I started my Clinical Counseling Master's Program. I have a question for any Catholic Counselors out there

[Thorolfr]

On the issue of psychologists, I haven’t always been able to have one who is also gay. I was referred to a clinical psychologist to be evaluated for ADHD a while back and as it turned out, she was a former Catholic nun. In addition to talking to me for about three months and reviewing teacher comments on old report cards to establish that the symptoms of ADHD had been present since childhood, she also interviewed my same-sex partner to understand how the ADHD was impacting my personal home life and my relationships. I was a little uncomfortable about this, but I never got any impression from her that she disapproved of me for being gay. She diagnosed me with ADHD and referred me to a psychiatrist for ADHD medication.

 

[1ke]

Contact the National Catholic Bioethics Center for guidance.

Also join a Catholic counselor/psychologist professional organization and get educated on the laws where you live and your rights through them.

 

[Jerzy]

This is great to hear! I’m glad you were able to find someone that was a good match for you! Regardless of someone’s demographic, it can be very hard to find a good fit, which is awful, because it’s vital to a successful outcome.

 

[Horton]

However, the issues being raised here are more complex than a layperson with no training might imagine

Exactly! therapists do have some control over the clients they see. If a therapist were to have a client come in asking for therapy for something that went against the therapist’s conscience, he/she is well within their rights to refer them to another clinician.

I was a counselor in my previous career, however I had an area of expertise. I would never take on a client that was outside that area, I would refer them to someone else.

There are all sorts of complexities to this issue.

 

[0Scarlett_nidiyilii]

And would greatly narrow one’s job prospects. Heck, in my opinion, don’t buy an expensive degree if you are not going to be able to work in that field.

See, and that’s okay, if a person chooses to do that, and they’re aware going in

If a person wants to get into a profession in order to serve a particular specialty, they should be able to do so.

Well, the same issue comes up with MD training, where the students may be pressured into promoting or even performing abortion, despite their personal objections.

The problem here is getting through the training so they can even obtain their license.

These are the types of questions a potential student needs to ask the college before they pay out any money to them.

 

[blackforest]

Catholic counseling is certainly a great sub-specialty, assuming the region where the therapist practices has the population. And yes, it may (or may not) be in the OP’s best interest to look into this option. I have a relative who regularly saw a therapist who rented office space from the local Catholic parish. The business was booming with referrals from priests and laity alike.

Yet for the OP’s sake, I’ll add that even a Catholic therapist counseling a Catholic client can pose some issues. (If you don’t believe that Catholics can disagree with each other, look no further than CAF itself!) The point of therapy is that goals that are set and any changes that occur are client-driven, not therapist-driven. It is unprofessional and unethical for a therapist to enter into any counseling relationship with their own agenda.

In clinical social work, I’ve worked with clients of all stripes, many of whom hold beliefs and practices that go against my faith. The more you can step out of your comfort zone, the more you can learn from clients.

 

[Thorolfr]

That goals should be client driven can be a problem for some clients. Sometimes, people who are dealing with difficult and overwhelming situations are hoping that someone is going to tell them what they should do. Instead, they’re probably more likely to get the proverbial, “How does that make you feel?” after spilling their guts to their therapist.

 

[Bithynian]

someone is going to tell them what they should do. … more likely to get the proverbial, “How does that make you feel?”

Yes, this is a prickly problem.

We have a 24/7 suicide hotline in Australia, and many, many years ago, I volunteered on their overnight shifts, taking calls from people who were teetering over the edge.

Some people let loose the entirety of their life’s tragedy in a 5 minute call and wanted a simple, pre-packaged answer that could be proffered over the phone, and that simply wasn’t possible.

At the same time, it was a sober reminder that quaint questions (“how does that make you feel?”) and cheap platitudes ("it’ll get better!) are never the answer for complex life challenges.

I feel that a good counsellor would be able to identify a salient point in the client’s narrative that could serve as a point for further exploration. I usually pay close attention to: (1) a positive mention of a friend or family member who could be rallied for further support; (2) a previous interaction with a mental health professional that may have yielded fruit in terms of self-care; (3) specific examples of resilience and endurance enacted by the client’s own resources.

 

[blackforest]

There’s a time and place for that whole how-does-that-make-you-feel bit; indeed, it can be useful for people who are suppressing or otherwise out of touch with their own needs and feelings. But I agree with you and @Bithynian that there are inappropriate times to use it.

Ideally, a good therapist will assist the client in identifying goals and brainstorm with the client on how best to get there. The process can be short or take years, depending on the challenge and diagnosis.