Colleagues’ discussions Respond to at least two colleagues below discussions and suggest alternate ways the intern might overcome barriers. Support your responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Be sure to provide full APA citations for your references. Note to the writer, Half page answer for each colleague. 1 source each Rhianna’s Discussion Explanation of the Importance of Identifying Internal and External Barriers of the Client and the Social Worker There are many reasons why it is important for social workers to identify internal and external barriers of their clients and themselves. A social worker should be aware of and work through the potential barriers as it relates to the therapeutic experience (Geller, & Greenberg, 2012). By being aware of these barriers it will help the social worker to build a positive rapport and a trusting relationship. If a client were to notice any barriers being projected by the social worker, it could create additional stress and distrust which could cause the client to disengage. Describe the Barriers Experienced by Helen and the Social Work Intern The barriers between Helen and the intern existed because Helen deflected blame towards the intern. The barrier with the intern existed when she got defensive and when Helen challenged her age and experience. It was apparent the intern did not appreciate Helen’s accusations and comments regarding her competency (Laureate Education, 2013). Suggest ways the intern could overcome these barriers The intern could overcome these barriers by utilizing emotion regulation tools, like deep breathing, and if necessary, requesting to take a break. Because Helen was escalating, the need for the intern to remain calm is vital in helping Helen to calm down. The intern could save the therapeutic connection by modeling her own behavior, validating Helen’s concerns, and by using active and reflective listening skills. References: Geller, S. M., & Greenberg, L. S. (2012). Therapeutic presence: A mindful approach to effective therapy. American Psychological Association. Laureate Education (Producer). (2013c). Petrakis family: Episode 3 [Video file]. Retrieved from https:\class.waldenu.edu Stella’s Discussion IDENTIFY INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL BARRIERS OF THE CLIENT AND SOCIAL WORKER Internal barriers when interacting with clients are sometimes difficult to handle and can be very challenging, Staying present mentally , maintaining self – awareness, inner health and activitely engaging with clients are necessary to obtain a positive outcome in therapy. To accomplish these task, social workers must take care of themselves personally and professionally. According to Geller & Greenberg (2012), social workers may tune out the clients mentally, while they are in a session if they are not tired, bored or disinterested. Focus must remain on the client and not the issues of the social worker. According to Geller & Greenberg (2012), challenges that social workers may face include counter transference, tolerance of uncertainty, stress, and proper use of energy. Counter transference in which the social worker projects their feeling unconsciously onto their client. Tolerance of uncertainty is when the client and social workerr are developing trust, both are not sure where this relationship is going. How is the social worker going to react to what they are told? Can the client trust the social worker with their personal information? Stress also can occur due to the multiple roles that social workers must juggle with office, client, family and other responsibilities. Proper use of energy needs to be on a professional level, not sexual or misguided emotions. According to Geller & Greenberg (2012), relational therapeutic presence is not just emotional or sensory, it is energetic. ” Therapists who are not familiar or comfortable with these energy concepts could either shut their feeling down, and therefore shut down presence, or direct their feelings inappropriately towards the clients”. External barriers that social workers face are clients who are angry, defensive, bipolar, suicidal, manipulation tactics (need some type of assistance), clients who are in pain (inner and outer), dying and facing death. According to Geller & Greenberg (2012), these types of situations can be overwhelming, however social workers must stay open minded and receptive without loosing our own sense of mental stability. DESCRIBE THE BARRIERS EXPERIENCED BY HELEN AND THE SOCIAL WORK INTERN Helen and the social work intern experienced barriers of distrust, blame, defensiveness and anger.Helen tried to blame the intern even though she knew that her son was a former addict. The intern was trying to help Helen by suggesting a family member to help Magda. The intern may have a family that help each other in times of need, and she thought that the Petrakis family was the same. The intern did not ask questions to find out if Alec would be appropriate for this position. No background questions were asked as if he were applying to work with the elderly or children. WAYS THAT THE INTERN COULD OVERCOME THESE BARRIERS The ways that the intern would overcome these barriers would be to tell her supervisor about the situation, assess the situation with her supervisor, develop a plan of action with her supervisor’s input, call Helen to set up a meeting and discuss options on a motivational interviewing level. When using Motivational interviewing , empathy is expressed through listening, avoid being argumentative or confrontational, adjust to Helen’s resistance instead of opposing her and give Helen support and be optimistic when discussing ideas about how to give Magda support According to Miller & Rollnick (1991), Let Helen believe that she is the final decision maker on how to proceed on Magda’s behalf. References Geller, S.M., & Greenberg, L. S. (2012). Challenges to therapeutic presence. In Therapeutic Presence: A mindful approach to therapeutic therapy. (143-159). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association Miller, W.R., & Rollnick,S. (1991). Motivational interviewing:Preparing people to change addictive behavior. New York: Guilford Press. Plummer, S.B., Makris, S., & Brocksen, S. M. (2014a). Sessions : case histories. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing [Vital Source e- reader] The Petrakis Family (pp. 20-22)