Dr LeCrone
03-24-2006, 03:00 PM
You have reached a point in your life when you realize you need professional counseling. Like millions of people in today’s complex and stressful society, seeking help outside of family and friends is crucial to your wellbeing.
Although there is still some stigma about seeking outside help, the general public is accepting the help of the professional counselor.
After the realization, the how and where to begin is the next step.
In general, the four groups that are qualified to help individuals with problems are the clergy, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers with specialized training in counseling skills.
All 50 states now have laws regulating to some degree the individual who offers his services to the public as a professional counselor. Most of these states require licenses.
• Clergy. Ministers are always willing to listen and are a good resource for advice in the selecting process. Those who have had training in pastoral counseling may consent to work with members of their congregation; others may refer to other professional counselors. Clergymen have a large number of roles to meet in the church and may not have adequate time to spend in counseling individuals and families. The ministerial alliance in your area can provide a list of ministers with pastoral counseling training.
• Psychologists. The psychologist has long been active in helping individuals and families understand and solve problems, and should also be considered as a resource when the need arises. If you don’t know a psychologist, you may need to ask your physician for a referral, or you may consult the psychology department at a nearby college or university for a list of local psychologists.
• Psychiatrists. Physicians with specialized training in psychiatry serve as an important resource for individuals needing counseling. Your family physician can make a referral if you do not know a psychiatrist, or the local medical association will assist you.
• Social workers. Many communities have social services and counseling agencies that provide a broad spectrum of counseling services for individuals, couples, children and families. Yellow pages in phone books list these. School counselors are often helpful in working with children and families, and in making referrals to proper agencies.
You may want to investigate or talk with one or all of these groups, but after you have decided on a counselor there are other points to consider before making the final selection.
• Be specific. In choosing a counselor, look for one who can meet the specific requirements of your problem. Keeping up with all the changes in the scientific and medical community requires a great deal of time and effort. In most cases, a professional counselor becomes a specialist in one area of counseling, such as marriage and family, childhood or school problems, chemical dependency and substance abuse, or stress management.
• Finally, there is the cost factor. Many insurance companies pay for the services of a professional licensed counselor. Do not hesitate to ask the counselor or staff about the estimated length of treatment and the cost.
Next week we will continue our discussion of counselor selection, and look at the techniques and approaches which may be used.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984
Although there is still some stigma about seeking outside help, the general public is accepting the help of the professional counselor.
After the realization, the how and where to begin is the next step.
In general, the four groups that are qualified to help individuals with problems are the clergy, psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers with specialized training in counseling skills.
All 50 states now have laws regulating to some degree the individual who offers his services to the public as a professional counselor. Most of these states require licenses.
• Clergy. Ministers are always willing to listen and are a good resource for advice in the selecting process. Those who have had training in pastoral counseling may consent to work with members of their congregation; others may refer to other professional counselors. Clergymen have a large number of roles to meet in the church and may not have adequate time to spend in counseling individuals and families. The ministerial alliance in your area can provide a list of ministers with pastoral counseling training.
• Psychologists. The psychologist has long been active in helping individuals and families understand and solve problems, and should also be considered as a resource when the need arises. If you don’t know a psychologist, you may need to ask your physician for a referral, or you may consult the psychology department at a nearby college or university for a list of local psychologists.
• Psychiatrists. Physicians with specialized training in psychiatry serve as an important resource for individuals needing counseling. Your family physician can make a referral if you do not know a psychiatrist, or the local medical association will assist you.
• Social workers. Many communities have social services and counseling agencies that provide a broad spectrum of counseling services for individuals, couples, children and families. Yellow pages in phone books list these. School counselors are often helpful in working with children and families, and in making referrals to proper agencies.
You may want to investigate or talk with one or all of these groups, but after you have decided on a counselor there are other points to consider before making the final selection.
• Be specific. In choosing a counselor, look for one who can meet the specific requirements of your problem. Keeping up with all the changes in the scientific and medical community requires a great deal of time and effort. In most cases, a professional counselor becomes a specialist in one area of counseling, such as marriage and family, childhood or school problems, chemical dependency and substance abuse, or stress management.
• Finally, there is the cost factor. Many insurance companies pay for the services of a professional licensed counselor. Do not hesitate to ask the counselor or staff about the estimated length of treatment and the cost.
Next week we will continue our discussion of counselor selection, and look at the techniques and approaches which may be used.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1984