Description
618: Improving Client Outcomes: Collaboration Between Counselor, Church, and Focused Support Groups
Brent Van Elswyk, D.Min.
RiverLakes Community Church
4301 Calloway Dr.
Bakersfield, CA 93312
Nancy Keller, M.S.
Mike Sampley and Associates
2025 Westwind Dr., Ste. A
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Wendy Mahill, B.S.
RiverLakes Community Church
4301 Calloway Dr.
Bakersfield, CA 93312
Summary
Whether professional clinician, pastoral or lay counselor, we all desire improved treatment outcomes for hurting people. In the same way that physical healthcare has become more specialized in recent years, so has mental healthcare, resulting in a growing number of options. The number of people suffering from sexual trauma/abuse, sexual addiction, eating disorders, marital strife, dysfunctional relationships, divorce, grief, etc. is significant and growing, yet many Christians are unsure where to go for help. Should they go to their church, a clinician, a support group? Why not all three? (Farrell & Goebert, 2008; Breuninger, Dolan, Padilla & Stanford, 2014; Sullivan, Pyne, Cheney, Hunt, Haynes & Sullivan, 2017). What might impact treatment outcomes if there was an increased, intentional collaboration between the clinician, pastoral counselor, and leaders of focused support groups (Prov. 11:14)?
Learning Objectives
Participants will:
• Discuss the benefits and obstacles to helping those suffering from mental health and trauma issues through an increased, intentional collaboration between licensed mental health professionals, pastoral counselors, and focused support group leaders
• Identify and explore specific strategies for increased collaboration and networking between focused support groups, therapy groups, licensed mental health professionals, and the Church to enhance treatment outcomes for your clients
• Demonstrate various treatment outcomes that can occur with well-orchestrated collaboration
