Answer Questions

Week 6 Questions

Answers should be at least 100-175 words and reflect critical thought. Whenever possible, please try to relate the course content to real-world applications from your work experience. Be sure to cite all sources as well.

1. What would you do if you noticed that your supervisor was failing to adhere to the standards of the profession? Examples could include boundary violations, substance abuse, misuse of power, sexual advances toward a supervisee, and so forth. Brainstorm strategies for dealing with this type of situation.

2. What are some signs of burnout in the mental health field?  What are 5 things you can do to prevent or manage burnout? Commit to one of them.

3. "Would the trainee receive other consequences from higher up if they don't report the abuse? "  I'm not sure what if any repercussions the trainee would receive for not reporting inappropriate behavior of a supervisor.  I would think that the trainee would have to sign some type of consent form explaining the trainee's rights and responsibilities, which may explain how to handle unethical behavior.  Again I am not sure, but I would hope the trainee is given resources to utilize in case they are face with ethical dilemmas. Crystal I was wondering what "potential consequences of the supervisor" that the trainee needs to be aware of? Do you think the trainee would remain working under the supervisor if he/she reported unethical behavior?

4.  I think that we always tend to discuss things like this with someone we trust first to see how they would handle it. I believe this is especially true for someone who has been abused in the past, so they may lack confidence in reporting the abuse because of the effects of prior abuse. I also agree that sometimes people are scared to lose their positions in the training or fear repercussions for reporting, but there should be measures in place to protect those who are being abused or threatened, when they report the abuse, without fear of repercussions. Your thoughts?

5.  I would first try to talk with the supervisor to see if there was a problem, and if there was anything that we needed to work through. For example, if it was a personality conflict, or clash of wills then I believe that is the responsible step to address it and try to work through it before involving anyone else. If there is an abuse issue, and the supervisor was unwilling to correct the issue, or work on it at all, then I believe the responsibility would be on the supervisee to go above the supervisor's head and report the issue. I believe that there might be consequences for not reporting the abuse. Perhaps, the trainee is not the only one who is being abused and not reporting it would allow this negative pattern to continue unchecked. Your thoughts?

6. We should be able to trust in one's professionalism; however, sadly we are all human and people make mistakes and ill judgments. I don't blame you for not wanting to confront the supervisor if he is unapproachable. I would be the same way I would eliminate that step and go straight to the next person above him in the chain of command. It is not necessary for a trainee who has been abused to subject herself to even more abuse to try to fix the issue. So, if that is the case, I would have to say the best course of action is to report to the supervisor's manager and try to be moved to another supervisor if that is an option. Your thoughts?

7. What a wonderful option for counselors to have to "recharge"! I know that when I was working in Hospice the LCSW's would talk a lot about self-care and taking a mental health day. The interdisciplinary teams were extremely supportive of one another so that they could talk to each other when one was feeling overwhelmed or experiencing burnout. One of the LCSW's and I would take one day a week and have "girl's day out lunch" where we would take an extended lunch and go out to each, vent about anything in our lives that were stressing us out,  and then laughter was always part of the day. One nurse joined us regularly and she called it her laughter therapy because inevitably we would be LOL throughout most of lunch. The uplift in our energy and our moods were incredible and made life and work life much more manageable. Your thoughts?

8. I feel it is import for mental health professionals to not only be able to identify signs of being burnt out but also ways to prevent and manage this struggle. My aunt is a principal at a school for autistic children and she has expressed to me how she has seen this happen a lot with her teachers. When I told her I was going into this program this was a topic she brought to my attention. She suggested I establish tools now in my life to help mitigate the emotional, mental and physical exhaustion from working in this field. I work out daily which helps to clear my mind and I began journaling, which has helped me to be more cognitive of where I am at emotionally. Also at the suggestion of a friend I began to get massages to help ease stress. I feel the most beneficial thing I have recently taken up has been yoga, which has helped with a better mind/ body connection. It has significantly reduced my stress and helped me to better connect with myself. What are some of the things you all do to manage or prevent feeling burnt out?