The selection of a counseling organization for referral purposes is not an easy task. You should know something about the field of counseling, pray, search out who is available within a reasonable distance, talk with other colleagues, conduct interviews, and weigh the facts. For some, a referral is decided upon from word of mouth or promotional material. Sometimes it is based upon one's experience with an organization after having made one or more referrals. While these valid reasons are important and helpful, you may also want to consider the following:
(1) Speak with the person about his or her interest in being referred, along with why you are recommending this course of action, and then provide the person with information about CCCRD and refer him or her to our website If the person accepts the referral, ask him or her to contact our office with any questions or to make an appointment.
It is important to determine whether or not a counselor uses Scripture and prayer in counseling, or if their approach is just psychological. At CCCRD, we are integrationists. We believe that understanding and working with both the spiritual and human dynamics and their interactions are most helpful in being change agents for our clients. Information from the disciplines of theology, psychology, and medical science, that is consistent with Scripture, guides us in diagnosing and establishing treatment plans for our God-given clients.
(2) What type of training and expertise do counselors offer? You expect the one you refer to be as qualified or more qualified than yourself. It is appropriate to inquire about a counselor's experience and training and whether or not he or she is qualified to handle the specific problem(s) for which you are referring. The minimum professional credentials of a qualified counselor are expertise or a degree in the Bible; a master's degree in psychology, or a related field; continuing education credits through seminars; supervision of their caseload (if he or she has limited years of experience or counseling in areas beyond his or her training); considerable self-understanding; and a state license or license eligibility. The State of New Jersey grants licenses to family and marriage therapists, psychologists, social workers, and professional counselors. At CCCRD, all of our counselors are licensed or license eligible.
All CCCRD employees sign a statement of faith that, in part, says that he or she agrees to become like Jesus Christ in attitude, beliefs, and behaviors in both his or her personal and professional life. We have counselors who have from five to 22 years of experience in working with children through the elderly, with problems that include premarital, marital, family, separation, divorce, grief, depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity, various types of abuse, domestic violence, eating, addiction, obsessive-compulsive, gender, sexual dysfunction, fears, physical pain, stress management and personality.
(3) What would my working relationship be like with The Center for Christian Counseling & Relationship Development (CCCRD)? From the start, you will have direct contact with the counseling staff. You will find us to be personal, available, informative and cooperative. We realize that our referral sources want and expect different things from us. Whether you desire to refer without further contact from us or to have regular contact to discuss the details of counseling progress, we will accommodate your desires and requests. Of course, this is dependent upon a client's willingness to waive confidentiality.
During initial communications, we will discuss our mutual expectations for a relationship. If you have expertise in the counseling field, you will find us open to sharing our insights with you, as well as learning from you.
You can expect us to refer our clients for ancillary help to pastors for spiritual guidance and medical doctors for medication evaluations and management.
You can expect us to care about you and the needs of your church, school or organization. For example, we have developed programs to enhance the counseling skills of pastors through free consultation, or to establish in churches and businesses a "sense of community". We will continue to write programs that will aid in the growth and development of others, especially pastors and the local church.
We are available to meet with you and your staff to acquaint you with who we are and what we do. Please give us a call. We are at your service.
