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MAKING THE GOOD REFERRAL
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G
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First, Give compliments for how well the family handles most life tasks.
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O
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Then, Obtain the family’s view of the current problem.
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O
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Offer a very positive picture of the therapy, e.g., "You’ll receive help from a program that has helped others I have sent for therapy."
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D
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Discuss the plan for our therapist to call the client, or for the client to call us to set up the appointment.
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GENERAL POINTS
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R
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Remind the person of your reasons for making the referral.
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E
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Empathize with any difficulties produced by the problem and with any fears about getting help. |
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F
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Feel out the person’s views of treatment. |
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E
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Elicit any objections to coming in. |
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R
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Revise any misconceptions. |
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R
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Refer early, as soon as problems are identified, before they become chronic problems, and use this as a supporting rationale for the referral. This is so crucially important. |
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A
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Avoid minimizing, such as “It’s all your nerves,” “Don’t worry.” Indeed, let the client know the problem is a serious concern. |
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L
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List successful outcomes to expect: e.g., you will get a thorough assessment, you will have improved coping skills, you will have a better quality of life, therapy builds self-esteem, therapy lowers stress, therapy reduces conflict, in order to have medications you have to have counseling, this clinic has helped others I have referred. |
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S
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See the process through: follow up with the family. |
