Watch each of the three brief video clips below.
Using your text, knowledge of counseling skills, and the prompts below, respond to each clip.
1. – Good Will Hunting – The client is mandated to counseling to avoid incarceration following a history of childhood abuse; he is highly resistant historically.
a) What emotions did this evoke from you, and why?
b) If you were the client, how would you feel about this approach?
c) How did the counselor’s approach contribute to the client’s ability to finally become vulnerable?
d) Consider the ethical code: do no harm, do good, self-disclosure, physical touch, and so on. What are your reactions?
e) Comment on the skills used and/or effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the counselor’s approach.
2. – The Departed – An undercover police officer who has been unfairly and chronically mistrusted, attends a psychiatry appointment.
a) What did you notice about the counselor’s response to the client (body language, speech, tone, facial expression, and so on)?
b) What is your reaction to the client’s demeanor? Knowing the above information about his story, what do you make of his presentation, clinically?
c) How did you interpret the counselor’s suggestion of transferring the client, as well as her response to being asked for coffee?
d) Comment on the skills used and/or effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the counselor’s approach.
3. – Big Little Lies – A woman attends counseling to address her experience of physical and psychological abuse in her current marriage.
a) Notice the counselor’s use of questions and challenging: what are your thoughts about how she approached this client?
b) Can you identify the emotions this client is feeling? At what points did you first pick up on each one?
c) How would you feel personally about working with this client?
d) If you were the therapist for this client, what skills would you use or avoid using?
e) Comment on the skills used and/or effectiveness (or lack thereof) of the counselor’s approach.