Yogyakarta, July 2025 — In an effort to strengthen the capacity of holistic church services responsive to the psychological needs of the congregation, the Faculty of Psychology of Mercu Buana University Yogyakarta (UMBY), in collaboration with the Reksadriya Psychology Team of the GKJ Gondokusuman, held a community service activity entitled "Basic Counseling Training for the Council and Ministers of the Javanese Christian Church (GKJ) Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta."

The activity took place on July 14, 2025, at the GKJ Gondokusuman, and was attended by 30 participants, consisting of the council and ministers. The training began with a Self-Introduction session delivered by Endro Kristanto from the Reksadriya Psychology Team of the GKJ Gondokusuman. This session aimed to provide participants with an understanding of self-introduction in counseling sessions, explore self-introduction tools and exercises, and strengthen the identity and ethical foundation of a counselor. The main session of the training was then led by Angelina Dyah Arum Setyaningtyas, M.Psi., Psychologist, a lecturer in the Faculty of Psychology at UMBY and Head of the Psychology Professional Education Study Program. This training aims to equip church ministers with basic counseling skills, including active listening techniques, empathetic communication, and an understanding of counseling ethics in the context of pastoral care. Through this activity, participants are expected to be able to provide empathetic and professional initial assistance to congregants in need of psychological support.

In addition to the material presentation sessions, the program also included counseling simulations and practical exercises, where participants had the opportunity to hone their skills through real-life case studies drawn from their experiences serving the congregation. The training was interactive, reflective, and filled with a spirit of service. "On behalf of the Service Team, we express our gratitude for this opportunity and are delighted to see the participants' enthusiasm and passion for service. We hope this training is beneficial and can enrich the ministry practices at GKJ Gondokusuman," said Angelina Dyah Arum Setyaningtyas, M.Psi., Psychologist, Head of the Service Team from the Faculty of Psychology, UMBY.

One of the participants, the Chair of the Pastoral Commission for Diakonia, Deacon Prita Paramita, expressed her positive impression of the training:

"I gained many new insights into the basics of counseling. This training has made me more confident in providing services, both spiritually and psychologically, to the congregation," she said.

Through this activity, the Faculty of Psychology at UMBY hopes that counseling services within the GKJ Gondokusuman environment will be more effective, empathetic, and integrated. Going forward, the service team recommends that similar training be held regularly, as well as the development of a professional supervision and referral system between church ministers and psychology staff. Furthermore, plans are being proposed to develop training programs for young congregants and church youth communities, with the aim of developing peer counselors as part of the church community's ongoing psychological support. This activity demonstrates the synergy between higher education institutions and religious institutions in developing psychology-based services, while strengthening the church's role as a space for recovery and support that addresses the spiritual and mental aspects of the congregation.