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WEEK 5
Resources and Referrals “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be . . . not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:2-3).
After listening carefully to help the person feel understood and to discern the heart of the problem, our role is then to refer the person to the counselor, group, or agency that can provide specific, professional care for as long as it’s needed. In this chapter we’ll examine the most common problems we encounter, how to find good resources, and how to make the referral. In addition, we’ll look at the importance of setting and maintaining good boundaries.
WHEN AND HOW TO REFER The short-term model encourages referral to a professional counselor, agency, or another resource as soon as you have listened, provided emotional support, and discerned the actual nature of the need. A referral can be made after the first meeting if you have enough information and the person needs immediate help, after the second if you clearly discern the problem by then, and in the third meeting as a general rule. If you meet with someone, who, after a meeting or two, wants to bring a spouse or child to the next
