Identifying Information
The client who is at present suffering complicacies in her life is a 57-year-old woman of Hispanic origin. Concerning her physical state, it must be mentioned that she is suffering from high blood pressure, which is why she is undergoing a course of treatment at our hospital. However, it is not her state of health that she has come for in the hospital today. What Maria wants is to discuss the trouble which she is having with her son now. It seems that the woman is greatly concerned about the situation and that she needs a helping hand more than anything else. However, since this is our first meeting, the information is not quite sufficient. Thus, personal contact with Maria must be established as soon as possible and she could share the details of her problem with me.
Summary
One of the first problems which have been encountered was the prejudiced expectations. It is clear now that it was erroneous to expect the establishment of cordial relationships from the very beginning of the session. Thus, it was hard to catch the rhythm of the on-going session, which made me feel somewhat confused.
Another reason for concern was the reason for the client’s behavior change; it was not obvious from the very beginning if it was me to blame for the change or if it was the result of the process which was going on in the client’s mind. However, as the conversation went on, it became clear that I needed to switch my role in the session from a completely different mode of behavior.
Trying all possible techniques, I finally realized that there was only one way to help the client share her troubles with me; to be particular, it meant that I had to aim for the relaxing atmosphere for the conversation, with the most soothing effect for Maria to be confident about me. It was also of great importance not to personalize the conversation. Establishing close eye contact and making use of both verbal and non-verbal communicative skills, I finally managed to help Maria trust in me and express her deepest concerns about the boy and the tragic situation which she and her nephew were trapped in. It was also a great success that the reason for the next session was created since I suggested discussing the issue of children’s suicide next time with Maria; it seems that nothing else could trouble her more.
Intervention Plan
Taking into account the complicacy of the situation, it is quite plausible that the therapy will last longer than expected. At present, it is possible to suggest that a series of five sessions might affect Maria. Yet it seems that to relieve her of the psychological stress which she suffers now, it can take some seven sessions. Within this time, it will be possible to help Maria find a way out of the situation in which she is trapped now.
Speaking of the preferable type of therapy, I would choose the solution-focused therapy. Since the process of micro-skills engagement (Kirst-Ashman 5) has been launched, it is possible to think of more decisive steps to make; yet it must be kept in mind that the whole process must be very subtle since Maria is on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Another important issue to remember is that Maria ought to attend the support group which she is so reluctant to at present. Although she does not want to participate in a Children Bullying Support Group now, it could be possible to make this idea alluring for her. Learning ways to cope with her emotions, she will be able to support her foster son as well.
Reference List
Kirst-Ashman, K. K., & Hull, G. H (2008) Generalist Practice with Organizations and Communities. Stanford, CA: Cengage Learning.