Overcoming reservations about therapy sessions

[?~?devilwithbleudress?~?]

Hiya

I started my first case study in Holistic Stress Management last week and felt so nosy about asking my client her weight (I have to fill in a questionnaire as provided by my tutor), that I gave her the form to complete while I made her a drink instead. I told my tutor this and she said I must complete the form with them. How do I get round feeling bad about asking personal questions?

Also, I felt like a bit of a fraud to be honest and was trying to remember key points I think are valid but probably sounding a little mad in the process. Is this just something that will inevitably get better in time?

As the course is not counselling, I have to make sure I am encouraging the client to take practical steps to improving her situation, yet I am finding it hard to find example which fit all 7 modalites - behaviour, emotion, sensory, imagery, cognitive, interpersonal and drugs/biology. Do I just fill in stuff where I can or try to push the client on certain areas to get a more rounded response from which to build a treatment plan?

Thanks for listening!
Abi

 

[emosrule]

I've not done this qualification so sadly, can't be of specific help.

I recall during my training being told to say and do things which at the time seemed a little out there or rehearsed, it does take time to really get into it. You may find grabbing some appropriate textbooks will help, as they will explain whyyou do what you've been told to do and should offer some practical tips to enhance the way in which you interact with your clients.

Do you have any specific examples of this bits you are struggling with? Do you have any examples of what you've done to give us pointers? Perhaps some of us can offer some practical tips for those to get you started.

The bit I hated most was asking people about their menstrual cycles and if they had any problems with their digestive system. The more you ask the question with confidence and conviction, the more convincing and reassuring you will be for your client.

 

[Osaka_L.A._Connect]

Hiya,

Just a quickie cos i've a client arriving in a mo ..... Using open questions is the best way forward .... "Tell me about your menstrual cycle/digestion" etc !!

I remember when i first started asking a client if her digestion was good. She replied yes. Her feet were telling me different. Once i questioned her further and asked again if she went to the loo everyday ... she replied no !! She only went once a week. To her that was completely normal, but she was going everday by the third treatment.

So keep it open then go into more detail. "tell me about your digestion"? "Do you go to the loo everyday"? "Any bloating"? etc etc.

It should be more like a natural flowing conversation than a question and answer session.

Gussie's right though .... be positive and confident and you're clients will open up to you much more !!!

Meridianmoon xx

 

[Milz Nerk]

If your client knows she is taking part in a case study she should be quite willing to answer all your questions. Once you have passed you can then make your own Consultation Form and ask all the question which you think appropriate, relative to the therapy and that you feel comfortable asking.

 

[Scout]

Abi, you know what I think - when you are with a client you need to put on the Therapist cap - take off your cap that says student or wife or daughter or whatever - you walk in that room, you are a therapist. There is certain information you need to know in order to do your job................. that's it - you are dealing in a confidential setting and it has nothing to do with nosy, that is all you have to get straight for yourself.

I think the rest is nicely covered above and I'm in a rush so I'll pop back later and see what others have to say.

Be confident!

 

[sieujuneitgikpedo]

besides which there is nothing preventing her from declining to answer her question - I dont answer that question or the ones about my ethnic origin (not therapy related but when you are filling in government forms)
its about personal choice - if your case study declines to answer then that is what you tell your tutor -

 

[cinqacsleaa]

Just out of curiosity, what on earth has someone's weight got to do with stress management?!

 

[Dan James]

Weight gain or inability to lose / gain weight can be exacerbated by stress, often people who are wound up, stressed out, or having inadequate sleep find that their weight doesn't fall, no matter what they try. Sometimes, by reevaluating things and reducing stress, the balance can change and weight can be more controlled.

Also, a poor body image can make people stressed, or unhappiness about weight in general, it can really affect emotions.

For those of us who workmore widely with weight loss / gain, there can be surprising links between weight gain and significant incidents in life, by addressing their impact, some people find that their relationship with food and their general health can be greatly improved.

 

[BLee, bby.]

Thankyou everyone for your insightful and helpful replies

Perhaps I need to do a little work on myself and fast - I do suffer from low confidence when it comes to being an authority on things with outsiders because I had a very controlling mother growing up and so inside, I often feel like a little girl getting it wrong still.

With my next case study, I will sit with the client and fill in the form with her and perhaps when it gets to the weight issue, just see what she says. If she says she doesn't want to tell me, maybe I ought to ask why out of interest and ask if she is happy with her weight. If she does tell me, perhaps I could still ask if she is happy with that weight? Does that sound reasonable?

Thanks!
Abi

 

[Jimmmy Carly]

Are these questions you have been given to ask? If so, then as someone said rewording them might help you. It might just be that you hate filling in forms!!

I'd guess that you've been told to fill them in with the client so that you can ask questions if you are unsure, or need more details for the treatments.

 

[syahir sephiroth]

Thanks Gussie, I didnt think of that, I guess I should have really as I know from experience that stress affects weight!

Abi, that sounds like a good plan, Im sure it will be fine, it's just a case of building up your confidence, which will happen by itself as you get more experienced. I think if people know WHY you are asking certain questions then they will be happier about answering them.

x

 

[rockerchick82]

Hello Abi,
Stop being so hard on your self.....you are doing case studies and they are all about finding out what works and what dosnt! Not every cleint will fit all 7 modalites, you can only work with whats you have been told. Have you done a basic id chart yet? I did pm you and give you a few pointers a while back. The weight question need to be asked and you really do need to be talking and filling in your Stress management consultation with your client.

At the end of the day this is a Hard subject to get your head round. Talk to your tutor...they should be guiding you through this learning stage.
Good luck
Rachelx

 

[erodseneups]

Hi -Just another take on this- I think you'll find that at first it'll seem very strange, difficult and contrived and the consultations may seem quite 'false'. But after some practise and with experience, you'll find it'll come more naturally and you'll begin to see yourself as a practitioner rather than a student or someone learning etc...which is half the battle.
This is just normal in the process of learning a skill- it's natural for it to feel 'wrong' at some point and for you to feel you make mistakes. Fear not, it'll pass and your skills will improve!
(You really have to start worrying when (if) you get to the point of asking the most intimate questions as if you're just asking their name and address, because you're so used to it)
Good luck! Hom

 

[jerseyshorelover]

Hi Abi,

You will gain in confidence the more case studies you do - and yes you may feel embarrassed or lacking in self-confidence - this just shows that you are a sensitive soul, like many therapists who want to help others.

You are there to get as much relevant information out of the client as possible to help you do your treatment. Please don't let the client do the questionnaire, they may skip very relevant questions -also while asking them questions. You can tell when you need to probe a bit further, they may hesitate, fidget or give you some clue to inform you that you need to ask more questions - its not just what they say, its body language too. They may start to cough or anything really. Be observant in a relaxed, friendly way. Eventually your interest in the person and the treatment will help you to overcome the problems you are having.

Some clients I have had have been particularly difficult about giving out information about themselves - yes they are stressed when they arrive and they also want to lie down and get on with the treatment. If this happens don't allow yourself to be intimidated by them, just explain why you need the information - to work out the most suitable treatment plan. Even the most irritable clients usually soften when I explain that the information I receive helps me to help them.

Luv Binah
x