What are some special counseling concerns for women in family shelters?
• A special strategy for people with drug and alcohol problems is essential – Not every adult who comes to the family shelter is addicted to alcohol and/or drugs. Yet, we must be mindful that addicts have special needs that the “garden variety” sinner does not have. By using a standard alcohol screening test in the normal intake process, we can identify those with drug and alcohol problems. They, then, must be channeled into activities that will help stabilize them in sobriety and begin an active personal program of recovery. These include; support groups, addiction therapy, educational activities, etc. If a shelter’s staff does not have expertise in this area, using other community resources is essential. Because addiction is a primary issue, all other help that is provided will amount to nothing if the person cannot become stabilized in a sober life. • The Issue of Toxic Shame – By definition, “toxic shame” is an inner sense of being defective, faulty, unlovable, undeserving, unredee
