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From: Jaime Hannan
Date: 13 Oct 2010
Time: 12:29:25 -0500
Remote Name: 205.142.197.108
Jennifer, thanks so much for your kind words about our article and responses to posts. It has been great to get so many thoughts and questions from readers. I am enjoying the discussion and learning a lot from all of you as well! I will add on a little more to what Scott said in his response. I would definitely agree that time is a major factor - huge caseloads can make talking with parents challenging. Also, in the case of a school setting, the SLP may have limited interaction with the parent. In these cases, phone calls or even emails may be useful methods of commuication. I believe that the important thing is that the parent knows that you are a resource for them as well - you are not solely "treating" their child, but willing to listen and help the family as much as you can. I actually had one of my client's parents say to me..."I don't want you to waste therapy time talking with me." To which I replied, "Therapy includes working not only with the client, but all of those associated with the client." It truly is a team approach - which could expand to include teachers and other professionals that work with the child too. Sometimes spending time talking with other professionals who work with the child can be useful as well - and have a really positive outcome. As far as your question about preferences for group or individual sessions, I think it depends on what each particular clinician is comfortable with - or the way that they feel they are able to be the most effective therapist. I prefer to seperate the child and family member when I can because I want both parties to feel comfortable opening up and being honest. Additionally, I have realized that even if a young child does not understand what his/her parent are talking about with the clinician - that the child can sense fear, stress, anxiety, etc. Children are incredibly perceptive. With that said, however, sometimes working with both parties at the same time is great too. Experiment, experiment, experiment! :) As far as schooling, I did have a counseling class in graduate school. I also have always been extremely interested in psychology and took many psychology classes in my undergraduate. I think, however, that most of my learning came from my clinical experiences - being thrown into using a counseling approach with one of my clients. I was terrified at first and felt clueless, but each day I learned...and I am still continuing to do so. I have also realized that this is an area of interest for me and have begun to read and research it - and hope to attend some conferences in the future. As far as "not losing sleep over my clients" - I am still working on that...it can be really hard at times...and I think it is part of working in a "helping profession." I don't think that it is necessarily a bad thing, as long as you are able to keep that balance. Balance...the goal of life, I like to think! I hope this helped. Feel free to ask any more questions that you have. Like Scott said, we love to talk about this topic! Jaime.