1st Phase of Treatment

Abstract

This Podcast will talk about the first phase treatment also referred to as helping process. During the first meeting of the first phase of treatment the client and worker usually take this time to resolve the clients’ problem and promote their clients problem solving skills. The main region of concern in the first phase of treatment include exploring the client’s problem, establishing rapport and enhancing motivation, formulating a multi-dimensional assessment, mutually negotiating goals and formulating a contract, and finally making referrals.

Introduction

In the first phase of treatment or the helping process, is established at the beginning of the treatment phase, and focuses on the clients presenting problems. If the client I’m working with has been mandated by the courts, the primary concern would be to first focus on their specific legal issue. The next step in this process would be to place emphasis on any serious health and safety concerns that may require immediate attention.  An example of this would include if the client is a danger to themselves or others. Assessing if the client is a clinical risk should be establish

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During the first meeting with the client which is also known as the intake process, the goal is to find out the clients presenting problems. Usually we find that the presenting problem is the client’s true understanding of why he or she truly needs help. As social workers we must realize that the issue that the clients have come in for may in fact be the primary problem but not the real presenting problem. In an effort to make sense of the true presenting problem the social worker should ask open-ended questions. By asking open ended questions you allow the client to describe the event and in an effort to find out in greater detail about the clients presenting problem the social worker may also ask closed-ended questions. Lastly during this intake the social worker should also pay attention to the body language and emotions of the client when answering the open-ended and close-ended questions.  

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In addition to finding out the presenting problem another important thing to do during the first phase of treatment is to build a rapport with the client. The first meeting with the client is the most important because it can determine the willingness to disclose information to the worker. So in order to do so the social worker should be sure to be attentive during the interview and other meetings the worker and client have in order to show the client that they are being listened to and the worker is trying to relate and be understanding to the clients problems. 

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In an effort to build a great rapport the worker may want to self-disclose a little bit, in order to kind show the client that the worker can relate to their problems. The worker should also demonstrate signs of empathy, which will encourage trust and understanding with the client, for that reason the worker should always be aware of verbal as well as non-verbal response. During this time it is also great to let the client know about the confidentiality agreement as well as the client’s right to self determination. It’s important to let the client know that the things discussed between the client and the worker will never leave the room and self determination allows the client to making the overall decision to following the treatment plan the client and worker made or not.

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An important concept in the treatment phase is the assessment. The assessment is used to make out the needs and wants of the client as well as the workers evaluation of the client.  An assessment should be documented after each interview with the client. All assessments must be authorized.

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            A multi-dimensional assessment allows the worker to collect relevant information in order to help them develop a picture of the clients and their conditions. The significance of the intake process is so that the social worker is able to create a Bio-psychosocial. A Bio-psychosocial is short for biological, psychological, and social aspects of the client. Paying attention to the clients’ culture can be very important it is found that most times if the client suffers from a mental disorder they in some way may be due to certain cultures.

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Intervention is anything that a social worker does for the client. Intervention should be based on a precise and complete assessment of the problem. This is the time where the worker makes sure that they took into account the best solutions for the client and provided them with all the services they needed, while also allowing the client the right to self determination. 

What is most interesting about this podcast?

The most interesting portion of the podcast for me was the intake also known as the first meeting. I think that all workers should take into account how important the first meeting is, this is the meeting that determines how much and even if the client will feel comfortable enough to confide in you, it’s also a deciding factor if the client will even come back. Social workers need to make sure that they don’t let their bad day and attitude show when meeting with clients. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.

What can you share with other students about this podcast?

Building a great rapport with clients is very important as well as allowing the client the right to self determination. The client should never feel forced to do things they are not ready for or don’t even want to do. The client needs to decide for themselves what they should do or what they are ready for. The client should feel they can trust their worker and that the worker has their best interest at heart.

Reference

The First Phase of Treatment in Direct Social Work. Association of Social Work Boards, Audio.