Enabler, Facilitator, Planner, Colleague Finding solutions with clients
Resource Management
Broker/Advocate, Mediator, Activist, Catalyst
Finding, maintaining, and advocating for resource provision for and with clients
Education
Teacher, Trainer, Outreach, Researcher
Empowering information exchange between social worker and client
Elements of Empowerment Approach
personal, interpersonal, sociopolitcal
Personal
a subjective state of mind; competence; feeling in control to impact change. Arises from a goodness of fit
Interpersonal
sense of independence, support, and respected status; the ability to influence others, Social status, Skill sets and positions
Sociopolitical
the objective reality of opportunities in societal structures and the reallocation of power through modification of social structures
Elements of the strength perspective
Clients have existing reservoirs of resources and competence to draw upon.
Clients have a distinct capacity for growth and change.
Problems defined as occurring within the transactions between systems rather than than residing in deficient system functioning.
Collaboration amplifies existing strengths to build new resources.
Affirms client is the expert. Positive change builds on a vision of future possibilities. (Miracle Question)
Magnifies mastery and competence rather than correct deficits.
Person in environment
understanding an individual and individual behavior in light of the environmental contexts in which that person lives and acts
Cultural influences on communication
affects all facets of communication processes, creates variability in verbal meaning, nonverbal expression and interpretation, some nonverbal expressions apply universally
Assumptions influence on communication
Can lead to misunderstandings
Expectations influence on communication
past experiences shape perception
Emotional influence on communication
impact sending, receiving, and remembering information. Acute stress can result in hypervigilance
Distractions
noise, odors, interruptions
Close ended vs open ended questions
One only elicits a yes or no response while the other allows the client to elaborate
Proactive Responding
Client-centered, culturally sensitive, goal-directed
Uses active listening skills
Respond by building on and validating what clients share
Verbal skills
Use easily understandable words, Avoid evaluative terms, such as good, bad, okay, Avoid jargon, inferences, speculation, and labels, Use words that are descriptive rather than inferential, Do not generalize people based on their ethnicity, gender, class, etc., Adopt a speaking style that is moderate in tone and speed of delivery, Use speech to convey that you are truly interested in what the client has to say
Non-verbal skills
Bodily behavior, eye behavior, facial expressions, voice-related behavior, observable autonomic physiological responses, general appearance, space
Effective listening
Minimizes attention to his/her own experiences, concentrates on the client with a determination to understand, Listening attentively conveys respect for the client
Active listening
Combines talking and listening skills in such a way that others feel understood and encouraged to express themselves further. Is a form of feedback. Shows interest in the clientâs views, feelings, and experiences
Inviting
Use of body position, facial expression, speech, and language to indicate readiness to listen
Listening
involves hearing, observing, encouraging, and remembering
Reflecting
Includes paraphrasing the clientâs statements
Self-disclosure
Brief, infrequent, and immediately relevant to clients, âthis is my experienceâ
Common errors in communication
Using too many of the clientâs words so that one appears to be mimicking. Repeating the same lead-in phrase. Trying to be clever or profound. Responding only to facts or feelings rather than listening actively. Interrupting frequently. Using active listening too often
Biopsychosocial
Describes the social aspects of the clientâs functioning and their situation.Â
Social Workers are especially concerned about the match between client needs and resources available to meet those needs
What does a BPS need to be
short-the report should say no more than needs to be said to communicate necessary info
clear and simple-select the least complicated wordsÂ
useful-keep your purpose in mind. Do not include info just because it is interesting
Timeline
Table that reflects important events or experiences in chronological order during a designated period
Genogram
Graphic representation of family trees or pedigrees
Eco-map
Diagrammatic representation of the social contexts in which people live
Qualities of a good goal
Should be stated as an accomplishment.
Stated in clear, specific terms.
Should be measurable or verifiable- Need to know how you will know if you succeed
Realistic for the client
Adequate to improve client situation
Realistic change
Help reveal opportunities to make choices
Help connect with resources to increase opportunities
Shaping Competence
Strength-finding -------> Strength Accentuating
What things are already going well
Constructing feedback
Descriptive
Shares personal perspective, not advice
Specific
Positive and points of improvement
Keeps pace with client readiness
Confrontation
Intent
Behavior
Outcome
Reframing
negative -----> positive
Metaphors
They are ambiguous and help the client make their own meaning
Narrative Strategies
Clients become a "cast of characters"
Find positive themes
Help clients rewrite the parts of their stories that feel negative
"The Story I'm telling myself"
Tasks-new behaviors
Constructing Experimental Activities
Observations
Connecting and Disconnecting relationships
Maintaining Productive Action
Taking Small Steps
Implementing Activities-homework
Following Up