I wrote a companion post to this one on Church and Mental Health on how Christian counselors need to look for ways they can be supporting pastors. The hope is between that post and this one, we can begin to align the goals of the Church with mental health, as well as supporting faith within counseling. So as we look at 5 ways pastors can support counselors, let us keep the clients, congregation members, and communities in mind, because ultimately we want to serve them more.
Why is it important for pastors to support counselors? We can bring in the significant statistic that 25 percent of people go first to a member of the clergy for a mental health need. This is a higher percentage than those who have gone to psychiatrists, general medical doctors, or anyone else. Yet many pastors have not taken classes or received training on mental health, and only use what basic knowledge they have. Pastors need support from professional counselors. If this relationship is strengthened, you will better support your community in the long run.
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So if pastors are ready to support counselors, what is it they need to do?
Support the individual/family in the counseling session. While you may not be formally present with the individual, ask the person who is going to counseling when the next session is and pray for them during that time. Offer a word of encouragement beforehand and send them a Bible verse that is encouraging. Also pray for wisdom for the counselor who will be helping interpret, guide, and assist the person who is in the counseling session. Pray for healing as you would any illness. And pray for God's will to be done.
If you do actually get to be part of the counseling session, allow the counselor to lead and be there for the individual. If you have philosophical issues with something the counselor says, leave it for a time when you can talk to the counselor when you are not on the clock. Remember the individual is paying by the hour.
See how you can support the individual/family outside of the counseling session. This kind of support is more broad, and can easily be endless. Boundaries are important for those who give of their time and money. Besides, we want to build people up be independent and not enabled.
People who go to counseling may need help with respite while they work individually on their mental health symptoms. Help provide or find childcare for those who may need it or transportation for those who may not have it. These simple acts can be the difference between a client attending therapy sessions or not.
Start up a Christian mental health group at your church. There are several peer support and psychoeducational groups that are Biblically-based. Several support groups are listed here. This creates a place for the Church to be a witness and light in the world of mental illness.
Talk with the counselor. The discussions in counseling sessions are considered privileged information. In order to not break HIPAA law, all licensed counselors need a release of information to talk to you about their client. Offer individuals or families that you are willing to talk with the counselor to provide additional support. If the individual is willing to sign a release, talk with the counselor about how you can be part of their treatment plan. This may mean something as simple as checking in with them informally every Sunday after church, or may go so far as to help the individual with coping skills, and finding resources.
Offer space in the church to the counselor. Every church culture is different, so your church may not be open to having a counselor on site. Supporting mental health may start by getting some Church Mental Health Awareness Cards to educate your congregation members. Collect referral sheets and brochures for the local counseling center and give them a short pitch every Sunday in May for Mental Health month. Your church could also create an event for local counselors, or provide space for counseling services in the church building during work hours to do counseling. And ask counselors for their ideas—and share their ideas in the comments.
What other ways do you see that the church could be a support for Christian counselors?
Jeremy Smith is a clinical mental health counselor in Ohio and founder of www.churchandmentalhealth.com.
