As McClam's chapter seven (2018) describes, the helping process
consists of five stages. Among them are preparation, client arrival,
problem exploration, strategies for intervention, and closing the client
relationship. I am familiar with these stages from a professional
perspective, having come into contact with human service specialists
during my former career. Yet, I have realized that they also play an
essential role in my daily life. Thus, my reflection draws on what I read
in the textbook, the overview, my experiences in the helping process,
and meaningful interactions.
When it comes to being classified as a “best friend”, there are many
benefits; depending on the circumstances, they can take on various
roles. In addition to having numerous attributes, befriending someone
can also provide a range of responsibilities. It started out when my
best friend, who has a high pain tolerance, complained about feeling
pain in her breast area and felt a knot during self-examination. Seeing
her nervous and learning that she did not have mammograms
annually, my stomach sank. In that moment, I realized we had never
discussed this issue personally, and I felt a sense of guilt for that.
Eventually, the thoughts of "would of, should of" passed, forcing us to
face the here and now.
As I knew her character traits, it took some finesse to convince her to
make an appointment with the doctor, sooner than later, and I
offered to go with her if she requested. There is no greater sense of
conscientiousness than finding out that a person you love has been
diagnosed with breast cancer. The following stages of the helping
process are compared to understanding and offering support to a
friend in crisis.
Preparation- In our reading, helpers should remember that the client
has been preparing for the first meeting as well. As part of the
preparation process, barriers can often create anxiety, shame, or
curiosity among clients (Woodside & McClam, 2018). Due to my
longstanding relationship with this individual and her family, there
was no need for preparation. Following our conversation with the
specialist, I reassured her that we would be able to determine a
potential course of action together. Despite not receiving the
diagnosis we had hoped for, I told her it was not indicative of what
God had in store for her, which soothed her anxiety.
Client- A smile, a handshake, and an introduction establish a climate
of respect and acceptance when a client enters the office. Clients
usually come to you with problems, feeling vulnerable and sometimes
experiencing pain or discomfort, thereby making the use of
icebreakers or door openers beneficial (Woodside & McClam, 2018).
In my case, there was no need to break the ice since we had a long-
established friendship, and in fact, I knew what was going on the
moment I spoke to my friend.
Exploring the Problem- In exploring the problem with the client, it is
important to consider the client's perspective. The concept of the
whole person and the multidimensionality of problems will also guide
this phase of the helping process. After identifying the problems, we
can move on to solving them (Woodside & McClam, 2018). Initially, I
was the only one my best friend confided in, and I accompanied her to
the biopsy. The first few weeks were unsettling, and it was difficult
for her to control her emotional state; she was experiencing days of
hope and despair, courage and fear, anger, and uncertainty, dealing
with her adjustment stress, and feeling vulnerable. Understandably,
emotions like fear and worry are born out of anger. In spite of this,
she relied on me, which made me incapable of interpreting her
actions personally. She approached me regarding the idea of me
raising her children. Despite being sympathetic to her perspective, I
disagreed with her notions of morbidity, declining her proposal, and
engaging her to provide a more effective approach. By actively
listening, I enabled her to express her fears, concerns, as well as how
she perceived her ethnicity contributed to her health issue and of her
circumstance.
Intervention Strategies- This stage involves setting and determining
goals and the process for reaching those goals. This time is spent
focusing on client empowerment, client self-sufficiency, and
developing client strengths. The client's aspirations, desires, personal,
social, and environmental resources, strengths, and barriers must all
be considered. In the intervention process, culture must be taken into
account (Woodside & McClam, 2018). We held a family meeting, and
everyone participated; my friend shared her goals, wishes, personal
and economic resources, abilities, and obstacles. It took no time for us
to develop a network. We met with the clinician staff and requested
aid from support services. We were asked to assist her with her
children, accompany her to medical appointments, and listen to her
doctor's treatment plans, including the full range of chemo, surgery,
and radiation. We prepared activity charts for our planning,
organization, schedules, and journal keeping. It wasn’t all business, we
ensured she continued to participate in group activities or her
customary interests. a Having known that she was a strong woman,
the more I reassured her, the more her confidence began to return.
After exploring different treatments and consulting with her doctor,
we were comforted to know what was going on. By reading medical
sites, I gained a deeper understanding of what my friend was
concerned about and how culture impacted her prognosis.
Ending Services- At the end of the helping process or at the
termination of client services, the final stage occurs. Clients and
helpers may end their relationship in a variety of ways. Providing the
needed services and making both parties satisfied with the results is
the most positive conclusion (Woodside & McClam, 2018). There was
no ending of services between my friend and me. Providing emotional
and physical support to her and her family has been my role in her life
and hers in mine. On November 21, 2022, at 10:30 AM, surrounded
by family, friends, and the cheering of clinic staff and patients, my
best friend, rang the cancer free bell, signifying her victory and a new
beginning.
Wishing you and your family the happiest of Thanksgivings this year.
References
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human
Services (9th ed.). Cengage Learning US.
https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
