Reflection on case study

1.    Which skills did you use in the session? How?

·        In my session, the skills I used include therapeutic communication skills of immediacy and safety planning and this helped my client to express her immediate feeling of her plant to “end it all” to me. She was able to open up to her deeper exploration and plans. Because patients especially adolescent may have difficulty identifying and implementing adaptive coping strategies in the place of SH when they are in the midst of a suicidal crisis and overwhelmed by strong negative emotions, the written safety plan helps the suicidal individual to select and use coping strategies in crisis situations (Clarke, S., Allerhand, L. A., & Berk, 2019)

2   How did the assigned Corey readings, PowerPoints, Handouts, and videos inform your therapy session? Please explain in detail.

The assigned reading was so helpful; it helped me explore those factors that are making my client contemplate suicide. I had to show her that I understood what it feels like to have a break up with a partner and how hard it must have been for her to go through that. I was non judgmental and also represented hope by ask her if there are other ways the problem can be solved other than suicide, has she explored other options in the past that might have helped.

3.    What were your strengths in the interview?

My strength was being able to listen to my client without interrupting. I was able to draw on coping strategy, by encouraging her to be with people that care about her as this can help distract and reduce feelings of isolation.

What were your weaknesses/areas in need of further development in the interview?  My weakness was sometimes I showed a little bit of judgmental expressions while she was telling me her suicidal plan.

5.    How could you improve your interviewing skills? Are there steps you plan on taking? What are those steps?

I Plan to improve my interviewing skills by practicing more as this was my first experience. I know with constant practice I will get used to it and be able to apply more of the what I have learned from the materials and PowerPoint presented.

6.    Was there any time when you felt stuck or uncertain how to respond? Describe what was happening then. Were there times you felt more confident in your responses with the client? Times you were less confident? How? Does this come through in the session?

Yes there were definitely times when I felt stuck and uncertain at that point I was thinking of how to respond to her so she would not feel judged. The times that I was confident in my responses I had to train my mind to wait for her to finish before I respond.

7.    How were you impacted by the client…your emotions, thoughts, physical reactions, transference, and countertransference, body language?

8.    What was your overall response to the interview? Did you feel connected to the client? Distracted? Disengaged?

I felt more disengaged and a little bit connected. The part where I feel disengaged is suicidal part. I have never had any experience with a client that gives me detail information on how they plan to commit suicide that was new for me. My connection with the patient was where the patient had negative childhood experiences and painful memories. It helped me understand her pain.

9.    What was the quality of your engagement, your empathy? Overall I would say the quality of my engagement was good, I know over time with more experience I would do better.

10. If you were to continue seeing this particular client, what future directions would you take? How would you conceptualize the case and what would be some of your treatment goals? How would you pursue these goals?  If I were to continue seeing this particular patient my treatment goal will include follow up therapy session with a therapist after discharge from hospitalization, recommend patient to be part of a group of people with similar experiences.

In relation to your partner:

1.    What were your partner’s strengths in the interview?

My partner has great listening skills. It was as if she knew exactly what I was saying every time. She has great empathy

2.    What were your partner’s weaknesses/areas in need of further development in the interview?  Her ability to be more therapeutic with communication will go a long way.

3.    How could your partner improve his/her interviewing skills?  By Becoming aware of her personal biases, values, or problems.

References

Clarke, S., Allerhand, L. A., & Berk, M. S. (2019). Recent advances in understanding and managing self-harm in adolescents. F1000Research, 8, F1000 Faculty Rev-1794.