1. School of Counseling – Office of Field Experience (SoC-OFE)
Home-based and Community-based Counseling Safety Training

2. Home-Based Counseling
The following information is intended to support your work with clients in their homes. Because there are a number of unknown and unexpected factors that may or may not be present within these various environments, it is important to take additional precaution.
Keeping safety in mind is always important, but it is especially important when working in clients' homes as the environment is less predictable.

3. LEARNING OUTCOMES Students will learn to:
Generate a plan for home-based/community-based counseling
Execute safety protocols for entering and exiting clients’ homes
Implement safety protocols for exiting and re-entering vehicles
Evaluate clients’ home environments and surrounding areas for safety and potential risks
Manage unforeseen client behaviors when providing home-based/community-based counseling

4. Preparing to Go Into the Community and Home
Students should:
Be accompanied by the approved site supervisor or approved designee when providing home-based/community-based services.
Read client, couple, or family’s clinical case file prior to the
home-based counseling session.
3. Review assessments, psychosocial history, substance use/abuse history, violence or criminal history, family composition, and other information.
4. Discuss the contents of the case file with the university approved site supervisor/designee and prepare for the initial and subsequent home-based counseling visits.

5. Preparing to Go Into the Community and Home
5. Students must complete the field site’s home-based/community-based counseling and safety plan training before being approved to participate in home-based/community-based services. 6. Clothing: A. Wear shoes that allow you to move quickly (if needed) B. Be cautious when wearing jewelry, scarves, ties, etc. that could potentially be grabbed. 7. If the field site issues an identification card, students must clip it to their clothing or wear a break-away lanyard.

6. Information and Items to Keep in Vehicle
Cell phone with 911 preprogrammed (keep on person when in the home)
Hand sanitizer/Disinfectant hand wipes
A change of clothing
Clean towels for clean-up or decontamination
Plastic trash bags for covering car seats and/or floorboards

7. Transportation from Vehicle to Clients’ Communities and Homes
Students provide their own transportation.
A. Students are responsible for their own auto- insurance, car
maintenance, and incidentals that arise while commuting to and
from the field site and clients’ homes.
B. The university is not liable for any incidents that occur while
traveling in your personal property.
2. Students can ride with supervisor (if agreed).
Students should receive training and adhere to field site’s policies
on employees and trainees commuting to clients’ homes.
3. Students are not allowed to transport clients.

8. Transportation from Vehicle to Clients’ Communities and Homes
4. If you are being followed, drive to a public place (e.g., police or fire station, convenience or grocery store, gas station), call 911 and seek assistance. Once again SoC-OFE students are not allowed to provide home-based or counseling services without their approved site supervisor or university approved agency representative

9. Parking and Exiting the Vehicle
1. Become familiar with the field site’s procedures regarding vehicle safety, including what to do in case of an accident, breakdown, flat tire, or other mechanical problem with the vehicle.
-Be aware of the area and identify where you can get help if
needed (i.e., 24-hour stores, gas stations, restaurants, and other
public facilities) prior to parking the vehicle, if the client’s home is
in an unfamiliar area.
2. Have enough gas in the car at all times
3. Park in a well lit area with the vehicle facing the direction you intend to
leave
Park in the street rather than the driveway, when possible

10. Parking and Exiting the Vehicle
5. Park with the driver’s side door easily accessible.
Locate the client’s residency before exiting the vehicle .
Look around the area for potential safety risks prior to exiting the vehicle.
Keep vehicle doors locked.

11. Parking and Exiting the Vehicle
9. Only take necessary items into the home
-Purses or wallets should be concealed if they remain in the car
Keys should be easily accessible, such as in a coat pocket or clipped to a clipboard.

12. Approaching the Home
Visually inspect the outside of the home and surroundings; be aware of people, animals (do not attempt to approach or enter the home until animal is secure and there is no danger), or unfamiliar vehicles.
Do not walk around the residence looking in windows if no one answers the door.
Look and listen for signs of disturbance involving or affecting people inside or outside the home (e.g. fighting, crying, dog barking, etc.).
Seek assistance from supervisor if you feel unsafe. Refer to and implement agency’s safety plan.

13. Entering Home of Clients
When applicable, the best practice is to enter through a door that is in plain sight of the street.
Stand on the side of the door while knocking.
Once the door is open, complete a visual inspection to assess any potential hazards which may be present.
Only enter if you can see the person. Do not enter the home if
summoned into the residence by an unseen person;
wait for the person to present himself or herself.

14. Entering Home of Clients
Complete a cursory evaluation of the client’s attitude, demeanor, and behavior to assess for signs of aggression, violence, substance use, or unusual or suspicious behavior.
Do not enter the residence if an adult is not present when counseling children. Implement field site’s policy and consult with supervisor on protocol if children are left alone.
Do not attempt to coerce or be aggressive with a client who is refusing to give you access to the home. Follow the instructions of the supervisor and safety plan protocol.
Do not enter the home without the university approved site supervisor or approved designee. If approved designee does not show up, you will need to call the client from your cell phone to cancel the session.

15. While Counseling in the Home
Adhere to all ACA Code of Ethics in Counseling.
Implement the MS Counseling program specific training on
counseling techniques, theories and evidenced based
practices.
Be humble and prepared. Learn from what is said and unsaid.
Sit where you have easy access to an exit.
Be aware of any unusual smells (e.g. gas, fire hazards,
manufacturing of substances, etc.) •

16. While Counseling in the Home
6. Be aware of the behaviors of those present and the environment (e.g. people in other rooms, unfamiliar people that may arrive during the visit, etc.). 7. Do not enter any part of the home without permission from the client. 8. Be aware that most guns are stored in the bedroom and knives are usually stored in the kitchen. Leave immediately if the client ‘makes a move’ toward a weapon. 9. Follow all safety and emergency plan procedures/policies. Leave immediately if there are perceived safety risks.

17. While Counseling in the Home
Remember that although the home setting might be more relaxed than the office, the purpose of the home visit is professional.
11. Trust your instincts. If you perceive you are being threatened, act immediately, protect yourself, by removing yourself as quickly and calmly as possible. Please follow the directives of your approved university supervisor or university approved field site representative.

18. Departing from Home and Returning to Car
Leave after the counseling session has concluded.
Observe activities around the home and car when exiting.
If you are afraid communicate with supervisor and implement the
appropriate safety procedure. Dial the preprogramed 911 on your cell
phone if needed.
4. Have car keys out and ready when approaching the vehicle if you are
driving.

19. Departing from Home and Returning to Car
5. Look in the back seat before entering the vehicle.
6. Do not remain outside the residence or in your vehicle making
phone calls, completing notes, or other activities.
7. Complete clinical documentation as soon as possible in a safe area.
Use hand sanitizer and/or wash hands as needed after returning to the car.

20. Special Considerations for De-escalation:
De-escalate, remain calm, be aware of your voice tone and seek guidance from your supervisor.
Show respect. Do not tell the client how to handle the situation or what you would do if you were them.
Remove yourself from the situation as soon as possible, especially
if you feel threatened.
Maintain a safe distance between yourself and the client
and/or person in the home. Stand to the side, not directly in
front.
Call 911 from your contacts on your cell phone if needed.

21. Topics for Supervision:
Understand the differences between outpatient and home-based counseling (role and responsibilities, appropriate assessment tools, treatment plans and distinct needs).
Identify techniques to structure settings and set limits so that distractions (visitors, television, phone) do not affect the counseling sessions.
Routinely address universal safety precautions tailored to the unique situations of home-based counseling.
Learn how to maintain appropriate boundaries (not accepting food or drink, staying in open living areas, not hanging around before and after sessions).
Address student self-care needs/plan and ensure plan is being integrated into the student’s routine.

22. References
American Counseling Association (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Alexandria, VA: Author. Hammond, C. & Czyszczon, G. (2014). Home-based family counseling: An emerging field in need of professionalization. The Family Journal, 22(1), Lawson, G. (2005). Special considerations for the supervision of home-based counselors. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy For Couples and Families, 13(4), Tate, K., Lopez, C., Fox, R., Love, J., & McKinney, E. (2014). In-home counseling for young children living in poverty: An exploration of counseling competencies. The Family Journal, 22(4),

23. Training Confirmation
Please click on the following link to complete the Home-Based and Community-Based Safety Training Knowledge Test:
You must answer all questions correctly to satisfactorily complete this training.