Re: Topic 3 DQ 1: Some clients ask clinicians to share details of their daily life or history. How would you answer these queries? Do you believe that more or less self-disclosure is appropriate? Why?

This question deals with maintaining specific boundaries within the counselor/client relationship. There are ways not to disclose the complete picture to the client, but also sharing relevant information that will connect you to what they are speaking to you about. There’s always a gray area that will permit the counselor to discuss some general topics that may relate to an experience that you’ve experienced. I think it’s important for the client to feel confortable enough with the counselor to be willing to divulge details of some events that they may be ashamed of. Knowing that their therapist/counselor is human and could’ve experienced some of the same things may just be what the client needs to hear. It really depends on what the client is asking and how much disclosure would be too much. The counselor should not feel like if they disclose specific information would be detrimental to the counselor/client relationship. If that is the case I would reframe from disclosing specific details in full. I would probably just touch the surface, and keep it moving.

My response:

Good morning Tamera

Re: Topic 3 DQ 1

In reading this question I think it is key that less self disclosure is better due to the fact this is for the client and not about you at all. What I have noticed in what my supervisor does is that he just gives a general example of what happened to someone dealing through an event similar to of the client. It helps leave his name out of it and just states that this is how a person in general would deal with this. Even though he is really talking about himself, which makes it more important to keep it in general. By having that boundaries the clients will know that it is mainly for them and you are not here to share everything about your life story. I have been sitting and listening the past few weeks I just am trying to still find the proper phrasing to state an example of something that has happened in my personal life. If you do go into deep detail about your own life the client could use that against you . Also I am learning that self disclosure is just an easy thing to do so it is more effective to learn other things to say and use certain phrases that are not about you. I have made small talk like just about what I like to do and just about school and such. But I have never talked about all the negative experiences that I have had.

My response:

Good morning Lauren

Re: Topic 3 DQ 1

I believe when a counsleor discloses any information about themselves it should not be to personal. I do believe when this is done there needs to be a purpose behind the disclosure. For example if a client is there for domestic violence and they are having a hard time with answering some of the questions during the assessment I feel that if I have information or knowledge first hand I would ask the client “would you mind if I talk to you about a situation that has to do with this question?” and if they say yes then disclose what is pertinent to that question. I feel this helps the client not only to open up, but they see us being as human as they are.

I also feel when you are self-disclosing really depends on a why you are wanting to open-up to the client and you just not wanting to tell “war stories” to get the client amped up.

“Self-disclosure can help in building rapport, which is essential to the counseling relationship. Counselors often choose to disclose about themselves and their lives to aid in the development of trust that is necessary for counseling to be effective.” (Natwick, 2018).

Reference

Natwick, J., (2018). Ethics Update: # MeToo: The Ethics of counselor self-disclosure. Retrieved from:

https://www.counseling.org/docs/default-source/ethics/ethics-columns/ethics_february_2018_metoo.pdf?sfvrsn=b62

My response:

Good morning Iva

DQ#2: As a counselor, why is it important to consider the client perspective in a counseling session? Reflect on your previous learning in your Social and Cultural Diversity Issues and Co-Occurring Disorders courses as you respond to this question. Share your insights with your classmates.

2 posts

Re: Topic 3 DQ 2

It is important for the counselor to consider the clients’ point of view is because each has their own unique perspective on the counseling relationship. Each think the treatment process and what is happening is of importance. With that being said, it is important to obtain and consider each of their perspectives in order to gain the entire picture of what the counseling process is going to be like.

In regards to social, cultural diversity issues and co-occurring disorders courses, the client counselor perspectives in comparison allows for a more thorough evaluation of the process. Recognizing discrepancies in counselors’ and clients’ experiences of the counseling process may allow the counselor to build a stronger alliance. This will provide an effective counseling session because of the clients’ social, cultural issues and co-occurring disorders/experiences are used to guide to sessions.

Counselors strive to create both a trusting relationship and a comfortable environment with all their clients so that the difficult task of healing therapy can begin. A client seeking counseling come from an array of backgrounds, requiring counselors to know and understand the various ways culture impacts the counseling relationship. A lack of sensitivity to a client’s unique background and experiences can result in miscommunication, a clients’ refusal to participate, and ultimately, an ineffective counseling relationship. In any of the mentioned, be it cultural, social or co-occurring any communication problem left unexplored may lead to allegations of mistreatment or abuse. It is important to remember the goal of therapy is to understand the individual as a whole is the key to success.

Reference

Elliott, R., & James, E. (1989). Varieties of client experience in psychotherapy: An analysis of literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 9, 443-467. doi.org/10.1016/0272-7358(89)90003-2

My response:

Good afternoon Patricia

DQ#3: Many times, clients have waited a long time to come into counseling due to feelings of fear of the unknown or fears of disclosing. In what ways can counselors overcome client apprehension in the counseling session? Identify ways in which you can help build a healthy client/therapist relationship. What type of client may challenge you the most? Share your insights with your classmates.

Thinking about the very important topic of reducing the fear a client may have in getting help and even staying with a program to receive help. Due to the fact this person has sat in there negative state of mind for a while and now are finally getting the help they need. The counselors job is to help them understand that yes it is a process but it is worth it in the end. By seeing that being able to use the skills that are learned while in counseling or in the difference levels of care there will be challenges but they be more able to overcome them. IN reading through a journal it states that “ by showing college students and adults a video of a client talking about positive therapy experiences. They found that this resulted in more positive attitudes toward seeking help; it decreased stigma, increased willingness to disclose personal information in treatment, and improved confidence in mental health practitioners. “(Ægisdóttir, S., O’Heron, M. P., Hartong, J. M., Haynes, S. A., & Linville, M. K. (2011) By seeing that others have had positive experiences and even providing a welcoming environment to the client so that they feel like they can share is so key. Just seeing that there is a way to overcome the past and the present it will help everything overall. The counselor has to make sure that the client is able to ask questions when they come up because the counselor needs to know the boundaries.

 

 

References

Ægisdóttir, S., O’Heron, M. P., Hartong, J. M., Haynes, S. A., & Linville, M. K. (2011). Enhancing Attitudes and Reducing Fears about Mental Health Counseling: An Analogue Study. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 33(4), 327–346. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=67306475&site=ehost-live&scope=site

My response:

Good afternoon Lauren