Working with vulnerable populations can be very stressful

I find that keeping with a predictable routine has a calming effect on my daily life.  It also creates a sense of security and reliability within my relationships with co-workers and clients.

This is important as interpersonal relationships should not become an additional source of stress, but instead an integral part of team-building within an organisation.  I would both be a mentor and find a mentor and with reciprocal understanding and direction toward a common goal of doing what is best for the common good, my co-workers and I would help each other work through our similar stresses.

I would also be kind but firm with clients and help in any way that is required without taking any clients success or relapse as a personal failure or conversely a thing that I created rather than initiated.  I think it is very stressful to believe that one has total power to change others, as this creates a sense of being that is unrealistic.

I will help when I can and do my best to help others in achieving their goals and not take my experiences at work with me when I exit the door to go home.  I will use my personal time to refresh for the next work day.

2.  What specific approaches would you take with your clients?

I believe that this depends on the individual client’s goals and particular stage of functioning.  Sometimes, it is necessary to undertake crisis stabilization and make sure that a client is not going to harm him or herself.  This is the primary focus and sometimes demands one to restrain and assist a doctor in medication regulation to get the client to a point to initiate the next step in treatment.

Identification of issues and maintenance of levels of functioning and increasing self-efficacy in a clients behavior is necessary in a secondary stage approach to client management.

Management on a tertiary stage would include helping with individual growth and development to assist each person to becoming as healthy as possible and at the highest level of functioning possible.  At this point, goal-setting and group therapy would be a good approach.

3.  Do you believe that there are any clients that you would not be able to effectively care for?

No, I am a firm believer of Carl Rogers person-centered therapy and the need to assist others with unconditional positive regard.  As a Humanist, I believe that each person should help others achieve what goals they set for themselves and to resist personal judgment on each individuals sense of person, reality, and future.  Since I waive all judgment as a person of this school of thought, I do not foresee having any person that I cannot properly deal with.

If for some strange, idiosyncratic reason, I find myself unable to assist a client properly, I would ethically and without sense of failure ask a colleague for assistance.  I do know my limitations and think that only case overload would ever be an issue.  I need to have enough time to devote to each of my clients and would clearly address any issues with overload or any other issue promptly and professionally.