Your human services counseling clients will come to you suffering at one level or another.
Your human services counseling clients will come to you suffering at one level or another. The Learn materials from the last two modules discuss the concept of suffering and factors guiding how to counsel those who are suffering. In fact, a careful analysis of the Learn materials indicates numerous concepts and principles that could apply in counseling those who are hurting.
1. As you counsel your hurting clients, what you say to them will be guided by your own beliefs about the role of suffering in human experience (part of your own “theoretical map” as discussed in the lecture). Considering the numerous points that were made in the course, make a list of at least 5 concepts (“questions to ask myself as I counsel those who are suffering. . . “) that you found particularly helpful, insightful, unique, or had not thought about before. What guidelines would you particularly emphasize as you counsel hurting people? The five concepts you list should be based on the course materials, so make sure you cite the source you use.
2. Then consider the following scenario. What suggestions from the course materials would you want to apply to this hurting client? Why did you choose those suggestions as most important?
Scenario
You work primarily for an adoption agency but on some evenings, you volunteer your time at your church’s free counseling clinic. Your client in that setting, Jamie, was recently divorced, and expresses that she “has no direction” in life. She feels very rejected and alone. She often cries in session and in her latest session, lashed out at you, her therapist, since she was “not feeling better.” She questioned whether you were really helping her since she is still “feeling all this pain.” She left asking, “Why can’t you help remove this needless suffering?”
Sample Solution
Certainly, your beliefs about suffering and the human experience will influence how you counsel your clients. The course materials offer several helpful concepts to consider when working with those who are hurting:
Five Concepts to Guide Your Counseling
Here are five concepts gleaned from the course materials that you might find particularly helpful (Corey, 2013):
- Suffering is a universal human experience. Everyone faces challenges and setbacks throughout life. Understanding this universality can help normalize your client’s experience and reduce feelings of isolation.
- Suffering can be growth-promoting. While difficult, suffering can be an opportunity for personal growth. By working through challenges, clients can develop greater strength, resilience, and self-compassion.
- The meaning of suffering is subjective. What one person finds unbearable, another may tolerate with relative ease. It’s important to focus on your client’s unique experience and validate their feelings.
- Suffering is not always negative. Sometimes, suffering can motivate positive change. For instance, a client experiencing chronic pain might be inspired to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
- Focus on coping, not necessarily eliminating suffering. While eliminating suffering is an ideal outcome, it’s not always realistic. Instead, focus on helping clients develop healthy coping mechanisms to manage their pain.
Applying the Concepts to Jamie
Let’s consider how these concepts can be applied to your work with Jamie, the client who is struggling following her divorce:
- Validate her suffering. Acknowledge the pain of divorce and the feelings of rejection and loneliness she is experiencing. Let her know that it’s normal to feel this way after a major life change.
Full Answer Section
- Help her reframe her suffering. While the divorce is undoubtedly difficult, it can also be seen as an opportunity for personal growth. Help Jamie identify areas where she might want to focus on self-improvement.
- Explore coping mechanisms. Teach Jamie healthy coping skills to manage her emotional pain. This might include relaxation techniques, journaling, or spending time with supportive loved ones.
- Set realistic goals. Focus on small, achievable goals that will help Jamie move forward in a positive direction. This could include developing a social support network, re-entering the workforce, or taking up a new hobby.
- Be patient. Healing takes time. Avoid promising quick fixes or pressuring Jamie to get over her divorce too soon.
- Address her anger. Her lashing out at you suggests that Jamie might be struggling with anger related to the divorce. Help her identify healthy ways to express her anger.
- Explore her support system. Does Jamie have a network of friends and family who can provide emotional support? If not, help her develop one.
- Consider grief counseling. Divorce can be a significant loss. If Jamie is struggling to come to terms with the end of her marriage, consider referring her to a grief counselor.