Individual Stressors in Northeastern United States Discussion

M5 Disc – Special pop Sheila grew up in a city in the Northeastern United States. She is Asian-American and has never received any interventive services from a Human Services Professional. Since her relocation four years ago, her family has been unsupportive of her due to familial expectations of higher achievement and the desire for her to go to law school so that they could have a “lawyer in the family”-being that her two brothers are both medical doctors. Being a ‘free spirit’, Sheila has struggled to make ends meet and has worked many lowpaying jobs. Sheila says to you, “I am so lost. This is not how my life is supposed to be…or is it”? Meet Todd. Todd is from a small Southern town. He is biracial (African-American and Latino), openly gay, and decided to speak with you due to experiencing multiple stressors at work, as well as a complicated home life. Todd received his associate degree from Rasmussen College and is working towards the completion of his bachelor’s degree in Human Services. He is a caregiver for his elderly mother and experiencing work-related stress due to being passed up for two promotions. Discussion Question: Sheila and Todd come from differing backgrounds. As a Human Services Professional, what processes would you take toward identifying both of their needs-considering, the cultural backgrounds of both and their individualized stressors? After defining their needs, as the Human Services Professional, how would you work with Sheila and Todd towards adequately addressing their needs? Answer to peer J Hart Sheila and Todd are different in many ways, but they also have some similarities. Some similarities they have are that both biracial, Sheila’s family wants her to go to college, and Todd is in college. Both are under a fair amount of stress. They are also different from each other in that Sheila is from a city and Todd is from a small southern town, Sheila is heterosexual and Todd is openly gay, and Sheila is a free spirit while Todd is very stressed about work. They would both benefit from strength-based therapy to help them build their self-confidence and self-esteem (Stoerkel, 2021). This manner of counseling addresses their stressors and encourages them to take control of their lives. I would also incorporate cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as an approach to help them learn to reframe their thoughts. This type of therapy can be used to teach them to have a more positive, less stressed attitude (Davis, 2018). I must ask them about which culture they identify with. I would create an action plan with each of them. Determine why they are here and what do they expect to get from our sessions with me. References Davis, K. F. (2018, September 25). How does cognitive behavioral therapy work? Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/296579 Stoerkel, E. M. (2021, May 25). What is a Strength-Based Approach? (Incl. Activities and Examples). PositivePsychology.Com. https://positivepsychology.com/strengths-based-interventions/ M5 Disc – Practical Therapeutic Alliance Directions: An intake can be awkward because the client is meeting someone for the first time and is expected to open up every little crack and crevice of their life. How can helpers develop a therapeutic alliance while conducting an intake? I already did the discussion I will need you to answer a peer Here’s mine Evidence-based attitudes and behaviors including empathic understanding and positive regard to clients are vital in creating a safe, transparent, and welcoming environment that promotes good relationships for the therapeutic alliance. Congruence involves counselor selfawareness which is also an essential factor to be considered since it boosts an attitude in a counselor that leads to genuine relationships with clients, counselors become honest and openminded with clients thus attracting feedback from the clients. Also, through role induction, clients are educated by counselors about their role, this is helpful to clients since then they are aware of what they can talk about, role induction results in an interactive session thereby breeding therapeutic alliance (Rogers, 2000). Warm acceptance of clients by counselors which involves accepting the attitudes, experiences, emotions, and beliefs reported by a client brings about a feeling of trust and safety which is helpful for the client to explore their weaknesses, self- doubts, and insecurities. Nurturing an emotional bond can also be beneficial in developing a therapeutic alliance, through this; clients can show positive responses towards their counselors, and this process is to be led by the counselors by showing consistent interest in talks with the clients (Rogers, 2000). Answer to a peer B Majerus I feel the best way to develop a therapeutic alliance is to be calm and inviting to your clients . Ask questions that can allow them to open up more. Most importantly don’t rush them . Things they are dealing with or from past can be hard to discuss and painful for them . Be genuine in your responses and demeanor to your clients . Its a huge step to have them there whether voluntary or not.