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A Client Who Tells Offensive Jokes

Friday, August 8th, 2008

You have a client of the opposite sex who is coming to see you weekly about problems with family and social relationships. He/she has been attending sessions with you for two months and seems likely to be a long-term client. Although initially very quiet and reluctant to discuss issues, you have succeeded in gaining his/her confidence.

The sessions are proceeding well, but as the client is leaving each week he/she always tells you a couple of jokes of a kind which you find offensive. While not wanting to upset the client you are finding this situation increasingly uncomfortable.

How would you deal with this dilemma?

Posted in Counselling Dilemmas | 2 Comments »

A Case of Acceptance and Letting Go

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

Category: Therapies and Approaches
Author: Kaye Laemmle

Elizabeth came to counselling because she was experiencing intense anger, and was not coping with her life. She complained of failed relationships with her ex-husband, and with another man whom she left her husband to be with.

Elizabeth cannot move on from the anger she feels about her failed relationships and she is feeling isolated from her family and friends. This had an effect on her ability to cope with her work. As a consequence, Elizabeth has sold her successful business.

The Professional Counsellor saw Elizabeth for 5 months and used an eclectic approach with her, including techniques from Cognitive-Behaviour therapy and Solution Focussed therapy.

Full version: Click Here

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A Client with Depressive Behaviour

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008

Melody has come for counselling to deal with the death of her husband. You have been counselling her for four weeks and in that time Melody has reported that she feels “depressed”. In addition, she complains of being constantly tired and lacking motivation to do simple tasks such as showering and cooking for herself.

As you have no formal qualifications or training to diagnose or treat psychological disorders such as depression, you encourage Melody to visit a GP to have her symptoms assessed. In the next session, Melody reported that her GP had not given her a diagnosis; however he had prescribed an eight week course of anti-depressant medication.

Given this outcome, would you continue to counsel Melody?

Posted in Counselling Dilemmas | 3 Comments »

A Case of Social Anxiety

Monday, February 11th, 2008

Category: Stress Issues
Author: Leanne Chapman

Sasha is a 60 year old woman who has recently retired from a career in teaching. Working for many years in a secondary school environment, Sasha was confident, motivated and dedicated to her work, but at the same time looking forward to retirement so she and her husband could travel and spend more time with their adult children who lived nearby.

However upon finishing work, Sasha found herself experiencing severe anxiety, particularly when around other people, and began not wanting to leave the house or invite people into the house. She also experienced bouts of crying when attempting to complete tasks such as housework and using the sewing machine. Sasha found her symptoms eased when she and her husband went on camping trips in national parks where they often did not see other people for days.

While working with Sasha, the Professional Counsellor adopts strategies from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Gestalt frameworks in order to address any irrational thoughts and behaviours which may be maintaining Sasha’s anxiety, and to complete any unfinished business which may have led to the development of her anxieties in the first place.

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A Case of Using Logical Consequences

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

Category: Therapies and Approaches
Author: Grahame Smith

Richard is a 41-year-old plant operator in a heavy machinery company. He works long hours and must start very early each day. Twelve months ago he accepted a transfer from a country location to a capital city 250 kilometres away from his family. Due to financial obligations this was seen as a necessity. He travelled back to see his family on weekends. He has a wife and 4 children to support.

His wife Amy is 38 yrs old, has 4 young children and works 2 days per week as a shop assistant. She now regrets the decision they both made for Richard to work so far away. The weekends he comes back to her and the children are getting fewer and when he does return, all they seem to do is argue. Amy is frightened that her marriage will fail and is also concerned Richard has found another women (Richard had an affair 15 yrs earlier soon after they had married). They both decided to come and see me for marriage counselling.

Amy has discovered that Richard is having an affair. He has experienced an emotional breakdown and is in hospital. Amy was clearly very upset. However, she was able to indicate that she had come to see me so she could decide what she would do about her marriage.

Full version: Click Here

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