OK So..what is a "Parish Psychologist"?

[Teelynn]

Hope I am in the right place for this. If not, they will move me.

I have seen the term “Parish Psychologist” pop up in a couple of different places. Something that seems some parishes are adding to their staff. Anyone know anything about what purpose they serve…what function do they have, etc? Wonder if they are similar to a “Parish Nurse”? Doesn’t seem as if they would have the same function but maybe similar? Any information would help to solve the mystery. (at least in my mind)

Better yet, anyone have one of these serving in their parish? Curiosity’s got the best of me. Thanks for any info!

 

[puzzleannie]

Hope I am in the right place for this. If not, they will move me.

I have seen the term “Parish Psychologist” pop up in a couple of different places. Something that seems some parishes are adding to their staff. Anyone know anything about what purpose they serve…what function do they have, etc? Wonder if they are similar to a “Parish Nurse”? Doesn’t seem as if they would have the same function but maybe similar? Any information would help to solve the mystery. (at least in my mind)

Better yet, anyone have one of these serving in their parish? Curiosity’s got the best of me. Thanks for any info!

here it means a retired psychologist (actually two of them) who graciously donate their services and are essentially on call when a troubled parishioner or visitor calls the office or member of the pastoral staff and asks for help which is beyond our competence. Most recently, this was a parent concerned about a troubled teen. Pastor addressed the pastoral issues, and the psychologist will help family work on other issues. They also know all the practioners and agencies in the region better than we can, and make referrals for long term care if warranted.

Parish nurse we don’t have one, but social concerns is looking into it. In former parish it was again RNs (a team) volunteering time to come periodically and offer blood pressure checks and similar services, screenings and testings, as they are permitted by law, visiting the sick and arranging home health care and other services for the homebound, things like that. We also had a nurse on duty on RE nights in that parish for the benefit of children on medication, with asthma, with disabilities etc.

all of these people were/are volunteers, but the parish provides financial support in terms of space, supplies, resources, overhead etc.

 

[Teelynn]

Thanks Puzzleannie! Now it is making more sense to me.