Support Counselling Clients in Decision-Making Processes CHCCSL007

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CHCCSL007
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Assessment Book 3

DIPLOMA OF MENTAL HEALTH

TOPIC

Support Counselling Clients in Decision-Making Processes

CHCCSL007

Assessment Instructions

All of the information that you need to complete your assessment tasks are included in your Study Guide and associated Readings. Before attempting to complete this Assessment Book you must read through all of the information supplied to you in the Study Guide and Readings for this unit. You are required to complete all assessment questions successfully in order to be deemed competent in this unit.

This Assessment Book is designed to assess your knowledge. Copying sentences and blocks of text directly from your Study Guide, Readings, or other documents does not demonstrate your understanding of the topic. Neither does copying the work of another student. Such practices are regarded as plagiarism and will not be tolerated. (Please see your Student Handbook for further information regarding Plagiarism).

A guideline for the number of words required for a response is included to give you an idea of the depth of information that is required to successfully answer the question. If you are well under the approximate number of words you may need to ask yourself whether you have been too superficial in your response. If you are well over the word limit, then you may need to ask yourself whether you have included irrelevant information or repeated yourself unnecessarily.

If you do not understand what is required for you to complete an assessment, please contact an Education Adviser.

Important Note:

When an assessment item asks you to write what you would say to a client, this means that you need to write, word for word, what you could say to the client if you were in session. These items assess your ability to generate appropriate responses and demonstrate important skills in the counselling context. As such, it is not acceptable to write out the topics you would cover. Rather, you need to imagine that you are in the session with the client and write out how you would verbally respond in the scenario. We have provided an example to indicate how you should approach this type of assessment item.

Assessment Item:

Karen has come to counselling after the end of a long-term friendship. Karen has been struggling to make sense of how the friendship ended and is also wondering why she is in so much pain. She says that she is as hurt by this friendship ending as she has been by the worst break-ups she has been through, and she worries she is over-reacting or having a mental breakdown. What would you say to Karen to normalise this experience? (Your response should be approximately 70 words.)

Response:

Karen, although we dont often see the pain of friendship loss represented in television shows or movie or pop songs, and we only seem to talk about relationship loss in terms of romantic relationships, the loss of a friendship can be just as significant. The loss of an important friendship brings on grief, just the way the loss of any other kind of important relationship does.

Submitting an Assessment Book

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Assessment Summary

Please find below the results of your first submission (this will be completed by your assessor after your Assessment Book has been submitted)

Result	Date Assessed	Assessor Name	Assessor Initials

Questions to resubmit (if first submission is not yet competent)

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Please find below the results of your resubmission (this will be completed by your assessor after your Assessment Book has been resubmitted)

Resubmission Result	Date Assessed	Assessor Name	Assessor Initials

Section 1 AN INTRODUCTION TO DECISION MAKING

Introduction to Decision-Making/Problem-Solving

1.1 Select whether the following statements are True or False.

Counsellors often help clients in the decision-making process by assisting them to identify, explore, or develop an appropriate course of action/solution to the problem that they have encountered.

True False

2. One way in which counsellors may assist clients in the decision-making/problem solving process is by helping clients change their emotional reactions and coping abilities.

True False

3. In some cases, the difficulties that clients have in making decisions and solving problems may be linked to a lack of flexibility and over-reliance on one style of decision-making in situations where other styles would be more appropriate.

True False

1.2 Complete the table below by identifying which decision-making style each of the clients are most likely displaying.

Client	Decision-Making Style
Mark tends to be guided by his gut. He makes decisions based on hunches.
Kyra gathers all the information and facts relevant to a particular issue and systematically evaluates the evidence before making a decision.
Evelyn never makes a decision without consulting her husband. Even if she doesnt really agree, she goes along with what he recommends.
Mina passes an auction, likes the house, and decides to bid on it even though she is not currently in the market for a new home. She ends up winning.
It is one day before university applications close. Indira has still not decided which university to apply to. She decides she will just wait a bit longer maybe the answer will come to her later.

1.3 Briefly outline three key counsellor tasks involved in helping a client through a structured problem-solving/decision making process. (Your response should be approximately 75 words)

The Seven Step Problem-Solving Approach

1.4 In your Study Guide, you learned about the seven step problem-solving model that counsellors often use to help guide their clients through the decision-making process. List the steps you would need to take as a counsellor using this approach. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

1. Clarify and Define The Problem

1.5 During which stage or stages of the counselling process is a counsellor most likely to help the client clarify and define the problem? (Your response should be approximately 20 words)

2. Establishing Realistic Goals

1.6 Why are counsellors interested in assisting their clients to identify specific goals to work towards? (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

1.7 Identify and briefly describe four techniques which counsellors can use to encourage clients to identify and explore their aims, requirements and ideas. (Your response should be approximately 150 words)

1.8 Read the following counsellor statements and identify which technique the counsellor is using. (Hint: Refer to pages 15-16 of your Study Guide).

Counsellor Statement	Technique
You mentioned that Sarah seems to have her life together. What is it about Sarahs life that makes you think that?
On one hand youre saying that youre happy staying on benefits, yet youre also saying how bored you are at home and how youd like to have more money.
Imagine its been two years and youve worked really hard to change your life. What do things look like? What are you doing? Who do you spend time with?

1.9 Select whether the following statements are True or False.

Long-term goals can be described as goals that the client hopes to achieve over the next few weeks.

True False

2. Counsellors often assist clients in developing specific goals to work towards from a clients initial broad goals.

True False

3. Counsellors should seek to ensure that the client is setting realistic goals for themselves.

True False

4.One factor that counsellors should consider when helping the client to set realistic goals is to consider whether the client has the resources (or ability to develop the resources) required to achieve their goal.

True False

5. Goals that relate to changing the behaviour of other people (rather than the client) are likely to be more effective than goals relating to the clients own behaviour.

True False

1.10 The SMART model can be used to help clients identify practical goals. Briefly outline the five elements of the SMART model and explain, in your own words, how using these elements can help to make goal setting more effective. (Your response should be approximately 200 words)

1.11 John is 45 years old and married with three children. He and his family have recently moved to Sydney from Brisbane and he is still feeling unsettled. His new job is demanding and requires a lot of overtime. He has not made any friends and spends his weekends catching up on paperwork. He is tired, feels down and has back pain.

Johns relationship with his wife is strained she did not want to move and has made no attempt to find another job. The family has incurred substantial expenses due to the move and his wife has been spending a lot of money on new clothes and jewellery resulting in significant financial strain. John feels worried and stressed all the time.

a) Identify three possible issues or problems that John and his counsellor could focus on in counselling. (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

b) Choose one of the issues or problems that you identified in the question above and write down a practical goal that would address the issue or problem. (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

c) Imagine that John says his goal is to get his wife to want to go back into work to ease the financial pressure. Why might this goal difficult to achieve? (Your response should be approximately 30 words)

1.12 Not all client issues and client goals are suitable for counselling work. In some cases, the clients aims and requirements cannot be met by the counsellor and referral to alternative sources of support may be required. Read the following scenarios and select any scenarios in which clients aims and requirements are unlikely to be met within a counselling context, and would thus require referral.

Client Scenario	Select if referral is likely to be required
Shane is experiencing bullying at work and isnt sure how to manage the situation. He has decided to seek out counselling to explore his options.
Dawn experienced a violent home invasion three months ago. She is still experiencing frequent flashbacks and high levels of distress. She has not previously spoken to anyone or received any treatment for her symptoms. Dawn thinks that her symptoms are getting worse so she has decided to see a counsellor.
Prajeet is interested in making a career change and wants to explore his options.
Ray is having some difficulties parenting his teenage son. They regularly argue over what Ray thinks are trivial matters. Ray wants to learn more effective ways of communicating with his son and managing his anger.
Emilys parents bring her to counselling as she is suffering from a serious eating disorder. Emily does not think she has a problem and refuses to engage in counselling. Emilys parents are deeply concerned because Emily is now dangerously underweight.

1.13 Complete the table below by selecting which alternative source of support would be most appropriate for referral based on each of the client needs.

Client Needs	Alternative Services
Supported withdrawal from alcohol.
Help managing severe depression.
Support leaving a violent partner.
Managing significant conflict in a relationship.

3. Generate Multiple Solutions

1.14 Select whether the following statements are True or False.

It is up to you as the counsellor to come up with potential options and solutions for the client.

True False

2. Brainstorming means coming up with an ideal option straight away.

True False

3. Open questions are more effective than closed questions in a brainstorming process.

True False

1.15 Imagine that you are working with a client and you are interested in brainstorming potential courses of action to help them achieve their goals. Briefly describe, in your own words, three things that you should keep in mind to help make the brainstorming process effective. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

Evaluate and Compare Solutions

1.16 Describe, in your own words, four factors which may influence a clients choice of, or ability to achieve, a particular course of action. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

1.17 When exploring potential courses of action with a client, counsellor should encourage clients to consider the potential implications and consequences of each course of action. List two personal and two social consequences counsellors should encourage clients to explore. (Your response should be approximately 100 words)

1.18 Mike, a married father of two young children, is very unhappy in his current job as a truck driver. His counsellor used the seven-step model to help him decide what to do and they have brainstormed a number of options.

a) What could the counsellor say to Mike to help him assess the possible advantages and disadvantages of each option? List two questions that the counsellor could ask. (Your response should be approximately 20 words)

b) One of the options that Mike and his counsellor identify is to return to study full time to complete a Diploma in Counselling. Consider Mikes situation and list two potential pros and two potential cons that Mike would be likely to identify in regard to this proposed course of action. (Your response should be approximately 75 words)

Pros	Cons

5. Decide on a Feasible, Appropriate, Solution

1.19 What are contingency plans and why are they important? (Your response should be approximately 75 words)

1.20 What should a counsellor do immediately after client actions and contingency plans have been decided on and agreed?

Document the clients decision in the counselling plan.
Evaluate the outcome of the options
Assess pros and cons of potential courses of action.

Your response:

6. Implement the Solution AND 7. Evaluate the Outcome

1.21 Select whether the following statements are True or False.

Counsellors generally offer clients on-going support as the client implements the solution that has been identified.

True False

2. The final step of the problem-solving process is to assess whether the proposed solution has been effective.

True False

Integrating your Knowledge

The following questions require you to draw upon all of the knowledge and skills you have learned throughout this section of the Study Guide.

1.22 Counsellors help clients with a wide range of problems and goals. These include assisting clients to make changes to their behaviour, enhance their coping skills, improve their interpersonal skills, and improve their relationships. Complete the following table by identifying the type of goal that each client has developed.

Client	Type of Goal
Ellens goal to reduce the number of times she and her husband argue.
Mark wants to develop effective stress management skills.
Ericas goal is to stop smoking.
Yolanda wants to learn how to communicate more assertively with her manager.

1.23 For each of the descriptions below, identify which step from the seven step model is being described. (Each response should be approximately 5 words)

The effectiveness of the solution is assessed.

2. The client is encouraged to identify broad needs and aims which are then formed into specific goals.

3. The client and counsellor rank each option and the counsellor documents the agreed goal and action.

4. The counsellor uses rapport building skills to help the client talk about concerns and needs.

5. The client and counsellor use brainstorming techniques to come up with options.

6. The client applies the agreed solutions/actions outside of the counselling session.

7. The client and counsellor weigh up the pros and cons of each option.

1.24 Imagine that you are a counsellor working with Max. Max has sought out counselling because he is feeling a bit lost. Max finished high school three years ago. While Max obtained above average marks, he wasnt passionate about studying anything in particular so he decided to take a gap year after high school to figure out his priorities. That gap year has now turned into three and Max is unhappy with the direction that his life is heading in. He still lives at home and works part-time as a crew member at his local McDonalds. Max thinks that its time to get his life in order but he is unsure what direction that he wants to move in and so is feeling lost.

Max has an intense interest in both game programming and web design but has been hesitant to undertake formal study in these areas because he is unsure whether or not he would be able to get a job at the end of it. He has been toying with the idea of enrolling in a TAFE course in one of these areas for quite a while now but hasnt yet taken the plunge because he is concerned that it could end up being a waste of time and money. Recently, Maxs parents also talked to him about the possibility of obtaining a plumbing apprenticeship at the business of a close family friend. While Max is far from interested in plumbing work he does see that it is a safe option for his future.

Max is very confused about what he should do next. He has sought out counselling to help him figure out what he wants to do and where he wants to go from here. Max has come to counselling very excited about the prospect of taking some direction in his life but also very nervous about the thought of engaging in counselling and opening himself up to talk about his dreams and goals.

a) During the counselling session, Max identified that his main goal was to come to a decision about which work or study option that he would pursue. To assist Max with this goal you think it would be useful for Max to explore his preferences for and ability to achieve each potential course of action. List three questions you could ask Max to help him explore his preferences and abilities. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

b) You also want to help Max explore the likely consequences of each potential course of action (i.e., attending TAFE or doing the plumbing apprenticeship). What could you say to Max to facilitate this exploration? (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

c) Imagine that you and Max are exploring the advantages/disadvantages of the TAFE course and the plumbing apprenticeship. Compete the table below by identifying at least one advantage and one disadvantage for both of these options. (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

	Advantages	Disadvantages
Tafe course
Plumbing apprenticeship

d) Imagine that Max decides that he wants to enrol in a TAFE course on web design in order to obtain a formal qualification while at the same time establishing his own web design company. Together, you identify that the first step Max would need to take is to enrol in his desired course. Max is keen to complete his research and process his enrolment before your next session together. He states that he will conduct some online research and enrol online. You want to make sure that Max has an alternative course of action (e.g., to call the enrolments office) in case he has any difficulties obtaining information or enrolling online. What could you say to Max to respectfully acknowledge his preferred method but to also encourage him to consider what alternatives he could use if necessary? (Your response should be approximately 75 words)

e) By the end of your session Max is full of determination he tells you that he will enrol before your next session together. Your organisation requires you to keep brief case notes for each session that detail the focus of the session, any major interventions used or outcomes reached, and any homework tasks that have been set so that the counsellor will be reminded to ask the client about this at the beginning of the next session. What specific points would you include in your case notes to document your work with Max during this session? (Your response should be approximately 50 words)

SECTION 2

ADDITIONAL DECISION-MAKING MODELS

The Z Model

2.1 Briefly describe, in your own words, the Z model of decision making and the four steps counsellors can take under this model to help clients real a more holistic, well-informed decision. (Your response should not be more than 150 words)

2.2Jonas uses the Z model with his client to help his client explore career options. Complete the table below by selecting which step of the Z model Jonas is completing with the client.

Counselling task	Step
Jonas and his client explore the facts and details of various career options.
Jonas asks his client how he feels about each option.
Jonas invites his client to brainstorm ideas and explore these creatively.
Jonas and his client carefully evaluate each career option.
Marker Note: This is covered on pages 32-33 of the Study Guide.

2.3 Which types of clients would the Z model be particularly helpful for? Why? (Your response should be no more than 50 words)

Decisional Balance

2.4 What is the aim of the decisional balance tool? (Your response should be no more than 75 words)

2.5 Select whether the following statements are True or False.

When using the decisional balance tool, counsellors should encourage clients to consider the emotional implications of their decision to change.

True False

2. The decisional balance should only be used for clients who are considering making changes to their level of substance use.

True False

3. The goal of the decisional balance tool is to help convince the client to stop their risky behaviours.

True False

2.6 Read the following transcripts and select the one which best demonstrates an effective use of the decisional balance technique.

Transcript

Counsellor: So youre here to figure out how to stop smoking.

Client: Well I suppose my husband is giving me a hard time about it.

Counsellor: Hes right. Smoking is really bad for you. Lets figure out options to help you stop.

Transcript

Counsellor: So youre here to figure out what to do about smoking?

Client: Well I suppose my husband is giving me a hard time about it.

Counsellor: So thats one of the things you dont like about smoking that it means your husband nags you? What other things annoy you about smoking?

Client: Its getting really expensive. And I always smell of smoke I guess.

Counsellor: What about the things that make it hard to stop? The things you like about smoking?

Transcript

Counsellor: So youre here to figure out what to do about smoking?

Client: Well I suppose my husband is giving me a hard time about it.

Counsellor: What does your instinct tell you to do?

Your response:

Four Option Model

2.7 In your own words, briefly outline the four option model and why it might be used with a client. (Your response should be no more than 150 words)

2.8 Arnold is experiencing workplace bullying following the appointment of a new supervisor at this work. He decides to consult to a counsellor to help him weigh up his options should he leave?

Consider what you have learned about the four option model and write down four potential courses of action that Arnold and his counsellor might explore. (Your response should be no more than 100 words)

SECTION 3 PRACTICE CONSIDERATIONS

Obstacles and Challenges

3.1 Why might the decision-making/problem-solving process be challenging for clients and counsellors? (Your response should not be more than 100 words)

3.2 Complete the following table by identifying which obstacle/challenge is included in each scenario.

Scenario	Obstacle / challenge
Eleanors counsellor suggests attending bingo at the local RSL as an option to reduce her social isolation. Eleanor agrees but actually she believes that bingo is gambling and avoids participating.
Daryl says he wants to work things out with his estranged wife but looks at the floor and attempts to change the subject when his counsellor attempts to explore options around how to achieve this.
Kyra is terrified of making the wrong decision about changing her sons school. She has recently put in an application to a new school but now thinks that maybe its not the right decision.
Myleene wants to learn parenting strategies that will ensure that she never makes mistakes with her kids.

Ethical Decision-Making

3.3 Counsellors must ensure that they act in a legal and ethical manner while assisting clients in the decision-making process. Read through the following examples and identify which legal/ethical principle is most involved in each scenario and what the counsellor should do to ensure legal/ethical practice.

a) Huan has been involved in an escalating conflict situation with his inconsiderate neighbours. He discloses in his counselling session that he and his friends are going to sort them out for good on Saturday. The counsellor believes that Huan means to physically assault his neighbour.