Human Service Scenario Analysis
An interview taking place between a human service professional and a client is the beginning to a professional relationship. The human service professional must be able to communicate effectively, establish an effective working relationship, discuss boundary issues, address any attending behavioral issues, helping techniques, non-verbal communication, address special communication needs, cultural specifics sensitivities pertaining to diversity, discuss other groups related to this scenario, and any recommendations needed to further assist the client.The presenting case scenario will be used referring to Natacha Pierre, a 26 year old Haitian immigrant, who is clinically depressed due to her 2 children being in foster care because of educational neglect.
Natacha Pierre was referred by her social worker at Child Protective Services (CPS) to receive parenting classes and an individual mental health assessment to assist with the reunification process to gain custody back of her children. The goal of the human service professional to ensure Ms.Acosta completes mandated court services and return to parent once services are completed. The first interview will take place at the home to assess where the children sleep, the surroundings, communicate with Ms. Pierre about her depression, and make referrals if necessary.
The sole purpose of this interview is to actively listen and develop a communication style to figure out what the triggers are contributing to the depression and how get her children out of foster care. According to HM Management Space (2008), “Individual differences exist and are important.Length of eye contact, use of gestures, speech patterns, facial expressions, and the degree of assertiveness people project to others are some of the characteristics of a personal communication style. Eye contact is important so I will ensure to listen and write down any pertinent information. I chose to speak in a soft tone so Ms. Pierre knows I am here to help and not judge.
My purpose for today’s home visit is work on getting her children back. My communication style is non-directive in order to allow Ms. Pierre to set the pace and feel comfortable during the interview process.Before the interview starts I will set boundaries so both she and I are safe and we are both comfortable. I prefer to give Natacha the opportunity to set the pace and agenda in order to give her a sense of control so I can gain her trust during the interview.
I will also request that certain boundaries be drawn in reference to safety and honesty. It is important to establish boundaries during the interview process so both Natacha and I are comfortable. “Establishing boundaries makes you a safe person. People know where they stand with you. Boundaries are important factors when interviewing a client.We have both a right and a duty to protect and defend ourselves” (Johnson State College, 2013).
I will attempt self-disclose situations; I have encountered in my personal or professional career and request that if she begins to feel uncomfortable she advise me instantly. Our working relationship will be based upon respect for each other’s feelings and to allow each of us to communicate effectively without being interrupted. Allowing Natacha to open up and communicate her feelings about her children being removed from the home may allow her feel some sense of stability for once.In communicating and setting boundaries; I will address the depression and the other behaviors associated with them. The helping techniques I would use to further assist Natacha is cognitive behavior therapy.
“Cognitive therapy represents a significant breakthrough in the treatment and prevention of depression, anxiety, and many other psychological disorders. Although cognitive therapy is a short-termed it can produce rapid improvement” (Cognitive Therapy New York). Depression is common in many people especially when certain events take place or in Natacha’s case her children being removed from her home.She expressed not having the support to take care of her children and becoming overwhelmed. Her non-verbal communication has shown me that she is comfortable expressing her road to depression, and also expressing how happy someone came to help her with her issues.
Natacha was very polite, mild mannered, and smiled during the interview process which confirmed her level of comfort with my presence and conversation we were having. If she had a look of worry, jitters, or difficulty looking at me when we communicated I would assume she is uncomfortable with our interview. Examples of non-verbal communication are: eye contact, gesture, dress, smell, and it is labeled to be an important method of communication because it is one of the key aspects of communication (and especially important in a high-context culture)” (Andrews University, 2013). I will ensure to ask her if she is comfortable speaking to me or does she need to take a break from discussing sensitive topics. Several issues were discussed during the interview process and Natacha has expressed to me she belongs to a Haitian community church, but since being clinically diagnosed with depression she has not been to church in weeks.
Natacha does speak good English considering her Haitian descent, but would like for me to refer her to any Haitian community based groups so she has support from her peers. Natacha expressed because she has no family here in the United States but her children she would like to be a part of a family based group so she can relate to other Haitian immigrants. Support groups are intended to ensure the person is not alone and I think along with her parenting classes and mental health therapy, Natacha would prosper. “Support groups are made up of people with common interests and experiences.People who have been through, or are going through, a similar circumstance can do more than sympathize with you — they can relate to what you are going through” (Randall, 2011).
Natacha would benefit from these types of services, but I would be the person to make the referrals and ensure she obtains full custody of her children. The types of groups that are related to Natacha’s scenario are immigrants because of the lack of support whether from family or his or her ethnic groups.
