The person I was helping was a 14 year old client who was trying to decide on an education and plan to help her determine what courses to focus on in high school.
1. What were your motives for helping this person?
My motives for helping her were purely from unconditional positive regard and respect for her goals. She is one of my counseling clients and we have developed a great rapport.
2. Did you benefit from this relationship in any way? How?
The benefit I draw from the relationship is satisfaction and gladness as she develops, grows, and reaches milestones and her goals. It confirms that my helping skills are effective.
3. What was your role in the helping relationship? In what way do you think you helped this person? Looking back, is there anything that you might have done differently?
My role within the helping relationship was as a guide and support. I suggested we work on a vision board. First we discussed her interests, strengths, and abilities. She came up with a a preliminary plan. First we looked up Howard University and she selected pictures that drew her eye and I printed them. Then we spent the next 2-3 sessions talking as we cut out words and pictures from magazines that fit within her vision. One thing that I would do differently is focus on compartmentalizing a bit more as time went on it seemed as if we shifted into a mentor-mentee role though I would reflect her questions back so she could ponder them.
4. Was there anything that this person did, said, or believed that you did not agree with? How did you react?
There were times when she would regress and behave such as a typical teenage girl seeking approval, love, and friendships. I would meet her with understanding and guide her towards interventions that would help her determine what are positive associations and what a true friend looks like.
5. Did you learn anything from this relationship?
Although I have been adamant that I prefer not to work with children, teenage girls are one of the populations that I am suited to help. I learned that I am able to develop a great therapeutic bond with teenagers.