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The Importance Of Engagement In Social Work

Decent Essays

Engagement
Engagement is a vital component to the therapeutic process and the framework to which a social worker establishes trust with the individual receiving services (Berg-Weger, 2013). This interaction is suggested as paramount to achieving a collaborative therapeutic relationship (Easter, Pollock, Pope, Wisdom, & Smith, 2016). Methods of engagement are considered as continuing throughout mental health services beginning with the initial contact.
Practice Skills
In an inpatient setting, patients admit with a mental health crisis and are especially sensitive to interactions with others. Often the first levels of engagement are challenging due to medications that are first given to stabilize each patient. During the engagement with Mark, it was important to encourage the sense of wellbeing towards recovery and placing a focus on his strengths. Engaging a client with their challenges and goals are suggested to be of focus instead of an individual’s mental health status or symptoms (Novotná, Urbanoski, & Rush, 2011).
Active listening
Due to Marks very depressed state, the initial interaction required a great deal of empathy and high degrees of compassion. When first engaging a client, it is important to be compassionate and empathetic and listen without interrupting, prompting or advising (Berg-Weger, 2013). Reflecting and summarizing content delivered in the session is a valuable way to let the client know that you are actively listening to what they are saying

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