Assignment 2: Reflective Journal Entry—Managing Risk

Assignment 2: Reflective Journal Entry—Managing Risk 

The ability to develop a therapeutic alliance with your clients is extremely important. It may even be necessary for successful outcomes of treatment. A good therapeutic alliance with a client will increase the likelihood that the client will benefit from your services. Developing the ability to establish strong therapeutic alliances may even help to prevent clients from becoming aggressive toward you. 

According to research on risk management in mental health settings, clients are significantly less likely to become aggressive toward mental health professionals with whom they have a strong therapeutic alliance (Tishler, Gordon, & Landry-Meyer, 2000). 

Nonetheless, client aggression toward mental health professionals is not uncommon. A survey conducted by the US Department of Justice estimated that approximately 12.6 in every 1000 workers across all occupations are assaulted annually. For mental health workers, that number rises to 69 out of every 1000 (National Archive of Criminal Justice Data, 2010).

Using the module readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research therapeutic alliance and client aggression. Select at least two peer-reviewed resources for use in this assignment.

For this assignment, create a reflective journal entry addressing any fear or anxiety you have experienced regarding the potential for a client to become verbally or physically aggressive. Include the following:

Describe one incident that has occurred during your field experience that involves a client becoming agitated, verbally aggressive, or physically aggressive toward you or another person (staff or another client). If no incident has occurred, create a fictional incident or describe an incident you fear may happen. 

Describe your thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the incident. Indicate what you would do differently if you could. 

Explain what professionals would recommend to lessen the likelihood that clients will behave aggressively toward you. Cite at least one peer-reviewed, academic reference to justify your ideas. 

Examine what professionals would recommend to handle client aggression, if it occurs. Cite at least one peer-reviewed, academic reference to justify your ideas. 

Evaluate the policies and procedures at your field experience site for preventing and responding to incidents of client violence. 

Note of Caution: Do not share any identifying client information as that would violate laws of confidentiality.