I would like to say first and foremost that we as social workers and therapists must strive to meet the client where they are and address their issues specific to their ways of thinking, learning and understanding. We must approach treatment individually and realize that although we can coach them through, give them better coping strategies, outlets for stress, goals for change, and better self concept and worth, we should never approach a client or situation with the assumption that we will be able to completely change this person.
To me, that is a falsehood and a recipe for disaster because not only are we raising the client’sexpectations to unrealistic heights, but we are deluding ourselves and setting ourselves up as practitionersfor disappointment in the process.
The concept of labeling positively increases the stigma that our clients will internalize with regard to their existing condition and also correlate directly to the way in which they are perceived by others. In my estimation, labeling can be very dangerous to the client since it leads to the self fulfilling prophecy. For example, if someone is told that they have a certain disorder they will believe it and become more and more of exactly what that disorder resembles. Therefore, as clinicians we must be very mindful and cautious in administering of a diagnosis without exploration and close examination of all factors which may be present within that particular individual.
We must strive to respect and embrace the varying differences in each of us. It is crucial to the well being of the client, as well as our professional dignity, that we leave our biases, if any, outside the door before we enter the room to help change someone’s life for the better. If we need to stand out among the rest as the nonconformist in the group, standing up for what we believe in and the rights and protection of our clients, then that is what we need to do. We are here to make a difference and go the extra mile in ensuring that are clients are being treated fairly and respectfully. Their overall mental, emotional and psychological health and well beingare, and should in all instances remain, paramount. As psychotherapists, we must respect and embrace our client’s individuality with empathy and gentle encouragement
Author Bio: Marcella Talignani is a psychotherapist practicing in Brooklyn, New York. She has her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is an MSW, LMSW. She specializes in treating a very diverse population of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Her areas of expertise are individual, family therapy, and couples therapy. The therapeutic modalities she utilizes and are trained in include supportive counseling, solution focused therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, strength based therapy and narrative therapy. She is a goal oriented practitioner who believes that it’s never too late to begin to live the life you deserve! What are you waiting for? Feel free to contact her via email [email protected]