{"id":1228,"date":"2021-04-12T14:01:17","date_gmt":"2021-04-12T12:01:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expert.holanuna.com\/practika\/?p=1228"},"modified":"2021-06-03T10:54:13","modified_gmt":"2021-06-03T08:54:13","slug":"when-how-refer-client-another-therapist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expert.holanuna.com\/practika\/when-how-refer-client-another-therapist\/","title":{"rendered":"How to refer a client to another therapist"},"content":{"rendered":"

It can be difficult to decide to refer a client to another therapist rather than treating them yourself. But there are all kinds of reasons you may feel a different therapist would be a better match for your client.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps the client needs specialized treatment you can\u2019t provide, or the therapeutic relationship isn\u2019t a good fit. Maybe you just don\u2019t have the capacity to take them on or offer the session frequency they need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In all cases, therapists need to learn how to manage referrals in a sensitive, caring way that sets the client up for success with their new mental health professional. This article shows you how.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Nuna is a practice management software for therapists that also matches you with clients who are a perfect fit. <\/span><\/i>Try it, it\u2019s free!<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Why are referrals so difficult?\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Therapists frequently struggle with referrals. Mental health providers tend to be deeply invested in their clients, and they may feel they \u201cshould\u201d be able to treat every patient or find it difficult to recognize their limitations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therapists often worry that ending a therapeutic relationship with a client to refer them elsewhere will hurt their feelings or make them feel abandoned. If they have developed a long-standing, trusting counseling relationship, clinicians may also have concerns around affecting the progress that\u2019s been made.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There may also be more practical concerns at play. Therapists new to private practice could have reservations because they don\u2019t want to lose a client or transfer business to their competitors. If that\u2019s you, our guide on <\/span>how to start an online therapy practice<\/span><\/a> could help.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Often, therapists just aren\u2019t sure who to refer the client to or how to manage the process.\u00a0<\/b><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why it\u2019s important to make appropriate referrals<\/span><\/h2>\n

Understanding when and how to refer clients to another therapist produces the best outcome for clients and therapists alike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Therapists who provide skillful referrals prioritize their clients\u2019 well-being and find them the effective, specialized care they need. The APA code of ethics clearly states that therapists shouldn\u2019t treat conditions they don\u2019t have expertise with, so it\u2019s a matter of doing the right thing professionally.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Referring clients in the right way also helps therapists to show that they are trustworthy professionals, concerned with clients\u2019 needs above all else, which builds their reputation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Engaging in client referrals is also a key way to strengthen your clinical network and build connections with other therapists. <\/b>There\u2019s room for everybody, and by seeing other mental health professionals as allies, rather than competitors, they will be more likely to refer patients your way.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s right, you can actually end up with <\/span>more <\/span><\/i>clients by mastering the art of referrals. For more tips on <\/span>how to get more therapy clients<\/span><\/a>, take a look at our blog post.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

When should you refer clients to another professional?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Now that it\u2019s clear how important referrals are, let\u2019s look at <\/span>when <\/span><\/i>you should refer clients.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Timing is key. If you haven\u2019t started working with a client yet, ensure diagnostic interviews are part of your clinical process, so you can refer them to someone more suitable before you\u2019ve begun treatment if it doesn\u2019t seem like a good fit. You may know when a client first contacts you, even before speaking with them, that your counseling services won\u2019t meet their therapeutic needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But many therapists also find themselves referring clients when treatment is already underway, due to either a change of circumstances or discovering new information. <\/span>Therapists should regularly evaluate the effectiveness of treatment and the therapeutic relationship to ensure it\u2019s still a good match.\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Therapists should be ready to refer clients in cases when:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They need specialized help outside of your areas of competency\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s impossible to have the expertise required to treat every psychological condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Therapists may find themselves with clients who need help with issues they\u2019re not trained in. Certain conditions are more likely to require specialized help, like personality disorders, psychosis, or eating disorders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also important to consider whether your therapeutic approach is a good fit for your client\u2019s condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, a therapist who provides Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may successfully treat clients with depression and anxiety but may need to refer a client with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder to a specialist in a different kind of therapy, like Exposure and Response Prevention, the gold standard in OCD treatment. Similarly, a psychoanalyst might want to refer a patient with Borderline Personality Disorder to a Dialectic Behavioral Therapy expert.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The therapeutic relationship is unhealthy or unsafe<\/span><\/h3>\n

Most therapists will end up dealing with inappropriate client behavior during therapy sessions at one stage or another.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean you need to stop working with the client. According to certain schools of psychological thought, \u201ctransference\u201d, where patients \u201ctransfer\u201d strong feelings onto the therapist, can be a valuable part of the therapeutic process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, if this dynamic affects your ability to provide therapy, you may need to cease treatment and refer the patient to another therapist if it\u2019s appropriate to do so.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>For example, clients may behave romantically or flirt with the therapist. Depending on the degree to which this happens, this could be an opportunity to deal with issues of transference or it could become overly inappropriate or persistent, in which case you should refer the patient to someone else.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another common example is violent or aggressive behavior from a client. Whether the client behaves in a physically or verbally threatening manner, this is unacceptable within a therapeutic relationship, and you may consider referring the client to a mental health professional experienced with challenging behavioral tendencies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Treating the client affects your own mental health\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>In their work with clients, most therapists are occasionally exposed to issues and experiences that may provoke discomfort or trigger personal memories.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>As a mental health professional, you likely already have strategies in place for dealing with these scenarios and remaining centered, objective and professional in the therapy space.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>But sometimes a client has issues that are just too close to home \u2013 for instance, if you\u2019re currently experiencing a challenging situation that mirrors your client\u2019s, it may be difficult to detach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>If you feel really off-balance and you\u2019re unable to achieve professional distance when working with your client, it\u2019s possibly time to refer. Stepping away from emotionally triggering situations \u2013 and therapeutic relationships \u2013 can be an important form of self-care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You aren\u2019t available to offer the sessions needed<\/span><\/h3>\n

Sometimes, deciding to refer a client is a purely practical option. You may not have the availability to provide the number of sessions they need. You may relocate, retire, or become temporarily unavailable due to illness or maternity or paternity leave. All therapists need to have a plan in place for referring clients so that they can terminate therapeutic relationships without neglecting their duty of care.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How do you refer a client to another professional?<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Now that you know which red flags should lead you to refer a client, let\u2019s think about <\/span>how <\/span><\/i>you should go about transferring a client from your care to that of another therapist.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Your clients\u2019 needs should always be front and center in the referral process, and that means ensuring you refer them to a professional you trust and think will fit their needs.<\/b> This may be someone you\u2019ve worked with previously or heard good things about. Remember to double-check that they have the relevant expertise for your client.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Manage the referral process sensitively\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s essential that you take a sensitive approach with your client.\u00a0 If you\u2019ve had a lengthy therapeutic relationship, they may feel abandoned if you try to end the relationship too brusquely or hand them over to someone else without letting them know what to expect. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important that you feel confident the mental health professional you\u2019re referring them to is skilled and reliable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The first step is to have an honest, respectful conversation with your client, in which you let them know kindly, but firmly, that you can\u2019t continue working with them, and explain your reasons why. You should give your client time to process the idea of working with someone else, and ensure they have the time and space to respond to you and feel heard.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can then talk your client through the practicalities of the transition to a new therapist, and reassure them that you\u2019ll help them through the process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Involve the client in choosing a new clinician<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>You shouldn\u2019t present just one referral option to a client \u2013 it leaves them feeling like they don\u2019t have much choice in the matter, and if the practitioner isn\u2019t available, they\u2019ll feel like any subsequent recommendations are a second choice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Give them at least three referrals, take the time to explain a little bit about why you think each psychotherapist would be a good fit, and let the client choose.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also involve the client by discussing your assessment of the situation with them, and listening to their input on what they feel they need from a therapist. Then, you can discuss the best referral options together and make a patient-centered plan.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Use a therapist platform to find great referral options<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/span>If you don\u2019t have a referral option in mind, using an online therapist directory can be a fantastic way to match your client with a professional suited to their needs. You could even look through a therapist directory with your client, pointing out the kinds of therapists you think would suit them best, so that even if they don\u2019t end up going with your referral options, they know what to look for in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Nuna is a therapist platform with a full directory of therapist profiles that give details on the therapist\u2019s background and experience, as well as the type of therapy they provide and the kind of conditions and problems they typically treat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Nuna\u2019s \u201cmatching\u201d feature can help you to find trusted professionals for every client\u2019s need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Using an online platform like Nuna for referrals is also a great way to strengthen your network, letting other therapists on the platform know about you and your specialties.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Nuna also has full practice-management and appointment-scheduling software, as well as a teletherapy tool. Take a look at our previous article on the <\/span>best teletherapy platforms<\/span><\/a> out there.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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Set up the new therapeutic relationship for success<\/span><\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Aim to make the handover as painless as possible for the client and for the new mental health professional. You can ask for the client\u2019s permission to share their information with their new therapist so the therapist can get prepared and hit the ground running, rather than starting from scratch. Again, with your client\u2019s informed consent, you can make yourself available to the new practitioner to answer any questions in the first few weeks or months of therapy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You may want to have a final session with your client to ease the transition and provide closure through a formal goodbye. If it\u2019s a very difficult transition, and your client requests it, you could even consider participating in the first session with the new therapist as backup support.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowing when to refer helps your clients and your therapy practice<\/span><\/h2>\n

Knowing when and how to refer clients to another professional is a key part of therapy. But it can be tricky: therapists often worry about the emotional fallout with their client or feel concerned around practical matters like knowing who to refer them to.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Referral can be the best thing for you and your client if:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n