 MAY/SUMMER 2003 (XXXXI 3) |
Do you know about the Friends Counseling Service? Have you wanted to talk with a therapist who shares your spiritual community? Experienced mental health professionals who are active members of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting are available to provide services to members and attenders of Monthly Meetings.
The Friends Counseling Service is composed of 17 experienced, professionally-trained counselors who are geographically dispersed throughout the yearly meeting area. All counselors are active Friends whose spiritual lives are integral to their approach to counseling. Confidential services are provided to individuals, couples, and families, with fees based on the client's ability to pay. Service is never denied because of a person's lack of means.
In choosing a counselor, several factors should be considered. Most important, the person seeking counseling should feel that there is a basis for a good working relationship. Geographical location, areas of interest or experience, or other factors may also help determine the choice. We encourage asking the potential counselor for any information which would be useful in making a decision. Counselors are open to this process.
Psychiatrists needed
The Counseling Service is looking for more Quaker psychiatrists to serve as psychiatric consultants for FCS clients. This might also include being a counselor in the Service, but that is not necessary. Currently, Lindley Winston in West Chester is the only psychiatrist in the FCS to whom other counselors can refer clients needing medication or some other psychiatric evaluation. We hope to find psychiatrists elsewhere who would be willing to serve the Friends community in this way.
For more information or referral, call Counseling Service Coordinator Deborah Cooper at 215-248-0489, from 8 AM to 8 PM, or e-mail steveg@pym.org.
Steve Gulick
Central Philadelphia Meeting
PYM staff for Care and Counsel for Meetings and Members
Last modified: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 at 08:18 AM