Professional counselors, by definition, care for the souls of their fellow human beings. But what does that mean? Reflecting on the biblical view of the soul, Nauer develops a credible understanding of pastoral care for today's people, rooted in the Christian understanding of God and humanity. Building on this foundation, consequences for everyday pastoral practice are drawn. This results in a holistic concept of pastoral care that significantly expands the scope of pastoral action while also demanding prioritization for one's own person. The third edition is not only thoroughly revised in content but also expanded to include highly relevant neuroscientific challenges and development trends related to spiritual care and its significance for pastoral care.