Member Care Organizations: Key Article
How Can I Locate The Most Effective Source Of Intervention
For The Missionary Needing Help?
Christopher H. Rosik, Ph.D.
Link Care Center
This question can be broken down into two parts. First, how does one goes about identifying potential resources for the missionary? In this brief review I am going to limit the focus to counseling resources, though the some of the same principles could be applied to other resources (e.g., general physicians, psychiatrists, psychiatric hospitals). Secondly, how does one evaluate a counselor who has been identified as a potential resources for the missionary?
Identifying counseling resources for your missionaries can be a daunting task, especially when the missionaries are residing in an area where you are not familiar with any counselors. In such a situation, several sources of information may be consulted which may point in the right direction. You may first want to consult within your own organization to learn if others are aware of counselors in the missionary's vicinity. Beyond this, several Christian counseling organizations do have membership directories that can serve as referral sources. These directories include Focus on the Family's Pastoral Care Directory (USA resources), Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) Directory USA and International resources (you can order a copy by calling
(830) 629-2277), and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC) Directory (USA and International resources).
Keep in mind that membership in a Christian counseling organization does not always insure good psychological and spiritual care or theological orthodoxy. If you do not know the resource listed, you will need to gather more information before making a referral. A final suggestion is to contact a church or churches in the vicinity of the missionary and inquire (even anonymously) of someone on pastoral staff to whom they refer for psychological help. If you find that a counselor's name is coming up in more than one of these contexts, that can be a very good sign.
Once you have located a counselor, unless you already are familiar with him or her, you will want to gather more specific information or encourage the missionary to do so. Choosing a counselor should be viewed as no different than choosing any other service provider--you have a right and responsibility to obtain information in order to decide if you want to utilize this person. Most counselors will answer a reasonable amount of questions by phone for no fee. Some request a face-to-face session. Several questions for prospective counselors that are of particular relevance to this discernment process are presented below.
1. What are your credentials and training?
2. What are your areas of expertise and specialization?
3. What specific training do you have in your areas of specialization?
4. Are you on the provider list for my insurance plan?
5. What is your standard fee?
6. How long are your sessions?
7. How many clients have you worked with who have had similar issues (i.e., to the ones your missionaries or clergy have)?
8. How do you work with these issues in counseling?
9. Are you in good standing with your licensing board? Has any one ever made a complaint against you? If so, how was it resolved? (You can contact the licensing board of the state in which the counselor practices to determine if any disciplinary action has ever been taken against him or her).
10. How long have you been in practice?
11. What are your beliefs about how counseling should work? What do you do during sessions and what do you expect from a client during and between sessions?
12. How long have you been a Christian? Are you a member of and active in any church fellowship?
13. How does your Christian world view shape what you do in counseling?
14. How can I contact you in an emergency?
Once you have obtained information along these lines, you and your missionary will be in an informed position to decide where to pursue counseling. May the Lord grant you wisdom as you care for the sheep entrusted to your watch!
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