I’ve spent some time visiting with psychologists and counselors. In general, I think we pay counselors for two things: to be a friend so we don’t feel lonely, and to be a listening ear. If you want to be a counselor, that’s really all you have know.
I know…what I just said is an oversimplification and an insult to all psychologists and counselors. It’s like telling a pastor he only works on Sunday. Psychologists and counselors have to do more than be a friend and a listening ear. They also have to give advice.
So if you want to counsel someone and never know what to say, here is some advice that fits nearly every situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYLMTvxOaeE
I love the video clip. It’s probably very close to my counseling style.
I love that video… sounds like one of my counseling sessions… though you have to say it multiple different ways. A counselor’s best friend is a thesaurus :).
Josh,
Do you provide counseling at your church? I have never been real good at counseling. I always tell them I can listen, but I can rarely provide solutions.
Only for those that regularly attend the church…. generally, I am in the same boat but most people are mostly looking for a listener anyway.
I do have people walk in off the street, generally wanting me to snap my fingers, pick up my red phone to God and reverse the divorce filing their spouse made yesterday (I’m not kidding). I pray with them, but it’s kind of like shutting the barn door after the horse is already gone in most cases…
I like the picture of the barn and the horses. When I do counseling, that seems to be the only kind of issues I get.