This week we talked more about referrals in counselling.
A referral is when a client exhibits problems or presents issues that are beyond the scope of a counsellor, and the counsellor informs them of another counsellor or service that would be more appropriate for their needs. Sometimes referrals are necessary. And they are always for the good of the client.
A referral could happen for any number of reasons. It could be a client presenting a problem that is not a particular counsellor’s area of expertise, or something that a counsellor has a personal issue in discussing. If, for example, alongside ongoing counselling a client needs help with debt and managing their money, rather than try and offer their own advice, a counsellor should refer them to the appropriate professional that can offer the correct help. Likewise, if, for example, a client shows severe mental health issues the counsellor should refer them to the appropriate qualified medical professional. That is not to say that counsellors are not qualified professionals, but counsellors tend to work with individuals that are termed as the “worried well”: people that have problems and issues they want to resolve but whose mental health does not require medical intervention.
It is a counsellor’s duty to know and work within their own limitations. Referrals show self-awareness on the part of a counsellor. They show that they are responsible and ethically compliant. Referrals are not an admission of failure on the part of a counsellor. Counsellors should not see having to refer a client to another counsellor or service as a personal slight, or a negative mark against their name. Referrals are especially important in private practise, as those counsellors that go it alone will not have an organisation backing them up, and won’t necessarily have a large support network of other counsellors or mental health professionals.
There are many other organisations, charities and groups in Hampshire that offer assistance to people in need, and a lot of it is free due to it being subsidised by our government. This is a list of just some of the services available locally, and a brief outline of the services they offer.
There are numerous GP Practices in the area that deal with a whole range of health problems, and are usually the first place people go if they have health concerns about themselves.
Solent Mind offer a range of high quality services that aim to improve mental wellbeing and they also campaign to raise awareness and improve understanding of mental health.
The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) is part of a wider network of services that off help and support to children and young people who have mental health difficulties and their families/carers.
Off The Record is a free, confidential and friendly service offering information, support and counselling for young people aged 11-25.
Simon Says support children and young people that are unfortunate enough to have a significant person in their life that has died or is dying.
Citizens Advice is a service that offers free advice for a wide variety of aspects of life from housing, finance, health and employment.
Relate is a well-known provider of Relationship Counselling for individuals and couples, Family Counselling, Mediation, Children’s and Young People’s Counselling and Sex Therapy.
Relate also run a free service in the Portsmouth area called U Matter, which is especially for young people.
Portsmouth Abuse and Rape Counselling Service (PARCS) offer free counselling and support to male and female survivors of sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the violations took place.
Let’s Talk About It provides Contraceptive & Sexual Health [C&SH] and Genito-Urinary Medicine [GUM] services across Hampshire as well as Psychosexual counselling by GP referral only.
The Wheatsheaf Trust works to improve the situations of individuals and families across Hampshire by supporting them into employment, education or training.
With regards to where counselling fits into a wider supportive network it is important to understand what counselling is. Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a counsellor listening to a client and helping them find ways to deal with emotional issues. Counselling can help a person cope with mental health illnesses such as depression or anxiety, as well as difficult life events such as stress or bereavement. It can also help a person cope better with upsetting physical conditions such as infertility or cancer, as well as understanding difficult emotions such as low self-esteem or anger. The first port of call should always be a person’s GP, as they are ideally positioned to signpost a client on to more appropriate help, and a referral from a GP shows that a fully trained and practised medical professional has recognised that a person needs additional help.
