1.2 - Becoming a Helper

What is needed in an effective helper?

* attentive listening - listen with whole body * empathetic understanding - feeling & understanding * confidentiality - anything you ever say can get back to anyone - separate work & home = leave everything you see at work, at work

Describe helping as an "art"

* craft it in a way that works best for you and clients - everything can be so subjective >> personal cases = different people require different helping styles

Common themes among beginning helpers?

* lack of confidence (self-doubt) - must believe in yourself * expectation for perfection - nobody is perfect - acknowledge mistakes, learn from them

Sympathy vs. Empathy

* sympathy - feeling sorry * empathy - feeling & understanding

How do you define helping?

*.guiding people to changing their current problems/life - positive change in your opinion can differ from the opinion of others * acknowledging there is a problem * making a plan * empathizing

What does "I-COPE" stand for?

- *Identifying stress* = (how do you know when you're experiencing stress?) - *Communication skills* = (learn to say no) - *Organizational skills* = (pace yourself & prioritize) - *Perception skills* = (the way you look at things / let go of things you can't change / self-assuring statements) - *Enhancement skills* = (eat well / get sleep / exercise regularly / treat yourself / take time to relax)

Levels of Coping

- *individual* = you handle self - *social* = make adjustments from environment - *institutional* = things in culture

Perceptions of helping?

- development of appreciation for compassion >> humbling / always hope - placements changed their perspective on the best ways to deliver services to those in need

What happens if/when there is a disconnect between your perception of helping and the person receiving the help?

- find common ground > just listen - give them tools to succeed (alternatives, but must be their decision) - need to see through their eyes = want to be seen as equal, not needing help

Types of challenging clients

- involuntary (don't want the help/forced/in denial) - silent & withdrawn (unengaged) - excessive talker (usually insecure/nervous) - overwhelm themselves - often say, "yes, but..." (making excuses) - deny they need help - overly dependent on therapist - passive-aggressive behavior - rely primarily on intellect - use emotions as defense

How can you deal with burn-out?

- keep stress or tension log - find time for R&R

In what areas can you specialize as a human service professional?

- marital & family counseling - social work - clinical & counseling psychology - school counseling

How is stress measured?

- quantitatively (get hooked up to any number of machines that will measure stress) - qualitatively (how you define stress)

Motivations of Helpers

- the need to make an impact - the need to reciprocate - the need for self-help - the need to be needed - the need to care for others - the need for recognition & status - the need to provide answers - the need for control

Needs that often motivate helpers?

- to make an impact - to return a favor - to care for others - for self-help - to be needed - for money - for prestige & status - for control - for flexibility

What factors should you consider in becoming a social worker?

.- how do you feel about yourself? - what are your values? - what interests you? - what are your abilities? - what is important to you?

Stressors

any stimulus which triggers a physiological or psychological arousal reaction

Stress

a measurable physiological & psychological reaction to a stressor(s)

Etzioni Type Leaders

a mix of both instrumental and expressive leadership - eliminates extremes * understands the work/life balance = work < life

Expressive Leaders

concerned about feelings - may not get the job done / pushover

Instrumental Leaders

goal oriented - need to get the job done >> inconsiderate / selfish

Transference

if counselor reminds client of someone > client will project upon counselor who they perceive them to be - projecting onto counselor past feelings or attitudes that they had toward significant people in their lives > unconscious

Burn-Out

job-related anxiety & unhappiness that affects: - job performance & personal life >> look at what is causing the stress, NOT who is to blame

What are two professional challenges?

stress & burn-out

What are some way in which transference can occur among clients?

they may perceive you in distorted ways > see you as perfect > fall in love with you > make unrealistic demands > displace their anger onto you

How can stress be managed?

through following I-COPE - identifying stress > communication skills > organizational skills > perception skills > enhancement skills

Countertransference

when the counselor projects certain affections & feelings on their client because of what they've triggered - clouds a counselor's judgement > a mesh > unconscious