[ Contents | Search | Post | Reply | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Scott Palasik
Date: 11 Oct 2010
Time: 10:38:07 -0500
Remote Name: 131.95.172.211
Jackie, Hi! First, and most important I am so excited to hear that you have chosen this field. I hope you enjoy it for a long long time, It truly can be a great field where you can touch so many people (clients and families as well as other professionals by sharing your experiences and by asking questions, like you have today!!!)....Your questions are great and let me first start by saying that "counseling" is such a great skill that anyone can use in this field and it starts with "listening." As therapist we are so used to talking and drilling with clients, this time we can listen. Listening to not only what the clients say, but what they are not saying with words, with actions, gestures, eye movements, head movements... All kinds of cues can help us listen and then gear questions using some of the words we hear to get clients and families to "think" a bit more and hopefully share. Something that Jaime and I have learned from contextual psychology (ACT) is that if we share some of our struggles (when appropriate) we can connect with clients and we are also modeling "Sharing" behavior that we hope they can do! We like to get a people's values (as people) and discuss those values and get them to live their life in line with those values. We like to get at people's "anxiety" through their thoughts. Everyone can relate to loss, sadness, fears, and anxiety and that is how we can relate and help clients and families when we listen. This may seem vague and there is a whole psychological approach that we are trying to bring to stuttering, however the basics to it are: the "willingness" to accept thoughts (all thoughts)without judgment, getting in touch with our values, and commitment to living life in accordance with those values and the commitment to developing realistic goals to move toward the things that cause anxiety in order to live life toward our values, and becoming "flexible" with our thoughts - willing to see all sides, compassion for our thoughts and other's thoughts, thoughts are just language...I must apologize if this sounds like rambling, I wish I had more space and a video class here to share our philosophies... Any who (a Scrubs quote here), your phrase "client-clinician relationships" is vital and thank you for saying that. This relationship is based in the value of "being an honest and compassionate person." If you can be honest with them (parents and clients) they can be honest with you which is an instant connection that can foster a great relationship. We can say things with compassion, compassion is a great secret to effective communication (this philosophy dates back 4-5 thousand years)....Okay, now I'm rambling for sure!!!... Please feel free to ask us further questions and share any thoughts you have (sharing is great!!!)...Good luck in school and let us know how your career evolves!!! Have a great day, Scott