When significant mental health barriers prevent someone from being able to fully embrace pastoral or ministerial counseling or coaching, referral is recommended.-based practice (EBP) in mental health treatment has indicated that both medication and professional counseling together often provide the best course of treatment for significant mental and mood disorders (i.e. depression, anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder). Most modern psychological approaches embrace a "bio-psycho-social-spiritual" approach to wellness. Professional mental health providers will often work collaboratively with ministers or a person's support system to ensure that a holistic approach to wellness is encouraged, assuming that a client or patient signs a release of information authorizing disclosure and collaboration.

Knowing when to refer someone for professional counseling is an important competency for those in ministry to help during times of crisis and ensure that someone has the best possible outcome during a significant mental health or emotional crisis. This is also important to avoid potential liability and/or tragic outcomes for you or your ministry. When is it an appropriate to referral people to additional professional counseling services would be indicated. What types of problems would you begin to feel pushed a boundary in the comfort level in ministry? What parameters would guide your process to making a referral (i.e. would you only refer to Christian professional counselors/social workers/psychologists? If so, why?).