Counseling Helping Process PDF

THE HELPING PROCESS GENCE C. RODRIGUEZ, RSW, MPA Murphy (2014) proposed a solution-focused counselling approach, and this is based on the following beliefs: a. Shifting from what is wrong to what is right; b. Problems restrict thinking; c. Problems Restrict Hope; d. Problem...

THE HELPING PROCESS GENCE C. RODRIGUEZ, RSW, MPA Murphy (2014) proposed a solution-focused counselling approach, and this is based on the following beliefs: a. Shifting from what is wrong to what is right; b. Problems restrict thinking; c. Problems Restrict Hope; d. Problems restrict self-Identity; and e. Solution focused counselling increases solution opportunities. The word "problem" is not used negatively in social work practice. Using this in proper context, that is, the helping process is a problem-solving and not a problem-focused; it creates an awareness resulting in the client challenging their mental models that are contributing to the current presentation and helps shift these to strength-focused. PERLMAN'S PROBLEM-SOLVING PROCESS 1 2 3 4 ENGAGEMENT DATA COLLECTION PLANNING, EVALUATION AND AND ASSESSMENT CONTRACTING AND TERMINATION INTERVENTION  ENGAGEMENT ❑ Begins even before the worker meets their client either face-to-face or online. ❑ When a referral has been made, knowing the client's background is part of engagement. Sometimes, confidential information is shared by another agency (with the client's consent or by the client's parents if the client is a minor). Keep all the documents confidential by putting them away securely (or turning the records over). ENGAGEMENT ❑ Depending on the client's age, the worker may need to prepare child-friendly toys or colouring materials. ❑ Preparation of the physical space is essential, and clients are concerned about the privacy and confidentiality of the session. ▪ Make sure that the office door is shut to ensure privacy. ▪ Arrange the office chairs - the worker facing the client, preferably without a desk between the worker and the client, as this creates a physical and professional barrier. ▪ Keep the door free from unintentional barriers such as placing a chair near the door, as this might give a signal to the client that they are "trapped" in the office. ❑ Assuring the client that the session is voluntary and free to go whenever they want; is important, especially true with aggressive, violent clients. ❑ The social worker also needs to prepare with the flow of the initial session (and future sessions).  ENGAGEMENT ❑ From the time the client is collected from the wait room, the worker has to warmly introduce him or herself and usher the client to the counselling office. Give the client the choice of where to sit. ❑ If health protocol allows, offer a handshake. Good eye contact is essential; however, in some cultures, looking at the worker directly in the eyes is a sign of disrespect. ❑ In some cases where the client identified as indigenous, asking them if they want to start the session in a special way is respectful. ❑ The social worker must clarify their role and what the agency offers to the client regarding counselling support. This gives the client an understanding of what to expect from the service.  ENGAGEMENT ❑ Informing the client that the session is confidential unless there is a risk to self (suicide, self-harm) or others (homicide). ❑ The social worker may tell the clients that the session is voluntary, and there are no right or wrong answers, nor are there trick questions. The worker may tell the client that they may or may not answer your questions if they feel uncomfortable. ❑ It will also be good to understand the client's presenting issues based on the client's narrative by asking the client "What brought you here?". Some clients, especially the "frequent flyers' would display uncooperative behaviours. They need to understand that the intention is to help, and their account of what they think is happening is essential. This gives the client reassurance that the social worker is there to listen without judging. In return, the client may feel "validated" and trust the worker  DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT ❑ In gathering relevant information, aside from getting it from other professionals (with client consent), the social worker's primary tool in counselling is a social work interview. ❑ In the social work interview, the social worker gathers information covering the client's family history. DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT Genogram - It is similar to a family tree, and it contains basic information such as name, gender, date of birth, death of birth, occupation, life events, relationships, and information that is relevant to the client's life. Storytelling - The client leads the conversation. The social worker follows the flow and direction but keeping in mind that there is "relevant" information that needs to be heard, such as family history, personal history, developmental history, social (including relationships), spiritual and cultural history, education, occupation, medical history, psychiatric history, forensic history, legal, alcohol and drug use, engagement of other services, etc.  DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT Timeline ▪ A chronology of the significant events in the client's life. ▪ It is a horizontal line, starting at the client's birth (left) and ending at the present (right). Events above the line highlight positive events, while negative, painful, or traumatic ones are listed below. Mental State Exam (MSE) ▪ A tool and process that mental health professionals use to observe the client's psychological functioning. Before conducting one, it is essential to have the training and supervised clinical experience in a mental health setting. MSE contains the worker's observations on the client's presentation during the session. The worker observes the client's appearance, behaviour, speech, mood, affect, thought, perception, cognition, insight and judgment, and risk assessment.  DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT Formulation ▪ The four "Ps" of case formulation (predisposing, precipitating, perpetuating, and protective factors) provide a framework for outlining the different factors that may have contributed to the client's problems. Predisposing factor may include genetic vulnerabilities. physical health, disability, temperament, self-esteem, poverty, discrimination, and son. Precipitating factors refer to events that triggered the problem, such as grief, trauma, medical illness, unemployment, legal issues, strong negative beliefs, and emotional dysregulation. Perpetuating factors maintain the current situation, such as lack of access to medication, non-compliance with routine, unresolved interpersonal conflicts, ongoing substance use, insomnia or hypersomnia, living in a hostile environment, etc. Protective factors keep the client well, such as adequate coping skills, support from school, friends, family, resilience, a healthy lifestyle, a good set of friends, or and a stable income.  DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT Formulation  DATA COLLECTION AND ASSESSMENT Safety and Risk Assessment ▪ When seeing clients, it is vital to check their risk, including self-harm, suicidal thoughts, homicidal ideation, drug use, family violence, gender-based violence, child abuse, elder abuse, etc. ▪ The Suicide Risk Assessment Guide of the New South Wales Department of Health provides a tool for assessing risk. Please note that the guide DOES NOT replace clinical decision-making practice. Is this person's risk level changeable? Highly Changeable (Yes / No) Are there factors that indicate a level of uncertainty in this risk assessment? E.g., poor engagement, gaps in/or conflicting information. Low Assessment Confidence (Yes/No) PLANNING, CONTRACTING & INTERVENTION ▪ Planning and contracting start at the beginning of the client-social worker initial meeting. When the social worker has clarified the role, programs and services that can be offered, and the client has signed a consent to receive counselling services, the contracting part has started. ▪ In the beginning phase of the social work counselling session, the social worker will help the client to identify issues and concerns that will be the target of the intervention (in this case, social work counselling). ▪ It is recommended that the client identifies their goals. Goal setting is essential to identify the change clients want to achieve during social work counselling. Goals are specific, measurable, attainable, result-oriented, and time-bound (SMART). PLANNING, CONTRACTING & INTERVENTION ▪ It is crucial to highlight the necessity to establish a warm, positive and respectful relationship between the client and the worker at this stage. ▪ The worker uses various theoretical lenses and skills in supporting their client's "journey". ▪ The client voluntarily shares more information. ▪ With the client's permission, the worker may need to collaborate with other support networks. ▪ There is more clarity about the client's problems and strengths. The worker and the client continuously assess the progress made and lessons learned along the way. ▪ It is essential to evaluate if the activities, strategies or interventions are helping the client achieve their goals. ▪ If the identified intervention is not alleviating the client's issues, consider modifying the goals or strategy. ▪ The ending phase is reached once the goals have been achieved (ideally, all goals). This is when the client has gained insights from their life experiences, meaning genuine acceptance of the "good and bad", and hope is restored. EVALUATION AND TERMINATION ▪ Evaluation happens in all phases of the problem-solving process. When the social worker gets feedback from the client before the end of the initial session, it is partly an evaluation. Another way of checking if the client has made some progress in the course of the social work counselling sessions is that the worker may administer tools such as DASS 42 (Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale) to establish the client's baseline. Then, the same questionnaire is administered after six sessions to check if there has been some therapy progress. ▪ Before the case closure, the worker will administer the same questionnaires to check the client's final progress before discharge.  REFERENCE: Viray, V.M. & Ang-Reyes, J (2023). Social Work Counselling in Social Work Practice. A Resource for Filipino Social Work Students and Practitioners