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Recommendations

    1 That the FFMPU promote the development of identified counsellors for the families and friends of missing persons to be accessed by prospective clients.

    2 That the FFMPU promote the development of competencies and specific training be discussed and developed in liaison with relevant professional and/or training bodies.

    3 That the FFMPU promote the development of suitable training workshops*.

    4 That the FFMPU emphasise the importance of counsellors offering flexibility and long term continuity of availability in their provision of counselling to the family and friends of missing persons.

    5 That the FFMPU develop a web site that includes a listing of those recognised as identified counsellors of families and friends of missing persons.

    6 That the FFMPU maintain a listing of recommended readings for its identified counsellors.

    7 That a pamphlet be developed for distribution to families and friends of missing persons outlining what standards and services can be expected of identified counsellors.

    8 That the FFMPU issue a statement endorsing certain basic principles of counselling the families and friends of missing persons including, but not restricted to, the following: Counsellors of the families and friends of missing persons are encouraged to:
        • Ensure they possess well honed basic counselling skills recognising the particular importance of empathy and genuineness
        • Ensure they are well informed of the particular needs of the family and friends of missing persons
        • Avoid a dogmatic attachment to a “stage” approach to loss theory and particularly any unmodified application of grief and loss models that emphasise ‘closure’ and ‘resolution’ as end products.
        • Be familiar with the ‘lived experience’ of the family and friends of missing persons.
        • Be available for the ‘long haul’ in terms of availability.
        • Be familiar with developmental issues surrounding the loss/hope dilemma experienced by family and friends of missing persons.
        • Maintain currency in the literature surrounding loss and grief and the issues facing family and friends of missing persons.
        • Develop an association with local support groups for the family and friends of missing persons.
        • Engage in a therapeutic philosophy that assists the family and friends of missing persons helpfully redefine and reinterpret their altered status with the missing person.
      * Suggested content could include:
          1. Contributions by consumers on the lived experience
          2. Applicability of various counselling models and theories
          3. Details of various search agencies and procedures
          4. Legal issues when someone goes missing
          5. Information on support groups
          6. The impact on relationships where a loved one is missing
          7. Problems in reunions
          8. Found but estranged
          9. Avoiding the less helpful


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    The information contained on this page is not legal advice. If you have a legal problem you should talk to a lawyer before making a decision about what to do. The information on this page is written for people resident in, or affected by, the laws of New South Wales, Australia only.

    most recently updated 15 July 2003