Cingolani says that one can solve issues with engaging involuntary clients using two perspectives: the therapeautic perspective or the social conflict perspective. According to the therapeautic perspective, problems with client engagement can be defined as ‘conflicts that block the client from being able to assume the proper role within the individual therapist-client relationship’ (Cingolani 1984, p. 444). The most realistic way to conceptualize the therapist-client relationship is as continuously changing and one that is always being negotiated by both parties. In this view, problems with engagement can be viewed as incomplete/failed negotiations. What is at stake for the involved parties can also heavily impact the amount of client engagement. For instance, if you are helping an adolescent and
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The adolescent won’t see any alternatives to seeing you, but could use manipulation or defiant behavior to defend themselves and their family from the perceived threat (Cingolani 1984, p. 445). Based on what I’ve learned from my interview and through my research, the following is a sequence of steps that I would take to engage a client in the initial sessions: 1. Before the initial session, call the client a few days before to introduce yourself and get to know them a bit. Ask them about themselves, but do not probe. Ask questions such as, “How was your day?” and “Tell me about yourself. How do you feel about seeing a therapist?”. I think that is important information for me to know because I will know what to expect before they come in and mentally prepare myself. Tell them a bit about myself and my practice, but keep it brief at this point. The purpose of this phone call is to begin to alleviate some of the uncomfortable feelings and awkwardness that will undoubtably arise during the initial session. 2. At the initial session, make the client comfortable by providing comfortable seating, kleenex, and other items to
The adolescent won’t see any alternatives to seeing you, but could use manipulation or defiant behavior to defend themselves and their family from the perceived threat (Cingolani 1984, p. 445). Based on what I’ve learned from my interview and through my research, the following is a sequence of steps that I would take to engage a client in the initial sessions: 1. Before the initial session, call the client a few days before to introduce yourself and get to know them a bit. Ask them about themselves, but do not probe. Ask questions such as, “How was your day?” and “Tell me about yourself. How do you feel about seeing a therapist?”. I think that is important information for me to know because I will know what to expect before they come in and mentally prepare myself. Tell them a bit about myself and my practice, but keep it brief at this point. The purpose of this phone call is to begin to alleviate some of the uncomfortable feelings and awkwardness that will undoubtably arise during the initial session. 2. At the initial session, make the client comfortable by providing comfortable seating, kleenex, and other items to