Abstract
Personhood has been a major theme in the education of pastoral care givers and counselors since the advent of the clinical pastoral paradigm. The theme of personhood has emphasized the “being" of the pastor more than the pastor’s “doing." Personhood has become synonymous with being, and the care giver has developed authentic relational presence as the major vehicle for caring. Related to the notion of being and relational presence is the concept of the emotional, spiritual, and interpersonal maturity of the carer. This concept of maturation gives added meaning to personhood.