Our Pastor is willing to counsel DS

[Rhonda96]

DH and I spoke with him yesterday after church. We explained that DS's present counselor wants DS on medication and that DS does very against it. Pastor said that he feels that so often mental health professionals "pull out that because they know nothing else to try. That it is their only tool at times." I knew it was of the belief that medication may not help .
I also told the pastor that I had an appointment for DS with the assoications counselor. I mentioned him by name. Our Pastor seems to have some confidence in him and told me that working with the other pastor/counselor would have its merits.

So we will see how DS responds to our Pastor . He has a lot of respect and admiration for our Pastor. So we begin on Wednesday . Please be praying as we seek further counsel.

[4littlelambs]

DH and I spoke with him yesterday after church. We explained that DS's present counselor wants DS on medication and that DS does very against it. Pastor said that he feels that so often mental health professionals "pull out that because they know nothing else to try. That it is their only tool at times." I knew it was of the belief that medication may not help .
I also told the pastor that I had an appointment for DS with the assoications counselor. I mentioned him by name. Our Pastor seems to have some confidence in him and told me that working with the other pastor/counselor would have its merits.

So we will see how DS responds to our Pastor . He has a lot of respect and admiration for our Pastor. So we begin on Wednesday . Please be praying as we seek further counsel.

Just a thought... take it with a grain of salt because I don't even know if it's possible but...

why do you have to call it counseling?? how old/how friendly/how likely would it be for your pastor to just call your son and ask him for help doing something? A chore? Build something? Rake somewhere? Or even ask for help learning a new video game if that's what your son is into?

That way... it wouldn't have to be a counseling situation like your son is used to (and somewhat opposed to), but it could be a friendly meeting where someone NEEDS your son for something. They could hang out, chat... he could bring things up as needed but it wouldn't have to be from across a desk?

Again, it would probably take time and I'm not sure if your pastor has time every week or every couple of days... but think of what that would mean to your son??? He would feel needed... and probably open up more easily?

[Rhonda96]

Just a thought... take it with a grain of salt because I don't even know if it's possible but...

why do you have to call it counseling?? how old/how friendly/how likely would it be for your pastor to just call your son and ask him for help doing something? A chore? Build something? Rake somewhere? Or even ask for help learning a new video game if that's what your son is into?

That way... it wouldn't have to be a counseling situation like your son is used to (and somewhat opposed to), but it could be a friendly meeting where someone NEEDS your son for something. They could hang out, chat... he could bring things up as needed but it wouldn't have to be from across a desk?

Again, it would probably take time and I'm not sure if your pastor has time every week or every couple of days... but think of what that would mean to your son??? He would feel needed... and probably open up more easily?

I have thought of that idea before. DS is so negative about what I would call "getting help" because he feels as if people are telling him something is wrong with him and he resents that. Counseling and the call for needing medication are two things that DS takes issue with. He has such a stigma with special classes and anything that points him being less then "normal".
Susan, I know what you are saying about presenting the session in a different way. DS has been fairly open in counseling sessions once he gets used to the counselor. He has been to counseling a majority of his life. I am praying that our Pastor is able to reach him by using scripture. Our pastor is very down to earth . I know that DS will be open with him and perhaps he will be able to tell us if there are any changes we need to make by way of how we parent DS. As for the resentment for counseling I think DS knows he struggles socially. He does not like admitting it or any other behaviors that cause problems in his life. My son has a huge amount of negative thinking in his life. I pray that with our Pastors help he can see that while there are negative things around us all we as Christians can choose to believe that the Lord is protecting us and guiding us.

[joy at home]

:hug: praying for a divine connection!

[4littlelambs]

I have thought of that idea before. DS is so negative about what I would call "getting help" because he feels as if people are telling him something is wrong with him and he resents that. Counseling and the call for needing medication are two things that DS takes issue with. He has such a stigma with special classes and anything that points him being less then "normal".
Susan, I know what you are saying about presenting the session in a different way. DS has been fairly open in counseling sessions once he gets used to the counselor. He has been to counseling a majority of his life. I am praying that our Pastor is able to reach him by using scripture. Our pastor is very down to earth . I know that DS will be open with him and perhaps he will be able to tell us if there are any changes we need to make by way of how we parent DS. As for the resentment for counseling I think DS knows he struggles socially. He does not like admitting it or any other behaviors that cause problems in his life. My son has a huge amount of negative thinking in his life. I pray that with our Pastors help he can see that while there are negative things around us all we as Christians can choose to believe that the Lord is protecting us and guiding us.

You're an awesome mom! Just thought you should know.

:bighug:

Can't wait to see how God works thru him speaking w/your pastor.