Instead of lecturing or drilling a patient with questions, most counselors ask questions which gradually guide their patients to a comfortable perspective on their troubles, a perspective which will allow the patient to find their own answers. After the initial counseling session, the therapist and officer often have decisions to make. If the officer feels more comfortable talking with others on the force about his problems, the psychologist may recommend group therapy or peer counseling. If the officer is severely depressed, the psychologist may refer him to a psychiatrist who can prescribe anti-depressant drugs. If the officer's issues are strongly affecting his or her family, the counselor might ask to speak with them as well.
Psychologists insist that no step is taken without the officer's approval.
Everyone gathered into a room for a group meeting. She had been talking all that time and had no idea who I was. She displayed no knowledge of police work and turned off a lot of people. We find the areas of difficulty and work on those. Honig has had less problems than most therapists in getting officers to cooperate with psychology programs.