Instruction
Write a short essay that answers all questions in depth.
300-500 Words, APA format.
Many beginning helpers get stuck because they feel that they have heard the whole story in the first
5 minutes. They become nervous because they think that if they spend more time listening, they will end up covering old ground. They also anticipate the client’s unspoken question, “What should I do?” Consider the first few minutes of this actual session between a 30-year-old woman, Tia, and her helper, Renee. Tia is living with her mother and her 4-year-old son. My mother wants everything done her way. I can’t do anything right, even with my son. For example, I have to call her at the end of today’s session and let her know I came. She thinks I need counseling. But really I just need her to get off my back. I have a job possibility, and it’s walking distance from home. But my mother thinks that it doesn’t pay enough. But I have to start somewhere, and I think I would like it. If it weren’t for her, I would probably be living on the street. But when I try to get more independent, it’s like she doesn’t want me to. There are so many things I want to do. I want to go to school, have my own place, but she just won’t let me.
After the session, Renee met with her supervisor, Marcy, to discuss the case:
Renee: “I had a hard time in the session because I just wanted to tell her to take the job and move out. I also wanted to agree with her that her mother is overbearing.”
MaRcy: “Do you know enough yet to make that kind of statement to her?”
Renee: “I guess not, but I wanted to help her figure out what to do.”
MaRcy: “Resist the temptation to intervene until you know more about the situation and about her.”
Renee: “So I just listen? For how long?”
• How would you answer Renee’s question? As you look back at Tia, what more would you like to know about her before you feel that you have enough information to help? As you look at Tia’s story, do you see any way in which the helper might actually be hurting the client by intervening?
• What cultural, family, and religious factors are in the background of this client’s story? How important are these things in understanding the client? What assumptions have you already made about Tia based on her background? How can you test them?
• In this situation, would you be tempted to find ways for the client to change her mother?
• Why is Marcy cautioning Renee to listen longer? What other issues does Tia struggle with besides her relationship with her mother?
• What parts of Tia’s story would you like to hear more about? Why do you think that would be helpful?
• What specific issues does Tia need to address in herself? Would encouraging her to take a job or move from her mother’s house solve her problems?