Question
You are a human services professional who is working with a client Tina who has recently lost her job, and is having difficulty securing housing and food.Tina expresses a great deal of stress and hopelessness. What should the professional prioritize when working with Tina?Explain in your own words. square
Solution
4.4
(240 Votes)
Niles
Professional ยท Tutor for 6 years
Answer
The first priority when working with Tina should be addressing her immediate needs: **safety and stability**. This means focusing on securing food and housing. A person struggling with basic survival needs cannot effectively address emotional or psychological issues. Referring Tina to food banks, shelters, or emergency housing programs should be the first step. Helping her apply for government benefits like food stamps or housing assistance would also be crucial.Simultaneously, it's important to begin addressing her emotional state. While long-term therapeutic interventions might be necessary down the line, the initial focus should be on providing emotional support and building rapport. Active listening, validating her feelings of stress and hopelessness, and instilling a sense of hope that her situation can improve are vital. Connecting her with support groups or crisis hotlines can also provide immediate emotional relief.Once some stability is achieved regarding her basic needs, the focus can shift to longer-term solutions. This might involve helping Tina develop job-seeking skills, create a budget, connect with mental health services for ongoing support, and address any underlying issues contributing to her current situation. The overall goal is to empower Tina to regain control of her life and build self-sufficiency.