All applicants for licensure for pastoral psychotherapist shall have completed one of the following sets of requirements:

1. (a) Concentration in theological studies, by demonstrating the following:

   1. (1) Have met the standards as defined by RSA 330-A:17, I – XI;

   2. (2) Hold the following degrees:

      1. a. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university;
      2. b. A Master of Divinity degree from a school of theology accredited by the American Association of Theological Schools; and
      3. c. A doctoral degree in pastoral psychotherapy or psychology and clinical studies based on a program the content of which was primarily psychology, pastoral counseling or psychotherapy, and clinical studies, or its equivalent in both subject matter and extent of training;

   3. (3) The following areas of study shall be included as components of the academic degrees required in (2) above:

      1. a. Theories of personality and personality development;
      2. b. Interpersonal relations;
      3. c. Marriage and family dynamics;
      4. d. Group dynamics;
      5. e. Personality and culture;
      6. f. Psychopathology;
      7. g. Psychology of religious experience;
      8. h. Theories of counseling and psychotherapy;
      9. i. Personality assessment and statistics;
      10. j. Theories of the pastoral office, including the history and theory of pastoral care;
      11. k. Research methods;
      12. l. Models of integration of psychology and spirituality; and
      13. m. Orientation to the helping professions and ethics;
   4. (4) Are a member of and have maintained active membership in a denomination or faith group; and
   5. (5) Are a member of and have maintained active membership in the New Hampshire Pastoral Psychotherapist Association; or

2. (b) Concentration in multidisciplinary studies by demonstrating the following:

   1. (1) Hold a current active license recognized by the NH board of mental health practice or NH board of psychologists; and

   2. (2) The course of study has components that study a multidisciplinary core body of knowledge that includes the following:

      1. a. “Area I: Core Clinical Theory” shall include but not be limited to:

         1. 1. A minimum of 18 semester hours with courses in 2.-6., below, making up the 18 semester hours;
         2. 2. Counseling and psychotherapy: theory and techniques of at least 6 hours;
         3. 3. Group dynamics: theory and technique of at least 3 hours;
         4. 4. Couples and family systems: theories and techniques of at least 3 hours;
         5. 5. Social and cultural diversity of at least 3 hours;

         6. 6. Elective courses of at least 3 hours shall include but not be limited to:

            1. (i) Theories of human behavior: learning and personality development;
            2. (ii) Appraisal, evaluation, and diagnostic procedures;
            3. (iii) Abnormal behavior;
            4. (iv) Addictions; and
            5. (v) Foundations of spiritually integrated psychotherapy; and

         7. 7. Specialized technical studies with a minimum of 6 semester hours that includes the following topics:

            1. (i) Psychodynamic psychotherapies;
            2. (ii) Marriage and family systems;
            3. (iii) Humanistic psychotherapy;
            4. (iv) Transpersonal psychotherapy;
            5. (v) Cognitive therapy;
            6. (vii) Behavior therapy;
            7. (viii) Grief therapy;
            8. (ix) Group therapy; and
            9. (x) Post-modern and constructivist therapies; and

      2. b. “Area II: Pastoral Counseling Foundations” which include but shall not be limited to:

         1. 1. Required graduate courses of a minimum of 21 semester hours with hours in 2. and 3., below, making up the 21 semester hours;

         2. 2. Graduate courses:

            1. (i) Sacred texts of at least 3 hours required;
            2. (ii) Theology and theological ethics of at least 6 hours;
            3. (iii) History of pastoral care and counseling;
            4. (iv) Pastoral diagnosis; and
            5. (v) Basic pastoral care; and

         3. 3. Elective courses of at least 6 semester hours in the following:

            1. (i) History of one’s faith group; and
            2. (ii) World religions or comparative religions studies, which shall include the following:

            3. i. Spirituality and spiritual formation;

               ii. Pastoral theology;

               iii. Faith development;

               iv. Theology of psychotherapy;

            4. v. Psychology of religion; and

               vi. Clinical pastoral education or pastoral care specialist training.

Source. (See Revision Note at chapter heading for Mhp 100) #5675, eff 7-22-93; EXPIRED: 7-22-99 New. #7625, eff 1-10-02, EXPIRED: 1-10-10 New. #9854, eff 1-25-11; ss by #10857, eff 6-24-15 (formerly Mhp 302.07); amd by #12153, eff 3-25-17; ss by #13786, eff 12-19-23 (See Revision Note at chapter heading for Mhp 300); ss by #14464, eff 2-17-26, EXPIRES 2-17-36