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STEP 4: REFERRING FOR
ASSISTANCE
I. SELECT APPROPRIATE INTERVENTIONS
There are several sources
for caregivers to seek additional assistance. They are: consult with
clergy, refer to a support group; consult with professionals; and refer to
a professional. Those helping should prayerfully select the appropriate
combination of interventions.
Consult with clergy. When the
caregiver is not clergy, the caregiver should refer the individual to
clergy for assistance to direct the individual in the repentance process.
Maintain strict confidentiality. When clergy are involved in
helping the individual, they should consider consulting with supervisory
clergy about successful practices in dealing with same gender desires and
actions.
Refer to a
support group. Refer the individual to an available support group listed in the table
Community Support Groups located on page 14. Maintain contact with
the individual and the family even when the individual is attending a
support group.
Consult with professionals. Carefully seek a licensed professional who has the
same religious values and basic spiritual beliefs when the decision has
been made that professional consultation or counseling is desirable. To
locate this type of therapist ask those being considered how they feel
about pornography, the importance of fidelity in marriage, masturbation
and homosexuality. There are many types of professionals, including:
psychiatrists, professional counselors, psychologists, social workers,
psychiatric nurses and pastoral counselors. Most states regulate the
practice of therapy. Sometimes therapy for transitioning from
homosexuality is referred to as “reparative therapy.” Everyone who
provides a mental health service should be licensed. The table entitled
“Professional Resources” is a guide to locate a helping professional.
Refer to a professional.
Refer to the best available therapist when the individual needs or seeks
assistance beyond what the caregiver is qualified to give. Maintain
contact with the individual and the family even when professional services
are used. Make sure the professional providing the therapy has values
consistent with church doctrine. When the individual’s problem is made
worse by a mental illness or some other serious condition, referring to
carefully selected professionals is recommended.
II. DECREASING
INVOLVEMENT
Individuals are not always motivated to change and may
require more time or unwanted consequences to develop motivation. Those
helping may need to decrease their involvement because of the individual’s
lack of effort. Inform the individual, the family and the clergy that the
caregiver’s involvement will decrease.
III.
ENCOURAGE INCREASED INVOLVEMENT WITH SUPPORT RESOURCES
Direct the individual and
the family to rely on members of their family and community support groups
and other outside resources such as professionals. Encourage the
individual and the family to make contact with the caregiver as motivation
to work on the growth plan increases. After your involvement has
decreased, continue periodic contact offering to help when they
demonstrate readiness to change.
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