 Steve Heitkamp -
Director of Horizon Hope Counseling, Inc.
“ I come to my therapeutic work with the compassionate heartfelt intention of a pastor and clinical insight of a psychotherapist. I really do enjoy getting to know people and assisting them find deep insight as related to patterns and improvements for their lives. Pastor’s and physicians often refer to me and they receive positive feedback as persons improve functioning and participate in their communities. Those who refer to me have found that I am a trusted and professional resource to patients and parishioners. I utilize the skills I have gained to assist individuals, children, couples and families at very important times in their lives. I count it a privilege to sit with persons as they seek healthier ways to be in relationship with each other and the world around them.”
Link to American Association of Pastoral Counselors - AAPC - Click Here
Professional Employment
Executive Director - Horizon Hope Counseling, Inc. December 2008 - Present
Belleville, IL
Care and Counseling 1999 - December 2008
Clinical Resident 1999-2002
Lead Staff Counselor, Director of Training, Member of the Administrative Team 2002- 2008
Pastor or Staff with United Methodist Churches (1989 - Present)
EDUCATION
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY. 2003
Doctor of Ministry; Pastoral Counseling/Psychotherapy.
Care and Counseling Clinical Residency, St. Louis, MO. 2002
3 year Training and Clinical Experience. Post Graduate Training in Pastoral Counseling and Psychotherapy. Focus on Psychodynamic and Systems Theory.
Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY. 1991
Masters of Divinity.
Asbury College, Wilmore, KY. 1987
Bachelor of Arts Major Psychology (Double major in Clinical and Counseling Foundations), Minor in Christian Education.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND LICENSES
LICENSED CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Current License Number # 180006995
State Criteria Include academic, clinical experience and exams as follows: Masters or Doctoral Degree in the field of counseling, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or similar program approved by the Department of professional regulation and having completed the equivalent of 2 years full-time supervised employment or experience working as a clinical professional counselor under the direction of a qualified supervisor, at least one year of which is subsequent to the degree. Academic Requirements include the following areas: Human Growth and Development, Counseling theory, counseling techniques, group dynamics, processing and counseling, appraisals of individuals, research and evaluation, professional, legal and ethical-responsibilities relating to professional counseling, especially as related to Illinois law, social and cultural foundations, life-styles and career development, practicum, substance abuse, maladaptive behavior and psychopathology, family dynamics.
Two Exams: (NCC) National Certified Counselors Exam and (NCMHCE) National Clinical Mental Health Counselors Exam as administered by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC)
FELLOW IN THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PASTORAL COUNSELORS – 2002
Fellow Criteria Includes: The standards set by AAPC require intensive studies in the behavioral sciences and numerous hours of clinical training and supervision. Among the clinical areas considered important by AAPC to achieve educational objectives for pastoral counseling are: Psychopathology, Group Dynamics, Theories of Personality and Personality Development, Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences and Theology, Interpersonal Relations, and Marriage and Family Dynamics. This clinical training involves the completion of at least 1,625 hours of supervised clinical experience and 250 hours of direct approved supervision of one's work in both crisis and long-term situations. AAPC also stresses that endorsements entails the ability of the certified pastoral counselor to be able to integrate the fields of psychology and faith with both theory and clinical practice.
ELDER IN FULL CONNECTION IN THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH – Elder – 1993; DEACON - 1991
•Appointed to United Methodist Congregations in Indiana and Illinois 1989 – 2002.
•Appointed to Care and Counseling 1999- 2008.
Appointed to Horizon Hope Counseling, Inc. December 2008.
SPECIALIZED TRAINING
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DEPENDANCE TRAINING FOR CLERGY AND FAITH COMMUNITIES, Specific training to assist Clergy and Faith Communities related to Substance Abuse: “Substance Abuse and the Family: Defining the Role of the Faith Community” Core Competencies for Clergy and Other Pastoral Ministers in Addressing Alcohol and Drug Dependence and the Impact on Family Members. Training given by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in cooperation with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors. April 2005.
MINNESOTA MULTIPHASIC PERSONALITY INVENTORY (MMPI) - Interpretation and Analysis – Training Minneapolis Minnesota - 2004.
UNITED METHODIST CLERGY TESTING AND INTERPRETATION FOR MINISTERIAL CANDIDATES – Specialized training in interpretation, interviewing and writing reports for candidates for ministry in the United Methodist Church – 2004 Training – Nashville, Tennessee.
CLERGY TESTING AND INTERPRETATION TEAM OF CARE AND COUNSELING. Served as part of team interpreting and interviewing candidates for United Methodist candidates for ministry and other judicatories throughout Illinois and Missouri. 2002-2007.
PROFESSIONAL BODY OF WORK PERTINANT TO THIS APPLICATION PROCESS
SPECIALITIES - COUNSELING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY Adults,Individual, Couples and Families. Children and Adolescents with problems such as anxiety, depression, school concerns, life transitions, grief and loss.
Clinical Work with Clergy and Clergy Families
•Psychotherapy and Counseling with Clergy and Clergy Families of multiple denominations.
•Experience Training Pastors in Referral and Pastoral Counseling Education.
•Experience in Consultation to Clergy on Ministry Issues and Dynamics.
Facilitator of Family of Origin Systems Group for Episcopal Leaders of the Episcopalian Church.
•Serve as the Consultant to 8 Bishops of the Episcopalian Church for two day retreats three times a year. 2005-2008.
•Member of the Faculty of Care and Counseling 2003-2008 Instructor in the following areas: Family and Faith of Origin and the Helping Professional. A Systems look at those who minister and help others; Psychodynamic Psychopathology, and faculty of Pastoral Care Specialist Program of Care and Counseling.
THE EDUCATION OF PASTORAL COUNSELORS
A certified Pastoral Counselor is an ordained clergy person or endorsed religious person who has received specialized training in religion and the behavioral sciences, and who is certified by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC)2. In addition, the Pastoral Counselor may be state licensed as a professional counselor or in a number of mental health specialties, such as marriage and family therapy, clinical psychology, or social work.
By studying theology as well as psychology, Pastoral Counselors are trained in two disciplines instead of one, providing a unique opportunity to integrate them both into an effective psychotherapeutic process. As a result of this dual training, Pastoral Counselors are among the most educated and competent of mental health professionals.
Candidates seeking certification by AAPC are thoroughly tested and evaluated to assure that AAPC certifies only the most competent individuals who have extensive education and clinical training and who possess the highest morals and personal standards. Following certification by AAPC, the Pastoral Counselor must submit an annual self-report form which verifies continued adherence to the standards of practice set forth by the Association, including their continued good standing within their faith groups.
In its certification role, the AAPC has as its purposes the following: "professional excellence of pastoral counselors; exploration, clarification and guidance of human life, both individual and corporate, at experiential and behavioral levels through a theological perspective; relations with ecclesiastical groups; inter-professional relationships; and increased understanding of the ministry of pastoral counseling." (AAPC Constitution) Typical education and training for the Fellow level Pastoral Counselor consists of a Bachelor's Degree from a college or university, a 3 year professional degree from a seminary (e.g., M.Div., or B.D.), and a specialized masters or doctoral degree in the field, (e.g., M.A., S.T.M., Th.M., S.T.D., or D.Min. (clinical degrees)), and Ph.D. or Th.D. (teaching/clinical degrees). A significant portion of this education is spent in some clinical training setting. Many university schools of theology, graduate institutes, and seminaries around the country prepare ministers for pastoral counseling. The standards set by AAPC requite intensive studies in the behavioral sciences and numerous hours of clinical training and supervision. Among the clinical areas considered important by AAPC to achieve educational objectives for pastoral counseling are: Psychopathology, Group Dynamics, Theories of Personality and Personality Development, Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Research Methods in the Behavioral Sciences and Theology, Interpersonal Relations, and Marriage and Family Dynamics. This clinical training involves the completion of at least 1,625 hours of supervised clinical experience and 250 hours of direct approved supervision of one's work in both crisis and long-term situations.
While some mental health core disciplines require their professionals to obtain only one review for certification, and thereafter to adhere to the standards set by their discipline, AAPC certified Pastoral Counselors must be reviewed each time they seek a higher level of membership in AAPC.
The basic level of AAPC membership is the Member level which is seen as a temporary step on the way to the Fellow level. Those at the Member level must remain under the supervision of those professionals of their discipline who have a greater degree of experience and expertise in pastoral counseling than they do. At the Fellow level, the counselor receives recognition of competence to work without constant direct supervision. The highest level of membership in the AAPC is that of Diplomate, which qualifies one to teach and supervise Pastoral Counselors, pastoral counselors-in-training, and clergy in their pastoral care ministries.
In addition to setting standards for the certification of individual Pastoral Counselors, AAPC also sets standards and offers accreditation for pastoral counseling centers. This includes the approval of training programs in pastoral counseling. Periodic reviews are made of all accredited centers and approved training programs to assure maintenance of the high competence required by the standards.
The demand for a pastoral oriented therapy modality is well documented by the Gallup Poll (1992) in which 1,000 persons (50 percent male and 50 percent female) were surveyed. Sixty-six percent preferred a professional counselor who represented spiritual values and beliefs, and 81 percent preferred to have their own values and beliefs integrated into the counseling process.
This poll revealed a broad base of consumers who value the kind of mental health services which qualified Pastoral Counselors offer. That expressed preference cut across all demographic categories: sex, age, region, education level, and race.
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