Introduction
Practical helping skills are techniques that help develop meaningful relationships with customers. It is characterized by empathy, analogy, genuineness, respect, and warmth. Some basic helping techniques include problem-solving, paraphrasing, reflecting, clarifying, and active listening. However, unhelpful techniques are unsatisfying and corrupt the client interaction. It involves unnecessary interruptions, impatience, and a lack of concern during conversations. These videos illustrate the essence of incorporating efficient helping skills in a therapy session.
Effective Helping Skills Video
Description
In the video, Dr. Lampson, the therapist, demonstrates how to conduct a successful treatment session. Her customer, Eva, has a hoarding condition, which has made her have problems with her family, and she is depressed as a result. Throughout the session, Dr. Lampson uses attentive listening and nonverbal cues. She is also perceptive and maintains her professionalism as she engages her client.
Dr. Lampson also employs several helping techniques, such as validation and empathy. She begins by inquiring about her client’s emotions and gives her the freedom to express herself fully (Lampson, 2019a). She only guides her client through the conversation by keenly mirroring back the emotions expressed.
Helping Skills Observed and Description of the Most Helpful Skills
Some of the helpful skills in this film include reflecting on her thoughts and emotions, paraphrasing, nodding, and asking open-ended questions. An instance of an open-ended question is when Dr. Lampson asks Eva to elaborate on her shoes and how she developed an interest in red shoes (Lampson, 2019a). Furthermore, Eva clearly enjoys telling her story and chats nonstop about her dance events. Making connections and recalling what the client said are also incredibly beneficial, as seen when Dr. Lampson recalls Eva’s tight bond with her father.
Eva says she has memories of her father, and that’s one of the reasons she can’t part with her collection of newspapers. Eva also discusses how her mother’s behavior made their connection increasingly distant, as her hoarding spiraled out of control. Dr. Lampson employs nonverbal listening techniques, such as head nodding, while speaking. These techniques encourage Eva to continue speaking.
Imagining Most Challenging Aspects of the Interaction
One of the most significant challenges in this interaction as a helper would be explaining the client’s hoarding condition and her current predicament. Clients are often emotionally fragile during their therapy sessions. Eva prefers to refer to her possessions as a collection since she dislikes the word “hoarding.” Dr. Lampson employs frequent reframing throughout the movie.
For instance, she tells Eva that people struggle to let go of things because they are creative and often discover uses for objects (Lampson, 2019a). She also stresses how difficult it is for individuals with this kind of illness to obtain, save, or discard goods. Dr. Lampson therefore addresses Eva’s issue while taking into account her feelings and current condition.
Another challenge involves not disrupting the client when she is speaking. Dr. Lampson repeatedly interrupts Eva in the film; this is sometimes unavoidable. However, it is challenging because there are times when I want to share my opinion and make further inquiries.
Helpee’s Feeling During the Interaction
As a helpee in this session, I would have appreciated this interaction. The session is well-structured, with the client driving the dialogue and the therapist speaking very little. Furthermore, the open-ended inquiries facilitate the conversation, allowing the client to speak about whatever she chooses. Dr. Lampson further used reflection of feelings and information to demonstrate empathy effectively. She was understanding and able to relate to Eva while Eva shared about her difficult marriage (Lampson, 2019a).
Additionally, I would appreciate her professionalism in handling her client’s emotions. Eva had a safe space to express her feelings and inner thoughts, thanks to Dr. Lampson, who attentively listened and acknowledged her comments throughout the session. I believe that having someone who can understand my thoughts and listen to them is precisely what is required, and Dr. Lampson achieved that.
Ineffective Helping Skills Video
Description
This video depicts an interaction between a therapist, Dr. Lampson, and a helpee, Eva. Eva is battling drug abuse and is seeking assistance from Dr. Lampson. However, the therapist is reluctant and unsupportive in her approach with the client.
The video illustrates what counselors should avoid doing during therapy interactions. The counselor fails to show proper decorum, and the helpee strains to interact with her while trying to tolerate her. Dr. Lampson seems unconcerned and unsympathetic towards her customer (Lampson, 2019b). Besides, she does not consider Eva’s emotions and asks inconsiderate questions, focusing instead on her shortcomings and mistakes.
Unhelpful Therapist Behaviors Observed in the Interaction
Inappropriate conduct by Dr. Lampson is seen in the film on numerous occasions. She first claims that she cannot comprehend Eva’s depression and finds it difficult to accept that she suffers from it. Being nonjudgmental is one of a therapist’s traits. Relating to your patients on an emotional level is another vital trait of a therapist. They can appraise the situation by empathizing with their clients’ emotions. When Dr. Lampson challenges Eva’s feelings by calling her a hoarder, it is just another example of how she does not take her client’s feelings into account (Lampson, 2019b). During the session, Dr. Lampson frequently veers off topic, discussing topics that are neither pertinent nor helpful, such as where to buy shoes.
Speaking on her phone, ignoring her client, accepting the pair of shoes as a present to assist her, and finishing the appointment early are examples of poor nonverbal behavior. Throughout the appointment, Dr. Lampson presents a carefree demeanor and converses with her client informally(Lampson, 2019b). All of these behaviors are inappropriate during a session and do not build trust between the client and the therapist.
Feelings of the Helpee in the Interaction
In this scenario, if I had been the helpee, I would have been quite uneasy and discouraged. I would anticipate my therapist to be sympathetic and understanding of my position if I were a patient going in for therapy. I would be upset and irritated that my therapist is unable to address my issues and acknowledge my feelings, rather than distressed.
The therapist mentions at the beginning of the movie that she does not understand why the client becomes depressed, and upon hearing that, I would feel hopeless because my feelings would not be acknowledged. Several times during the session, the therapist talked about unrelated topics and became distracted (Lampson, 2019b). I might begin to believe that the therapist isn’t trying to help me as a result of these inappropriate practices. Furthermore, I would feel as though sharing any of my private thoughts and feelings with her would be pointless.
Reflections on Helping Approaches Based on the Two Videos
After watching both videos, I now understand which approaches work best for assisting clients. The ability to offer a comfortable environment for the client to discuss any subject they choose is, in my opinion, the most crucial component of a successful treatment session. I can tell from watching the video on practical assisting skills that Eva can speak her mind openly and is at ease taking the lead in conversations(Lampson, 2019a). Besides, I have learned that it is important not to judge a client or someone when seeking to offer help. In the second scenario, Dr. Lampson focuses more on the client’s mistakes and is very judgmental, hence the therapy becomes dissatisfying.
Based on the interactions in the two videos, my plans for helping relationships have been significantly shaped. The most helpful thing I can do for a client is offer an ear, as clients who enter treatment are typically emotionally vulnerable. I believe that empathizing with and understanding the client’s feelings is more crucial than offering advice or suggestions. Furthermore, I will strive to minimize frequent interruptions and create a conducive environment for my helpers to discuss freely. In this way, my helpee will learn more from their own narrations than from my advice.
Conclusion
Practical assisting skills are essential in any professional conversation. As a therapist, you should provide a comfortable environment that fosters deeper self-awareness and understanding, while also encouraging positive action. In the first scenario, the client finds a good platform to talk freely and express her emotions due to the therapist’s professionalism. However, in the second video, the therapist exhibits poor interactive skills and fails to engage in productive interaction. Therefore, promising helping approaches incorporate active listening, building a rapport, and reflecting.
References
Lampson, K. (2019a). Therapy session: Good counselling skills. Hoarding disorder. YouTube.
Lampson, K. (2019b). Therapy session: Really bad counseling skills 1. YouTube.