M4.3 Referral

Question 1

What is the referral?

Answer 1

Referral is usually understood as the action taken by persons within the institution who see that a particular person needs counselor assistance. In a school setting, teachers, administrators, parents, and other students may refer a specific student for counseling. This is an accepted practice, and it presumes that the counselor is seen as able and available, and that counseling services are well-prioritized within the school community.

Question 2

What is another definition of referral?

Answer 2

Referral also refers to the assistance rendered to clients or their significant others in obtaining services from other people or agencies that might be more effective in helping them. Usually, referrals are made to other people, particularly specialists, who might be in a better position to respond to the peculiar needs of the client.

Question 3

Who are external consultants?

Answer 3

1. medical-dental assistance
2. priests, pastors or nuns for spiritual-moral issues
3. developmental pediatricians or to respective associations and societies for autism, hyperactivity, dyslexia, Down syndrome or the like for children with special needs
4. lawyers who specialize in legal issues or psychologists as expert witnesses for physically and sexually abused, wrongfully accused, seeking annulment or fighting for custody
5. speech therapists/pathologists
6. hospitals with drug testing/rehabilitation facilities for substance abuser
7. HIV-AIDS Counseling
8. Marital Counseling Centers
9. Crisis Centers/Counselors
10. Psychiatrist who specialize in the treatment of behavioral abnormalities caused by organic disorders.
11. Clinical Psychologists for diagnosing and providing intervention for deep-seated psychological problems but who are not necessarily out of touch with reality.

Question 4

What are the circumstances under which referral can take place?

Answer 4

1. the counselor believes that he/she cannot be objective with the client
2. the client believes he/she cannot work with the counselor
3. non-professional relationship has developed between client and counselor
4. the needed attention/service is beyond the competency of the counselor
5. the counselor is no longer available
6. specialized attention is needed by the client

Question 5

What are ethical considerations in referral?

Answer 5

Certain conditions are required for a referral to succeed.

1. the counselor has a valid reason for deciding on a referral
2. the counselor knows the specific area of concern requiring the referral
3. the counselor is familiar with:
   o where services are available
   o what services are available
   o who renders them
   o how much the services would cost
   o the credentials of the external consultant
4. the client has agreed to the referral and its terms
5. the external consultant knows what the referral is for and has accepted the referral
6. the counselor and the client have agreed about the information that can be revealed to the external consultant
7. the counselor introduces the referred party to the external consultant
8. the counselor follows up to ensure that the referred party gets the assistance needed
9. the counselor gives feedback to and receives feedback from the external consultant regarding the progress of the client so that intervention can target what needs attention.
10. the counselor does not interfere with the work of the external consultant
11. the counselor does not charge for referral