Question: If a client complains about how depressed he/she is feeling the best way to handle this conversation usually is to:
A: Inquire about what the person's strenghts and assetts are and then point out that they have things to be positive about which will offset and be an antidote to the negative things in his or her life.
B: Immediately do a risk assessment and ask them if they are feeling so bad as to think of committing suicide of hurting anyone else.
C: Commiserate with them that things sound awful. You might even ask if the person thinks that things could get worse.
D: First off, ask them if they are on or would consider antidepressant medication.
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Correct answer is C - Commiserate with them that things sound awful. You might even ask if the person thinks that things could get worse.
ReplyDeleteThe first step in psychotherapy is establishing a therapeutic alliance. This involves the expression of empathic feedback that is validating for the client. Unless the client feels understood and cared about by the therapist, the relationship will not be effective.
Really? Hmmmm...I thought you just told them to "get over it" because people are starving in the Sudan.
ReplyDeleteI agree w/beginning w/psychotherapy (Solution Focussed, Narrative, and CBT if not in crisis), which includes, at some point, A to D. As part of the initial assessment, it's important to ask about self-harming behaviour as well as if the patient/client is taking meds/seeing another mental health professional. Assessing strengths may help if the patient/client is in fact self-harming.
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