Become a Member

Yes, CMHM welcomes those who are licensed mental health clinicians or those who are actively engaged in professional pastoral counseling ministry to our membership. However, we do prohibit people from using membership in the Association as a professional mental health counseling/therapeutic qualification, because it is not a professional mental health counseling/therapeutic qualification.

We stipulate that those who serve as mental health ministers and who also serve as clinical or other mental health professionals keep their roles as clinicians/professionals and as mental health ministers clearly defined. In their role as a mental health minister, they serve as non-professional, community peers, who accompany in prayer those who are struggling. 

It is important that those involved with mental health ministry (serving in and/or served by) clearly understand that this is a ministry of prayer, presence, and accompaniment. It does not provide clinical or professional mental health care.

Mental health clinicians and other mental health professionals can serve a mental health ministry in their professional capacity if and when it is stated clearly that they are doing so. One example of this is when a clinician offers an educational talk for the parish community. In this case they are serving the ministry, but they are clearly doing so as a professional/educator.

“Those Mental Health Ministers who hold active professional licenses or credentials in the mental health field should consider the legal and ethical expectations set by their licensing agency. Although these ministers are volunteers and not formally working in their capacity as a mental health professional, there should be a personal understanding of any moral obligations (or state/licensing agency ethical and legal obligations) that may apply to a variety of situations. Indeed, it is our recommendation that health and mental health practitioners involved in the Mental Health Ministry assume roles that support the ministry directly (i.e., organizing, leadership, facilitating large group presentations) but do not necessarily involve individual accompaniment for parishioners. This practice helps limit the potential for dual relationships and confusion of the nature of the lay ministerial relationship on the part of the parishioner." (Catholic Mental health Ministry: Guidelines for Implementation, 2nd edition, 2023)

For more information on potential legal issues associated with mental health ministry, please review our Legal Liability page. If further clarification about the role of mental health clinicians and other mental health professionals in mental health ministries is desired, please contact [email protected]

Thank you for seeking additional ways to support those who are affected by mental health challenges and to support CMHM's mission. If you are not yet ready to begin a mental health ministry in your community, here are some other ways you can help:

1. Pray! Please join us in praying for those who are affected by mental health challenges and for our mission at CMHM. Take advantage of the many prayer resources we offer that are related to mental health challenges, or pray in whichever ways are most meaningful to you.
2. Encourage others in your parish or diocesan community to start a mental health ministry. If you have discerned that you are not the right person to begin a ministry at this time, consider reaching out to your parish or diocesan leadership so that they might identify others who could begin to offer this ministry in your community.
3. Become an Associate Member of CMHM, or subscribe to our Newsletter, and subscribe/like/follow us on our social media channels. Stay connected and updated about what is happening in mental health ministry around the world, and help us share the good news with your local Catholic community and your social media contacts.
4. Donate. Make a monetary donation to CMHM so we can continue our mission and develop and provide resources for those serving in mental health ministries around the world.

Questions may be directed to [email protected]