1. An Introduction to Human Services, 6th Edition
Marianne Woodside and Tricia McClam

2. Chapter Five
The Client

3. Mindfulness http://stopbreathethink.org/
Mindfulness- a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

4. Barriers to Receiving Help
For the next 5-8 minutes, write about a time in your life when you truly needed help.
What were the barriers or obstacles you encountered in getting help for yourself? Did you overcome them? Yes or no? How?
What did you learn about yourself in the process?
Evaluate the help you received. Do you believe it was adequate? Yes or no? Why or why not?
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

5. The Whole Person: Perceptions of Client Problems
Problems in living may occur in many areas, such as:
Psychological
Social
Economic
Educational
Vocational
Spiritual
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

6. The Whole Person: Defining Problems
Problems in living can be defined with two components:
A description of the problem
A course of action leading to its resolution
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

7. The Whole Person: Defining Problems (continued)
Factors that influence identifying and resolving problems:
Cultural values of the society
Developmental needs of the individual
Client’s perception of the problem
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

8. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems
Conceptual frameworks for understanding and identifying problems in living:
Developmental Perspective
Situational Perspective
Meeting human needs
Social change and its effects
Environmental influences
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

9. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems (continued)
Developmental Perspectives
Human development is a continuous process (Erik Erikson)
Individuals experience the stages of development in different ways
The completion of developmental tasks may vary in quality
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

10. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems (continued)
Situational Perspectives
Problem occurs because an individual is at a specific place at a specific time
Problem may lead to short-term or long-term difficulties, or both
Individuals are often viewed as victims
Differences in behavior, customs, or cultural traditions may lead to situational problems
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

11. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems (continued)
Meeting Human Needs - Maslow’s hierarchy
Individuals cannot address higher order needs until their basic needs have been met
Deficiency needs
Being needs
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

12. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems (continued)
Rapid social change leaves individuals in unfamiliar situations (e.g., homelessness)
Survival needs
Unemployment
Gentrification
Deinstitutionalization
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

13. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems (continued)
Environmental influences (Bronfenbrenner, 1979)
Primary influences (family, school, child care)
Secondary influences (neighborhood, social organizations, faith-based organizations)
Other influences (international, regional or global)
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

14. The Whole Person: Understanding Client Problems (continued)
Defining Strengths
The positive characteristics, abilities, and experiences of the client.
Provides the helper with information about how the client can grow or change
Brings a new perspective to problem definition
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

15. Clients as Individuals, Groups, and Populations
Individuals: The person who seeks one-on-one services.
Groups: Could be a couple, family, or several individuals who share a similar problem.
Populations: Neighborhoods, cities or counties, problem populations, or geographic regions.
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

16. Getting Help: Ways of Getting Help
Referral
Involuntary Placement
Inadvertent Services
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

17. Getting Help: Barriers to Seeking Help
How the client views the problem
How the client views the human service professional
Cultural factors
Costs (financial, psychological)
Transportation
Time
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

18. Getting Help: Barriers to Seeking Help (continued)
Barriers to friends as helpers:
Fear of others’ reactions
Loss of face/reputation
Loss of friendships or respect
Fear of being a “burden”
Friends aren’t helpful or trustworthy
Client reluctance should be respected
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

19. The Client’s Perspective: Client Expectations
Clients expect:
Quality of care
Unbiased attitude
Experience with the problem
Similar/same point of view
Assistance with decisions and actions
Quick solutions
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

20. The Client’s Perspective: Client Evaluations of Services
Clients are sophisticated in the area of client satisfaction, which depends upon:
Client’s perceptions of the helper
Good relationship with the helper
Active participation
Success in solving problems
Supportive environment
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)

21. The Client’s Perspective: Client Evaluations of Services (continued)
Client dissatisfaction may be due to:
A clash between the helper’s and the clients’ expectations.
Receiving unwanted help and advice
A lack of clarity about the problem and any necessary intervention(s).
Prepared by Ellen Carruth
Chapter 5 (1)