The client is experiencing intense emotions, expressing feelings of guilt, shame

The client is experiencing intense emotions, expressing feelings of guilt, shame, and remorse for their past actions. As a social worker, using a trauma-informed practice framework, I will establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, and employ advanced techniques to address the client’s concerns and guide them towards healing.
Establishing Rapport and Validating Emotions:
Social Worker (SW): “Hello, I noticed you’ve been crying all day. Is everything okay?”
Client (C): “No, I’m not okay. I would like to talk to someone.”
SW: “I’m here to listen and support you. What’s been happening? What’s on your mind?”
C: “I feel so bad about how I’ve treated everyone in my family, especially my husband. I’m ashamed of myself. I’ve even resorted to stealing and prostitution to feed my addiction.”
SW: “Thank you for sharing that with me. It takes a lot of courage to be honest about our actions and their consequences. Your emotions are valid, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed by guilt and shame.”
Empathy and Reflective Listening:
SW: “It sounds like you’re carrying a heavy burden and you’re deeply regretful for the pain you’ve caused. Can you tell me more about why you think you have treated your family this way?”
C: “It’s like I couldn’t control myself. The drugs had control over me and I did whatever it took to get them. I hurt the people I love the most, and now I’m full of regrets.”
SW: “I can hear the tremendous remorse and accountability in your voice. It’s important to acknowledge that addiction is a complex and powerful force that can hijack our decision-making abilities. You’re not alone in this struggle.”
Trauma-Informed Approach and Mindfulness:
SW: “Given what you’ve shared, it seems like your substance abuse may be connected to past traumas. Have you ever explored that connection before?”
C: “I’ve never really talked about it. But I know deep down that some of my actions are influenced by the traumas I’ve experienced.”
SW: “I commend you for recognizing this connection. Trauma can leave lasting impacts on our lives, and exploring it through therapy can help us better understand ourselves. Would you be open to engaging in a mindfulness exercise to ground ourselves in the present moment and increase self-awareness?”
C: “Yes, I’m willing to try anything that can help me heal.”
SW: “Great. Let’s take a moment to focus on our breathing. Close your eyes if it feels comfortable. Take slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. Notice any physical sensations or thoughts that arise, but let them pass without judgment. Let’s do this for a few minutes together.”
Using Motivational Interviewing Techniques:
SW: “Exploring your journey to recovery can help us better understand the changes and intentions you’re bringing into your life. Considering your desire to heal and rebuild, what are some values or goals you would like to work towards?”
C: “I want to repair my relationships with my family, especially my husband. I want to feel deserving of love and respect again.”
SW: “That’s a powerful intention. Let’s work together to create a plan that supports your goals. How do you envision reconnecting with your family and rebuilding trust?”
C: “I think I need to start with being honest and showing them that I’m committed to my recovery. I want to participate in family counseling once I’ve made some progress.”
This is the assignment
Introduce the session by describing the client, the presenting problem and stating how many previous sessions you have had with this client (one paragraph). The rest of the paper should focus on your therapeutic skills. This is meant to be a self-reflective exercise to process your use of skills and your feelings about doing so.
Discuss the following:
What skills did you implement that worked well? What is your basis for this determination (e.g., the client was receptive, the client made steps towards change, etc…)?
What, if anything, was challenging or may have felt awkward? What may you do differently next time?
Discuss your thought process for choosing the intervention(s) that you did (e.g., what is it about this theoretical approach that seemed appropriate for this client)?
Did you feel any emotions toward the client? What were they and where did they come from (consider countertransference)?
How were your interventions and interactions with the client reflective of trauma-informed practices? Give some specific examples.
Where would you go from here with this client?
What skills/techniques may you want to further develop? How would you do this?