Name one theory that human service professionals use in working with clients.
The theory I want to address in this week's discussion is advocacy theory.
Describe the theory
I believe that being an advocate is a very important role for the human service
professional. Understanding that there are individuals that may not have a voice
or understand the why, what, where or how they got to a certain place in their
life. Sometimes all we need is help. I think help can look like many different
things, such as a friend needs to just vent, or an alcoholic is looking for an AA
meeting because his life is in shambles, or a single mother with three children
doesn't know what to do because of abuse and violence in the home. The
beginning of advocacy started in the Middle Ages.
An Introduction to Human
Services
text explains that "until the Middle Ages people believed that mental
illness was caused by evil spirits, and early forms of treatment focused on ridding
the body of these demons" (Woodside, McClam, 2019, p. 58.). It wasn't until the
third century BC, a physician named Hippocrates. In summary Hippocrates was
one of a few professionals to use the scientific approach to explain and treat
behavioral and mental health problems. (Woodside, McClam, 2019, P. 58). There
are responsibilities of individuals who are encouraged to help in advocacy such as,
the church, government, and family. "A government commitment to advocacy and
social justice prompted the passage of the Elizabethan Poor Law of 1601. This
legislation was critical in the history of human services. It guided social welfare
practices in England and the United States for the next 350 years by specifying
who was to provide what services to those in need." (Woodside, McClam, 2019,
p. 60). I think to really be an advocate for an individual in need there has to be a
passion to help. An understanding of what can happen to people throughout life
such as, loss of a job, poverty, addiction, mental health challenges, divorce,
suicide, or a single mother with three children that doesn't know what to do or
where to look. Standing in the gap as an advocate wanting the best life for others.
An understanding where to look for resources and services, how to look for the
services needed, and making sure that the client/individual finding the services
they need to live their best life possible.
Give an example of how a human service professional might apply the theory in
his or her work with a client.
I'm giving a personal example of how to incorporate in being an advocate for
others. I've been in recovery for three years now, and five years before a divorce
and a relapse. During that time in my life I dealt with depression, addiction, and
hopelessness. I was a lost individual. I ended up losing my job in electrical
instrumentation. I was an automation technician. Everything in my life fell apart
going through my divorce. I ended up relapsing and started to drink really heavily.
After losing my job, everything spiraled out of control. I lost my new apartment,
my new vehicle, and felt like I lost everything due to the divorce including my two
sons. In my addiction my life got worse. I ended up incarcerated. While
incarcerated I started to attend group and met my counselor. My counselor and
probation officer done an assessment which they myself included understood that
I needed treatment for addiction. "I knew I needed help" I got released from
incarceration and went into treatment I was in treatment for three months. While
in treatment I was nominated to be a house leader. While in treatment I started to
understand that mental illness, substance use, and my behavioral problems
stemmed from my past childhood traumas such as, addiction, abuse and poverty.
After graduating treatment. I found clarity in my recovery. I found purpose to help
other find recovery. After treatment I came home and began my 1.0 treatment
graduated the program and became a mentor. Helping others in outpatient
treatment in group counseling. I started to enjoy helping others find truth in their
lives. I started to do research in the helping professions and came across peer
specialist training. I attended the course and graduated. I knew that being a peer
specialist wasn't fulfilling my desire to help others. I applied at SNHU and I'm on
my way in being an advocate. Instilling hope, motivation, and helping individuals
find their truth in life. Living my life with purpose because the individual I want to
be was the person I sought for to help save my life.
Woodside, M. & McClam, T. (2019).
An Introduction to Human Services.
(9th ed.)
Cengage.
