As a Therapist-intern, the single most important aspect of the counseling relationship I have learned is that the therapeutic relationship thrives on a simple formula. That formula involves respect of self, and respect of the client. Respect of the client involves actively listening, actively reinforcing the client's values, gently allowing the client to come to conclusions about perhaps the way he/she views themselves in a negative light (if that's the case) which tends to be the case unless something else maybe going on. During the past three years of an on-going internship and learning over two private practice sites, I've usually found that the client is disturbed by a view of the self, or a view someone else has of them. This concept of themselves has been so ingrained into their self-concept that they cannot separate who they are from whom they have been told that they are. There is a dichotemy. Two views of the self have been created and so a disturbance is created in the mind, which has led to feelings of what they experience as sadness, depression, anxiety, discomfort, listlessness, exhaution etc. A number of various adjectives are used to describe these feelings.
At times there maybe other medical conditions that may result in those feelings and it is important to rule those out. Hence, it is important that a counselor assess the medical history of the client to rule out any medical factors. Once medical factors have been ruled out, nutritional factors can be assessed. One must consider that certain nutritional imbalances such as lack of vitamin B 12, B6, and Vitamin D, can mimic sadness, depression, anxiety and listness. All of these must be accounted for as working within the values of whether the client is eating well, is currently okay with taking nurtirional supplements etcetera. Referrals and recommendations for following up with one's medical and nutiritionists are all part of working within the values of the client. These are all part of helping the client towards wellness which is the foundation of counseling.
I currently work with many populations including the military, people with disabilities, anxiety, social phobias, depression, personality disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, eating disorders, LGBTQIA community, families, couples and anyone who just wants to talk. I love working within the field and I hope that this short article has helped you understand a little bit about working within the value of the client. Please feel free to comment or ask questions. Let's learn and grow together. Be well.
Veronica O'Brien