@mikaylar That's a good point. Many pastors, priests, ministers and rabbis have attended pastoral education classes and internships. One of my good friends who is a Lutheran minister feels that her pastoral education is what she was called to do and it is her focus. This friend, by the way, is ecumenical and works with everyone regardless of their religious background.

Thanks for your input, but my father was a pastor. Not the path for me.

I sought grief counseling after my mother died. In trying to resolve unrelated issues since then (temporary anxiety/depression), I was able to reconnect with that counselor on a private basis--technically, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Might be another option for some.