Question

Jared, a client you treated two years ago for depression, presents in your office after being released from an inpatient alcohol treatment center. He states that he encountered problems after losing his job last year and was drinking heavily when he was home alone all day. After Jared fell and injured himself severely one day, his partner Kyle insisted that he go into inpatient treatment. Now Jared says he needs to see a counselor as part of his aftercare plan. Jared and Kyle have been partners for the past four years, and own their home together. Kyle is an active member of his church and has a job that provides income. Jared wants to return to being a contributing member of their family as well. He also wants to build new relationships and is considering joining a sobriety group at Kyle's church, but he hesitates because he says he feels confused about his own spiritual beliefs. Jared says he wants to feel better about himself and his life; he wants to avoid slipping back into depression and using alcohol to feel better. It appears that Jared's best chance at remaining sober is to receive comprehensive services. In your post, address the following:

1) Describe three counseling competencies that will guide you in sensitively working with Jared.

2) Create a list of five local community resources that will be helpful for Jared in regaining wellness and maintaining his recovery.

Answer 1

1) The three counselling competencies to guide Jared sentitively is:

1. patient andcounsellor trust- this is the most important as it would give him ease and comfort to be able to speak the truth and be very honest and open. Doing this he might be able to come clean of whatever he is going through. He can be open when he know that someone is listening and that he is the priority.

2. Show empathy- it is not enough that we listen to jared it is also important that he fells like he is being understood and not alone in this situation. He must feel like he is being able to progress there fore it is important to be able to verbally or non verblly be ble to epress empathy to him.

3. Spend time and respect- This is vital especially to someone who has gone through alot. It is important to show that that whatever they have done they are still repected and that it is only normal thing to do in their situation. It is also crucial inthis situation that they need utmost time as they would need a lot of patience and time to get over this with complete sensitivity.

2) The local communities that Jared can be part of are:

1. a wellness and recreational center like the gym or a sports arena where he can vent out instead of just sitting at home himself.

2. heling out in a community by doing local or charity work like in a soup kichen and things which keeps him occupied

3. organizing a drive or helping someone which would keep him occuppied.

4 joining in Kyles church even though it will be uncomfortable at first but it is a good way to communicate and get to know more people in that community.

5. doing some activity that he enjoys like knitting or fixing a motorcycle which would make him feel busy.