Counselling
The idea of counselling is completely unfamiliar to most elderly Greek Australians. It is foreign to the Greek understanding of sharing and resolving personal issues. In a traditional situation personal issues and problems were discussed, managed and resolved within the family sphere. They were not talked about externally, nor was it open to the individual to resolve such matters without consulting family members.
The suggestion of any need for counselling, or referral to a counsellor, may thus be greeted with hesitation or reluctance by elderly Greek Australians. The idea of seeing a counsellor may carry the stigma of families not having been able to resolve their own problems. For some, resorting to outside help is shameful. Counselling is likely to be seen as an intervention of last resort (when all other efforts at family resolution have been exhausted), not as a legitimate alternative or an effective service.
Although Greek Australians may have gained some understanding of the purpose of counselling, the concept is foreign to their understanding of health care. Elderly Greek Australians tend to consult their GPs regarding personal matters, often asking them for advice on matters that might otherwise be dealt with by counsellors. For the religiously devout, the doctor as counsellor may be substituted by the priest as counsellor.
If you do refer your client to a counsellor it is important that a professional interpreter be engaged if there are problems of English language proficiency. Similarly, the discussion of emotionally distressing matters may be made easier with the assistance of an interpreter. See Using Interpreters for helpful information. You could also consider referring your client to a Greek-speaking psychologist or therapist. Directory of Greek Services lists Greek-speaking professionals across a wide range of service areas.
