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- involuntary (don't want the help/forced/in denial) - silent & withdrawn (unengaged) - excessive talker (usually insecure/nervous) - overwhelm themselves - often say, "yes, but..."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