Intro to Sociological Counseling
Clinical Sociology is a client-centered, non-medical* approach. It is not the treatment of mental illness or disorder. Neither does it diagnose or, in any way, label the client. It does not compete with psychology or mental health counseling. It is not an alternative to these fields.
Rather, it is a complementary approach. (Clients are encouraged to retain other medical professionals in their lives and pursuit of wellness.)
The sociological counseling relationship is non-hierarchical.
In the counseling relationship, we become co-facilitators, using sociological tools to assess situations, belief systems, and behaviors that are counterproductive to your individual happiness and interactive harmony.
Sociology does not ask the central question of psychology, How can you better adjust to society?
It does ask, What are the realities and demands of your social world? And, What strategies might facilitate a better outcome for you in your relationships and social interactions?
As a behavioral science, sociology concentrates on how people and groups interact with each other. Even our assessment/s of ourselves (our self-image, our identities) are formed in social interaction.
The sociological perspective is a tool to analyze, not you, but, the dynamics of your relationships at home, work, and school; in partnership/marriage; in dating/romantic/intimate relationships; within families; within friendships; between colleagues; in regard to sexuality/gender identity and sexual orientation; and in regard to personal identities.
We work with you to help you develop processes and understandings to reduce problems and to help you envision alternative ways of dealing with challenges.
Clinical sociology is effective in helping clients bring change to their social worlds.
As a clinical sociologists, we help you look at the forest, and not just the trees, and gain the perspective necessary to see the whole complex picture at once, both to come to know yourself better, and to understand—in the words so often used in AA—the “difference” between the “things that can be changed” and the “things that can’t.”
*Clinical sociology is non-medical, it is not state-licensed.