Adam McLane

Tribes of Youth Workers I Want to Learn From: Counselors & Therapists

I know enough to know when I need to refer.

That’s my standard line when dealing with psychological issues in youth ministry. As simple as that sounds it’s probably a line that has served me well over the years. I am quick to listen, assess, and refer when something is beyond my reach.

My desire to do no harm leads me to a referral.

Over the years I’ve gotten to know several therapists, counselors, and guidance counselors who consider their life’s work a ministry. They pour into teenagers and every day their client schedule is packed with adolescents. (And parents of adolescents.)

These are absolutely youth workers.

We couldn’t do what we do without highly trained professionals. But we, the tribe of church-based youth workers, aren’t very good at learning/listening/involving/engaging with this tribe.

One hope I have for the Open movement is that we can create space for these folks, that we learn from them, and that we consider them colleagues in youth ministry the same way we do the youth worker across the street or the YoungLife couple who works at the same schools we do.

Question for youth workers: What is your relationship like with the counseling community in your area?

Question for counselors, therapists, and guidance counselors: How can we engage with you better? What’s a practical way we can provide space for conversations which will generate synergy between our ministries?

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8 responses to “Tribes of Youth Workers I Want to Learn From: Counselors & Therapists”

  1. Sleestac8028 Avatar
    Sleestac8028

    I get to know several counselors in the area as soon as possible. For me, it’s best to actually take them to lunch (many are very willing) and ask about scenarios. They can help me with problems in the group and give me some help in knowing when to refer.

    Most really good counselors specialize so I have several. One is really good at just adolescent problems. Another is great at self-harm and substance abuse. It’s always better for me to find people I trust to recommend a teenager or parent to.

    Referral is absolutely essential for me to help in the best way possible. I have a soft rule of referring after three sessions on the same issue. It’s a soft rule because sometimes I refer earlier if I see it’s needed.

    Reply
    1. Adam McLane Avatar
      Adam McLane

      @Sleestac8028:disqus You rock. Seriously. This is fantastic.

      Reply
  2. Nate Rice Avatar
    Nate Rice

    Knowing and utilizing professional counselors in the area is a must for me. Though early on I in ministry, I didn’t see the value of “sending” hurting kids in the youth group I directing to a therapist simply because I believed that it was my job exclusively to “counsel” these kids. Over time I learned to give up that pride and seek out professionals that I could partner with. In general though, I would say that a majority of the youth pastors that I interact with would practice “professional therapy as a last resort”.

    As a side note, I encourage youth pastors themselves to visit a therapist. One of the best decisions I made.

    Reply
  3. Jan Horak Avatar
    Jan Horak

    I agree we need to network better with counselors in our communities … now having said that … that is a challenge for me as I live in an american military community overseas. There are very limited resources available. When a student in our community has a problem that may need longer, professional care they are sent to a national (German) psych ward about an hour away. In the past some cases have been referred to an institute in England away from family, friends and church leader support. I have friends who work in the system and in our community the primary goal is the welfare of the soldier. In peak crises times, they then have to close some facilities that may be available for family members in order to focus on the mission. If local resources cannot help a student, they are sent to the states to live with other family members or sent to a facility that may be able to help them. Out of fear of those consequences many families try to ‘hide’ problems and refuse to seek help, ultimately causing more damage or they rely on the handful of youth ministers here to help in ways we are not trained nor equipped to help.

    I have had some very good encounters with local counselors and have sat in on some sessions with students. I also now have a shelf full of books recommended to me by said counselor who asked me to meet with a student as the counselor wanted to take on the mother and help her and use the connection I already had established with a specific student. This specific counselor raised my level of respect as I have seen her meeting with students after hours in the local food court. .. the sad thing about our community though is that in about a 3-4 year time period most every one moves on and connections need to be rebuilt. So currently I do not have a clue where to direct students.

    Reply
    1. Adam McLane Avatar
      Adam McLane

      @google-5bd92097649f3abcbe2602214276aab5:disqus Thanks so much for your comment. I lived in Germany in high school on a military base, so I totally get where you are coming from. That’s definitely a unique problem. (I actually thought you were going to say they sent students home to the States for treatment.)

      This is only related in my mind… but we’re doing an event in Paris this October that’ll have youth workers from all sorts of backgrounds in Western Europe, it might be a great place to meet some German youth workers who could possibly unlock a secret code to therapists that’d be more comfortable for you to refer to. Here’s the link: http://paris.openym.org

      Reply
  4. Adam McLane Avatar
    Adam McLane

    Thanks @twitter-19011712:disqus. That’s really great advice. To really see one another as co-workers we’re both going to need to cross some boundaries. I love the idea of youth workers getting involved in local groups where networking will happen. I think a bias church-based folks have is that they think they’ll be the only person who considers their work “ministry.” What’s so powerful is that they’ll bump into lots and lots of people who treat adolescents in the same boat.

    Reply
  5. Rhett Smith Avatar
    Rhett Smith

    Great post Adam. Since I’m a therapist now, but former youth and college pastor — I work really hard to get to know and connect with youth workers in the area. They are a valuable resource to me in helping understand what is going on with youth. I only see a client 1 hour a week…so when I sit down and spend time with youth workers they really help me identify issues and trends in youth culture, which can help me begin to study up on a topic. I love working with youth workers…and not just because they refer….but because I know we both care about kids. And that’s what is important.

    Reply
  6. Mcmahon Stephanie Avatar
    Mcmahon Stephanie

    The connection between your ministry and ours, as counselors, is oneness in objective, to help those in need of our knowledge, time, understanding, hope, and guidance. Having teen groups meet with licensed therapists, or counselors for group sessions, for support, education, or psychotherapy. These groups can learn about resilience, peer support groups, spiritual guidance, resources, educational, or career/vocations. there are many avenues you can choose, that will assist your ministry group. Learning from the licensed counselors, even in group sessions, to help form support groups within your different communities, could also be effective. You are a resource for spiritual guidance, and by assisting them in other avenues of life, you are also mentoring, and coaching these teens with your values, beliefs, and behaviors, that are reflective of your spiritual backing, and help guide with overall examples in other forums of life, outside of the church.

    Reply

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