Appropriate referral in counselling?

Question

Imagine that in your final session with a client, you provide them with information about the additional services that are relevant and available to them, should you call them to make sure that they have followed up? Why/Why not?

Answer 1

when you begin a new couselling relationship with a client you ad the client should clearly set boundaries and discuss expectations including things such as follow up after the counselling has concluded. So you should know long before the final session if this is okay with your client.
Counsellors counsel in other words you offer information and a listening ear but you are not a parent nor should you take a parental view of your duties. Your client decides what if any referrals they will follow up on.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

I think this is a great question. At the agencies I have worked for in the past, we were not allowed to contact a past client for any reason because of HIPAA violations.

Once you have had your last session, reffered them out, then the relationship is terminated. Its a difficult thing to do, but I have found that the agency you work for will assist you with this.

If you have any more questions you should look up the ethical section within your states licensing board.

Answer 3

I would think not. Part of the idea of releasing from treatment is to return the client to a degree of independency. By following up on the client, it lessons the clients independency. Remember the old cliche, the client has to want to change.

Answer 4

No thats getting to personal..once they are discharged from your care and u gave them help that should be ok..

But i also was watching true stories of the ER and this guy had this kid who had a skateboard accident..and what happen is he had fluids gathering around his brain and when the care flight they didnt have time to get him there and him live so the guy put 2 holes in his head..the 1st one because it was the wrong place for the fluid and the 2nd one because they had a cat scan and could see where to put it..but without that he would have died..the kid survived and was ok because of that choice..now say you had something like that happen to you..ya i would follow up....but since this is just counseling no..:)

Answer 5

It depends on the trust that was between the client and u! i believe if they have given u that trust to help guide them it is possible you might. But if in other words its just another client who does not have that trust with u then no for the good reasons and answers given below mine. And becaue its really up to the client to choose what they want to do.

Answer 6

My answer is no. I think after my services are done I believe its up to the client to make that next step in their lives. I personally I had to make phone calls on my own that my consulers reffered me to. It was my choice if I needed to make a better life for myself.

Answer 7

If you want to enhance their dependency traits, call them. If not, leave them alone. You can always call the agency of referral if you're curious. But if you're too curious, perhaps you are over-identifying with your clients.

Answer 8

It would be nice to show the interest and remind the person, However' some therapists think you should let them have closure with you and not contact them. If it is within a week after the last appointment I think it is fine.

Answer 9

I would think it depends upon what the counseling was for. In some cases it might be more important than others. Does it affect others?

Answer 10

No you don't once they are discharged it is up to them to follow up besides you may not be able to get that info from the referral source due to confidentiality.