Therapeutic Communication Reflection

Since working at the Camino Nuevo Charter Academy Cisneros site I have been challenged to step out of my comfort zone and think out of the box when using therapeutic skills. It has been two weeks since I commenced services with clients and it has not been easy to apply therapeutic skills in the sessions. I have been challenge to think outside the box and have become more conscious of my own response to clients I am working with. I have realized that my furthering response, eye contact, reflective listening and being in tune is essential to be present with the clients. My knowledge at work has always been working with parents to provide psychoeducation or case management services for their children. In session, I have been able to build rapport and overtime have sensed conversations with parents being genuine and sincere.
First method I have found effective has been my body language as I can demonstrate a relaxed demeanor when helping clients with defiant behaviors and/or when there is a crisis. Second, my tone of voice as I can remain calm even when a client become aggravated. With years of work experience in community mental health services, I have realized that maintaining calmness is fundamental to help the client de-escalate symptoms. Now that I am working in a school setting, I am aware of the importance of being conscious of how we incorporate practices with different clients. In this instance, working with client with trauma, DCFS cases, sexual abuse and loss. Therefore, effective communication can help tremendously a client to communicate openly in sessions. Furthermore, an attending behavior that I consider that needs to be modify is enhancing my listening skills through applying active listening with clients. Lastly, continue attempting to use open-ended questions with client when engaging in