2. • When working with clients it is important to understand the hx of the problem as
well as what is happening in the moment. “When did the problem begin?”
Clarification is important during this time. “What made you come to therapy at
this time?”
• The evaluation that is done with the client captures SA hx as well as psychological
challenges, trauma hx, developmental hx, social hx, past psych hx. This will give
you information on your client.
3. • Learning about the social environment –
• Where does the client live and who resides with them.
• Hx or current Interpersonal violence (formally know as Domestic Violence). Is this
environment safe at this time?
• Supports?
• The above questions all impact the client’s ability to heal from their challenges or
help tp keep them stuck in their challenges.
4. • Learning about the social environment –
• Current life stressors and how are you managing these?
• Job changes recently
• Moving?
• Deaths in the family
• We have to see the PIE (person in environment) perspective so that we can
understand our client fully and this helps to see them as the “whole person.”
5. • Focusing on Strengths and Positive Actions –
• Strengths perspective would tell us to look for the strength of the client and ways
that they have lived through difficult situations. In the moment of
distress/depression/anxiety – clients do not take note of this – we have to help
hold on to the strengths as therapists and give it back to the client at a pace they
can handle as we do not want to minimize their challenges.
6. • Focusing on Strengths and Positive Actions –
• We want to help change perspective and to help the client feel positive emotions
by paying attention to positive experiences.
• This helps to increase hope!
• Look at past situations and look at how past situations have been solved.
• Where was the client resilient?
• Help the client to identify their own strengths – refer to p.g. 181 (textbook).
7. • Respect – When we focus on strengths, we focus on respect. Attending and
active listening displays respect.
• In-class exercise
• On p.g. 186 Get in groups of three and do Exercise 10.
