Respond to two colleagues:
- Share an insight gained from reading their post.
- Ask a probing question that will help you gain a deeper understanding of their response.
make sure to provide APA citations and a reference list
1IK-
How did you approach the case, and how did the age of the client factor into your decision-making?
In the interactive assignment, I approached Claire, the client, with respect. My major objective was to create a private and safe environment in which she could be accepted without judgment. As a teenager, her demeanor indicated that she did not want to attend the session organized by her parents and was only present because her father told her she had to. I questioned her about her day and validated her feelings to continue establishing trust and allowing her to speak up. I asked her to express her thoughts and emotions towards her friend Jules. She appeared to be suppressing several feelings. She was able to express her feelings of sadness, anger, and fear. I encouraged her to talk openly about the difficult topic to work through her emotions. I do not believe Claire’s age influenced my choice; suicide is already a tough issue to address. My approach would be empathy-based, regardless of the client’s age.
Then, imagine it was an older client (age 75 or above) in the same situation. How comfortable or uncomfortable would you be?
If the client were an older adult (75 or older) in Claire’s situation, having lost a friend to suicide, several factors may influence the counseling approach. I might feel a mixture of comfort and discomfort. Different cultures have diverse beliefs and practices surrounding aging, family dynamics, and intergenerational relationships (Marsiglia et al., 2021). The client’s life experiences and cultural background may also impact their perception of mental health and desire to seek care. In this scenario, it may be simpler to address death with an elderly client, who may have already suffered several losses in their life. They might be in a place where death and dying are more acceptable or known issues. However, the matter must be approached with empathy and respect for the person’s private views and cultural norms. Suicide is a very uncomfortable topic generally. In Nigeria, for instance, there are some states that when someone commits suicide they are buried in the evil forest or their corpse is thrown away into the forest, as it is believed that the process cleanses that land from evil and no one is meant to talk about it again. It is critical to recognize this discomfort and be prepared to handle any response, including the risk that the client would voice suicidal thoughts. Working through this discomfort is critical to providing effective and supportive treatment.
Would your approach be different based on cultural norms related to age?
Cultural norms related to age, as highlighted in Marsiglia et al. (2021), would certainly impact my approach. My answer would be yes! My approach would most certainly be different based on cultural norms related to age. Different cultures have distinct beliefs, values, and attitudes toward mental health, death, and grieving. Understanding and respecting these cultural nuances is crucial for providing effective and culturally sensitive counseling (Sue et al., 2016). When working with older adults, for example, it is important to acknowledge and respect their cultural beliefs and practices related to aging. This may include honoring their wisdom, respecting their authority, and recognizing the role they hold within their families and communities. It may also involve being aware of potential power dynamics and hierarchies that may exist and navigating those dynamics with sensitivity (Sue et al., 2016).
2JA-
How did you approach the case, and how did the age of the client factor into your decision making?
Claire came in to the office feeling uncomfortable it appeared, so I felt the best approach to start the meeting would be by informing Claire of the confidentiality she can expect in the meeting. My hope was that this would help provide a safe environment that would make her feel more comfortable to share. Creating a safe environment like this is a good way to start building rapport (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2018). After setting that safer environment, I put a lot of focus on listening and showing empathy. I think for the most part my approach would stay the same because sharing empathy and discussing confidentiality is essential with every client we work with.
Then, imagine it was an older client (age 75 or above) in the same situation. How comfortable or uncomfortable would you be?
Working with a client that is 75 years old or older would be comfortable for me. I actually work with adults daily in my career. I do not work with kids except for on a personal level with my own children, so working with older adults seems more comfortable to me. Some things to keep in mind when working with a client that is 75 or older are some of the common struggles that occur at this stage of adulthood. Loss of friends and support may be occurring more frequently than ever before at this time in their lives. Experiencing this can make it harder for the client or maybe even easier to discuss (Zastrow et al., 2019). These individuals may also be experiencing more physical health concerns that affect their daily lives or mental health struggles like loneliness or depression (Zastrow et al., 2019).
Would your approach be different based on cultural norms related to age?
Every approach needs to be individualized based on the client. This means keeping in mind the comprehension level and differences in culture, age, and other forms of diversity that makes each of us different from one another. The key here is to always be respectful and sensitive to cultural norms.
