Father Justo Hurtado, PhD

Pastoral Care & Transitional Support
Supporting Expats in Crisis or Spiritual Struggles

Navigating life, aging, and unexpected crises in a foreign country can be deeply isolating. You do not have to carry that weight alone.

As a clinical pastoral psychologist and chaplain, I provide confidential, one-on-one transitional support, ministerial care, and meaning-centered guidance designed specifically for the English-speaking expat community. Whether you are dealing with caregiver burnout, medical trauma, grief, or the heavy adjustments of life abroad, I am here to help you find grounding and resilience.

My Approach

True healing requires looking at the whole person. My practice is entirely unique, combining the academic rigor of my doctoral research into human transition with deep, humanistic compassion.

You won’t find sterile clinical jargon or rigid dogmatic boxes here. I offer an inclusive, affirming space where you can speak honestly, process your reality, and figure out your next steps.

Confidentiality & Data Privacy: Your privacy is absolute. While this space is consultative and ministerial, I protect your data with the highest international protocols. All virtual sessions are conducted via secure platforms aligned with US HIPAA security standards, and in full compliance with Mexico’s federal data protection laws (Ley Federal de Protección de Datos Personales).

Meet Father Justo Hurtado, PhD

I understand the beautiful, chaotic, and sometimes overwhelming reality of living in Mexico because it is my home, too. After decades of serving as a hospital chaplain and parish pastor, I retired to Mexico to begin my own next chapter, so I know firsthand what it means to navigate a major life transition in a foreign country.

Managing sudden health crises, family conflict, or the complexities of the second half of life is heavy enough. I understand these physical and emotional realities intimately, not just as a supportive companion on your journey, but as someone navigating my own daily life with a rare neuromuscular disorder.

While I continue to spend a lot of my time serving our local community here as a volunteer, I built this space because I saw a profound need for a safe harbor: a place where expats could find the highest level of existential guidance and transitional support without losing the warmth of real human connection.

My background merges decades of advanced study in human ethics and crisis training with a deep foundation in chaplaincy. In this space, those heavy institutional structures step back. I meet you simply as an accessible, down-to-earth companion, focusing entirely on our shared humanity.

Education & Credentials

Based in Guadalajara, Mexico, my background brings together decades of advanced study in human transition, ethics, and crisis support. My US-based academic, spiritual, and professional credentials include:

  • Ph.D. in Clinical Pastoral Psychology

  • Board-Certified Chaplain (BCC)

  • Licentiate of Sacred Theology (S.T.L.)

  • Master of Divinity (M.Div.) – Clinical Pastoral Focus

  • B.A. in Psychology & Human Services

  • Transformational Life Coach

  • Ordained Priest – The Old-Catholic Church

Note: These international credentials reflect my formal training and are shared for biographical context; they do not constitute a license for local clinical psychotherapy or psychology

Scope of Care & Jurisdictional Framework

The Nature of This Space My practice is anchored in a non-clinical, consultative framework. While my academic credentials sit within the rich historical lineage of pastoral counseling, this is an open, inclusive space. I welcome individuals of all faiths, philosophies, and backgrounds, including secular, agnostic, and atheist clients. My goal is to help you navigate transition, not to assign a clinical label to your experience.

Digital Boundaries Because the internet crosses borders but healthcare laws remain strictly local, please note that our digital sessions are consultative and ministerial in nature. They do not constitute the regulated practice of clinical psychology, psychotherapy, or medicine within your local jurisdiction.

Clinical Exclusions To maintain the integrity of this framework, I do not:

  • Provide official psychiatric or psychological diagnoses.

  • Issue clinical paperwork or documentation for insurance reimbursement.

  • Prescribe or manage medications.

If your journey requires formal diagnostic paperwork, crisis intervention, or medical management, I will step in as an ally to warmly refer you to trusted, English-speaking clinical specialists operating here in Mexico.

Spiritual Guidance & Inner Work:
Individual Sessions

This space is open to anyone who wants to take their inner work deeper, navigate the complexities of their current life circumstances, or discuss spiritual matters of significance to their journey.

  • Format: 50-minute sessions conducted entirely online via secure Google Meet.

  • Standard Fee: 1,000 MXN (approx. $55 USD) per session.

  • Sliding Scale: A limited number of sliding-scale spots are available based on household income, which we can discuss openly during our first chat.

Ready to find a safe place to land?

If you are ready to take the next step, let’s connect for a brief, no-pressure introduction to see if we are a good fit for each other.

Click Here to Schedule Your Free Consultation

Note: If you prefer to coordinate directly or have a quick question first, you can always message me directly.