PCP offers professional services
Counselling is neither a social chat nor a means of releasing one's emotion. Having received intensive training, clinical psychologists are professionals in counselling skills (such as empathic listening and responding) and in the areas of stress, emotions and mental health. When a police officer seeks help from the Psychological Services Group (PSG), Police Clinical Psychologist (PCP) would first listen to his or her problems, and then make an comprehensive assessment after considering various factors including the causes of the problems, severity of stress symptoms, the officer's coping strategies, personality and qualities, the availability of support, as well as motivation for changes. From the results of the assessment, PCP would help the officers understand their problems and discuss with them the different options to deal with the problems.
The effectiveness of counselling very much depends on the mutual trust and co-operation between an officer and the clinical psychologist. Therefore, PSG puts much emphasis on the voluntary nature of the officer as well as the principle of confidentiality. PSG realises that ups and downs in life are inevitable and that everyone has his or her own aspirations. So PSG respects the officers seeking help and would help them make the best choice for their situations. PSG would also refer the officer to other mental health services in the community if necessary.
Besides professional qualities and confidentiality, the following points set light on the other qualities of PSG's services:
(1) Being members of the Force, Police Clinical Psychologists are familiar with police culture and operations, and fully appreciate officers' situations and needs.
(2) PSG carefully looks after officers' need for psychological services. Generally, the first appointment would be given to officers within 10 working days. In case of emergency, it would re-arrange priorities immediately.
Besides continuing to provide professional and timely psychological services, PSG will endeavor to promote the culture of care, suicide prevention and emotion management, with the aim of raising the resilience of officers and maintaining their efficiency.
For seeking advice and help from PSG, ring 2866-6206 or call at 5th floor, 111 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay. PEN: psg@police.gov.hk
(All cases will be kept in strict confidence.)
When talking about police psychological counselling services, the movie scene may pop up in your mind of a police officer lying on a couch and telling his stories to a psychologist. In reality, how is counselling provided? Can a problem be really solved after just an hour of talking with a psychologist?
PCP helps officers understand their problems and discuss the different options to deal with the problems