or registered therapist.
Contact the American Association of Pastoral Counselors; investigate which educational programs they recommend to become a pastoral counselor. The groups offers a list of educational facilities.
Research educational facilities in your state that offer training programs in pastoral counseling.
Complete an upper-level degree related to pastoral counseling. Relevant degree programs for pastoral counseling include theology in Christian counseling, religious education, ministry in Christian counseling and philosophy in Christian counseling.