TALKING IT OVER
with Dr. Clyde M . Narramore
Dr. Narramore, graduate of Columbia University, New York City, is a psychologist and Consultant in Research and Guidance with one of the largest school systems in the United States
licensed to render this type of service. A full time counselor in a church? Possibly, if it is a large church, but rarely. And then it would usually be much better to employ a counselor who is a licensed psychologist, recog nized by law,' who could use clinical techniques. Today, a number of men are getting some pastoral counseling experience and training, then they start looking for jobs. I do not know where they could fit, considering our state laws. Undoubtedly their training would help them immeasurably as ministers. But to fill a professional counseling job, I know of none, unless it might be a “marriage problem” clinic. And most people who go to marriage counselors want professional help from a regularly licensed man. Have you thought of entering the psychology profession? In it we have an abundance of fine positions — schools, clinics, hospitals, industry, medical centers, etc. For example, in the public schools we have many jobs open. The salaries are good, but more important are the mission fields that school psychologists have. This is dis cussed in my book, YOUNG ONLY ONCE, in the chapter entitled, “Your Life’s Work.” U N D E R S T A N D IN G D A D Question. / would like to know how I can help my sister have a better un derstanding of mental illness. M y father who is 81 years old is senile and has hardening of the arteries. W e have placed Dad in an institution because it is impossible for us to handle him any more. His mind is gone. However, my sister is very upset over the fact that Dad is in this good institution. This has caused many misunderstandings. She is not a-Chris tian and has very little confidence in me for placing Dad there.
Before I did, however, I did much praying for guidance as well as con sulting my pastor for his opinion, and, of course, the doctor’s. Answer. These misunderstandings are natural. They may indicate that your sister does not understand the nature of senility. On the other hand, her attitude may be an unconscious fear that she too, (his daughter) will some day succumb to losing her mind — and that, without knowing the Lord. Too, your sister may think that mental illness is a disgrace. Actually it is not, but some people still have such ideas. If she does think so, her present actions may very well be understood in that light. There are several things you might do. (1) Pray for her. (2) Encourage her to talk it out. (3) Arrange for her to spend some time visiting her father so she will come to know his true condition. (4) Send your sister litera ture about senility. This can be ob- tained from your local library. W IT N E S S IN G Question. Do Christian psychologists get discouraged or find the road rough dealing with psychologists that have no real purpose other than personal gain? Aren’t unsaved psychologists and other well-educated people diffi cult to witness to? Answer. Yes, unsaved psychologists are sometimes difficult to witness to. Yet it is a real joy! All witnessing would be discourag ing if we depended on our own efforts. But soul winning is the work of the Holy Spirit. So we continue to sow, knowing that His Word will not return unto Him void. Listen to Dr. Narramore daily over KBBI-FM, 107.5 mgs. in Los Angeles.
W A N T E D : A JOB Question. / have, with pleasure, read some of your books. Now I would like to confront you with the kind of prob lem you undoubtedly enjoy. I am very interested in a ministry of fu ll time personal counseling. 1 have taken several graduate courses in guidance and counseling and just recently completed a very helpful quarter of full time pastoral clinical training at a State Hospital. 1 am thoroughly sold on personal counsel ing and I want to find an appropriate place of service where I can devote my fu ll time to it. Now you know why / am writing you. Would you know of any situation where my serv ices might be utilized? Enclosed is a brief of m y back ground. 1 am also listing two refer ences who know me and know of my interest. I shall be glad to send you more upon request. Should you be able to offer assist ance of any kind, I would be most grateful. Answer. It is indeed a joy to learn of your interest in the field of counsel- ing. The type of training you have seems to equip you best for pastoral counsel ing. Most states require a person to be a licensed psychologist or psychia trist in order to do diagnosis and counseling, except for informal, spir itual, or other non-clinical types of counseling. There is very little demand for a counselor who is not licensed. The reason for this is that most counseling is based upon clinical diagnosis. For example, a marriage problem may actually be the result of a glandular disfunction, a brain injury, or some other problem which comes to light as a psychologist gives appropriate tests. Therefore, very few referrals are made to a counselor unless he is
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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