Chapter 1: Developing a Helping Relationship

“Most people would rather be certain they are miserable, than risk being happy.” Author: Unknown

Learning Objectives Define the helping skills (including attending, listening, reflecting, and encouraging) and apply them in an interview setting Construct open- and closed-ended questions and demonstrate the appropriate use of each type Identify a client’s needs, strengths, and barriers Explain how to help clients establish long- and short-term goals and use them as the basis of an action plan; cite methods used to assist the client to accomplish the plan Develop and maintain a comprehensive file of community resources for client referral Explain when and how to terminate service to a client

Ingredients in the Helping Relationship Acceptance Respect Understanding Empathy Trust Warmth Genuineness

Purpose of the Intake Interview To develop an understanding of the client’s history and current situation To identify and define a client’s career goals To identify obstacles to and resources for goal attainment To match the client’s needs with appropriate organizational services

SOLER Attending Skills S - Face the client squarely O - Adopt an open posture L - Lean toward the client E - Maintain good eye contact R - Try to be relatively relaxed

Choose a partner Role play: CDF and “client” Play yourself as if you were coming to a CDF for help with your own career. 10 minutes – engage in a getting-to-know-you interview using the skills you’ve learned Reverse roles

SOLER Debrief What was easy, difficult Anything suprising? Imagine using these skills with real clients/students

Reflection Two key components Feeling Content

Closed-ended Questions Advantages Easy for clients to answer Yield information quickly Useful for clarifying information

Closed-ended Questions Disadvantages Restrict clients to brief answers Keep the questioner in control of the conversation May make clients feel interrogated May be perceived as advice or criticism

Open-ended Questions Advantages Explore clients’ thought and feelings Give clients some control in the conversation Convey your interest in and respect for the client Provide information you may not think to ask

Open-ended Questions Disadvantages May allow clients to wander or to avoid a topic May lead to a series of “I don’t know” answers

Identifying Strengths Motivation: client’s level of desire to work toward attaining career goals Education and Transferable Skills: academic, vocational, and experiential Support System - family, community, etc. Timing - perception of how much time can be spent in job search Decision-making Skills - comfort and experience with decision making

Identifying Barriers Finances - living expenses and job-search costs Transportation - driving and using public transportation Childcare and eldercare concerns - needs related to caring for children and elderly Mental and Physical Health Issues - illness that may affect self-esteem or work

Elements of an Effective Action Plan A well-defined long-term goal Alternative goals Specific resources needed to accomplish the goals Short-term goals A realistic time line Strategies to overcome anticipated barriers