Pastor’s Corner: When should you refer to a professional counselor?
Pastors often play a crucial role in providing emotional and spiritual support to their congregation. When a church member is in crisis, calling their pastor may be the first thing they think to do. Because of this, pastors often are the “first on the scene” in any mental health or relational crisis. At times, pastors are very well equipped to provide triage mental health care and stabilization, but not all pastors have been trained in providing this kind of emergency care. Also, pastors wear many hats in their congregation and have a diverse array of responsibilities, only one of which is providing pastoral counseling. Pastors may be well-trained to provide these kinds of services, but their schedule does not allow for the kinds of consistent counseling services their members need. There are several factors to consider when deciding whether to provide pastoral counseling to a member or choosing to refer out. Here are some questions to help pastors discern when referring out may be the most appropriate choice:
They have a serious mental health issue. If an individual is dealing with severe depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or any other serious mental health condition, it is essential to refer them to a licensed mental health professional or counselor. Pastors should absolutely be trained to respond to a suicidal congregant by connecting them with emergency mental health care, but pastors are not equipped to do the follow up counseling that this type of situation requires and it is most appropriate to refer out to a professional therapist in these situations.
They are experiencing abuse or have a history of trauma. Individuals who have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or any form of trauma, should be referred to counselors specializing in therapy for trauma or abuse. Professional counselors who offer therapy for victims of trauma have had years of specialized training in order to offer care that is effective in bringing relief and healing to these situations.
They have a history of addiction issues. If someone is struggling with substance abuse or any form of addiction, they should be referred to addiction counselors or therapists. These professionals can provide specialized treatment and support for individuals dealing with addiction.
They have serious marital or family issues. When couples are facing marital problems or families are dealing with conflicts that are beyond the scope of pastoral counseling, it is advisable to refer them to marriage and family therapists. These professionals are trained to work with couples and families to address relationship issues. Pastors can offer supportive care to a couple in distress, but as a rule of thumb, if their presenting concerns cannot be resolved in a one hour appointment with you, it is wise to refer them to a professional therapist.
They have experienced grief or loss. Individuals experiencing profound grief and loss, such as after the death of a loved one, should be referred to grief counselors or therapists. Grief over the loss of a loved one is not something that can be resolved in a meeting or two–grief is a long process and a professional therapist is best able to meet this long term need and help individuals navigate the complex emotions associated with loss.
They have a chronic mental health diagnosis. Individuals dealing with chronic mental health conditions such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder require specialized care from mental health professionals. Pastors can support these individuals by helping them connect with appropriate mental health services, but this would not be an appropriate way for a pastor to utilize their pastoral counseling resources.
If there are ethical or legal concerns. If a situation arises where there are ethical or legal concerns (such as suspected child abuse or domestic violence), it is crucial to involve appropriate authorities and professionals who are trained to handle these situations, such as counselors specializing in trauma or social workers.
In all these cases, pastors should approach the situation with sensitivity and empathy. It's important to communicate to the individual that seeking help from a professional counselor or therapist is a positive and proactive step toward healing and well-being. Additionally, pastors can continue to offer spiritual support and encouragement alongside professional counseling, reinforcing the idea of a holistic approach to well-being. Also, as a pastor it is wise to connect with some mental health professionals in the community that you trust–these people can be a helpful resource for you as you navigate complex issues with your congregation. If you are a pastor and are struggling to understand when it is best to refer out, please reach out to us! We are happy to help navigate this complicated issue along side you.
