Effective counseling techniques for counselors working in battered womens' shelters.
Case Study
Cindy is the name of the individual discussed in the article. This name is fictitious in order to protect the client's true-identity.
The police brought Cindy to the domestic violence shelter one evening. Covered with multiple bruises and lacerations it was apparent Cindy was suffering from severe physical and psychological trauma. Not having eaten for three days, the client was trembling and having great difficulty in pronouncing words. Having no clothes, money, family, transportation, or friends, Cindy appeared confused, exhausted, disoriented, and in shock.
Counseling Techniques
For counselors to be effective in helping clients transition from the shelter to a more controlled life, the following strategies are recommended.
Day 1 - Assess Immediate Needs
- Provide clients with warm food, hygiene products, clothing, and a place to sleep
Day 2 - Gather Data
- Observe and document the client's behaviors
- Provide information regarding policies, rules, and regulations of the shelter
Observation: Cindy exhibited symptoms of shock in the counseling session indicated by the following behaviors: withdrawal, stuttering, disorientation, hyperactivity, and difficulty in completing sentences.
Day 3 - Build Trust in the Client/Counselor Relationship
- Affirm and validate the client's feelings concerning the abusive situation
- Avoid any discussion of earlier traumatic experiences to avoid further traumatization
- Provide information concerning dysfunctional and abusive relationships
Observation: Cindy was invited in for a chat. Listening to the anger and shared experiences of earlier abuse, it was apparent the client had suffered severe psychological pain. Cindy was told the wounds would take time to heal and the feelings were normal. Cindy exhibited symptoms of depression and seemed like a pressure cooker ready to explode. It is possible; the client was also suffering from post traumatic stress.
Day 4 - Client History
- Develop a more comprehensive profile of the client’s past (i.e., family, jobs, and friends)
Observation: Cindy mentioned early experiences with childhood incest. The client believed this information should be kept a secret and never discussed. As a counselor, there was concern for the psychological impact this repression had on Cindy’s life. In documentation, made note this issue should be explored in more detail in a controlled clinical setting.
Cindy had erratic speech, disorganized thought patterns, smoked constantly, and held concerns for getting fat from eating too much. Meditative music was used in the counseling session. Cindy calmed down and was able to regain some measure of control.
Day 5 - Practical Solutions
- Help the client examine and discover personal strengths
- Teach coping skills for handling future crises
- Discuss methods for seeking employment, transportation, a place of residence, and appropriate legal action
Day 6 - Taking Concrete Action
- Prepare the client for job interviews
- Discuss the lethality of contacting the abuser in the future
- Discuss the importance of emotional support
- Provide resources for social services
Day 7 - Exit Day Follow-up
- Ensure the client has accomplished the temporary goals
- Provide the client with the number of the shelter for future needs
