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. 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
