Going into my Dyad, my initial feeling was nervousness. Although I had the information of the client in front of me I was not sure how things were going to play out and if I would end up asking the right questions. First, I introduced myself as the client’s Social Worker and offered her a seat. I then walked her through the confidentiality guidelines and how she can feel free to let me know whatever she would want me to know. | explained to the client that whatever is said during the session would not leave the room unless I suspect that she is a threat to herself or others.
This was something that I felt was important because establishing confidentiality allows to create a safer space and helps the client understand that I am doing my job as a mandated reporter. I did however feel that it hindered the client in a way because it may have made her feel uncomfortable to express anything that she may end up doing that could have been prevented. When we sat in the seats to commence the session, I couldn’t help but think that everyone in the class will be watching me and I was the one to go first which made it even more nerve-racking.
Once I sat down and my client began to speak, I felt more at ease. I felt more comfortable, while still being somewhat aware that I was being observed, when I began to listen to my clients issue. I eased into it more because I am used to talking to my friends about their issues and helping the come to a solution so it all felt right to me. I was so focused in on my client to the point where I felt like at some point I was not being loud enough.
Toward the end of the session I realized how comfortable I was getting and I heard myself using my “inside voice. I did not allow much to distract me not only because I was focused and interested, but also because I knew if I diverted my attention even for a second, I would end up losing my train of thought and missing out on whatever the client may have said in the moment. I am the type of person that has a pretty short attention span so it was very important for me to maintain constant eye contact or just focusing in on the client at the least in order for the session to continue on effectively.
The one thing that I felt slightly distracted by was my own facial expressions. I am known for my comical and also vague facial expressions so I would try to control my facial expressions the best I could even though I did feel my face tense up a few times. To close the session, I offered a few suggestions to the client that would probably help her with her situation and waited a little while before I asked her if she wanted to talk about anything else.
I waited a little after offering my suggestions in case she had any questions about my suggestions or anything else. After I took the short pause, I asked her myself if there was anything else that she wanted to talk about and after she said no, I kindly smiled and brought the session to a close. The process of the session made me feel nervous at first, but I realized that all I have to do is to just calm down and let the client say everything that she needs to say.
I told myself that all I need is to “shut up and listen. ” The main reason that I was experiencing nerves is because I was so worried about what I would say, but rushing to try and say things could have resulted in a messy session and unsolved problems. I realized that even though I was the one being observed at the present moment, and everyone was mainly paying attention to what I was saying, I did not have to rush and try to speak just for the heck of it, and that listening was more important in that moment.
The content of the session was interesting. There was a certain point of the session where the client explained something to me about a family member and I tried not to make a face because I thought it was strange. I’m not sure whether I made a face or not, but she shared an interesting piece of information with me about her aunt and as a result I asked for her age in order to understand things better.
Three things that I feel that I did well in the session was stablishing confidentiality before the start of the session, listening to everything my client had to say before I made any suggestions and asked any questions, and not necessarily tell the client what they should do, but offering suggestions to help Three things that I wish I had done differently would be to give more empathic responses to my client rather than just having no reaction, having more control over my facial expressions, and not getting too comfortable by speaking louder.
Overall, one of the main things that I learned from facilitating that session was that listening is key, yes it may be my job to help the person, but what I say, always depends on what the client says and that there is no need to overthink things too much.
