8.3 - Boundaries Flashcards
Should you as a Lifeline CS try and offer ongoing support or treatment to a HS?
No, as a CS our role is to help in the immediate crisis situation - provide non-judgemental support within the CARE framework and to help them access other longer-term support if they want to do so.
What does managing interactions mean for a CS?
Managing interactions is a way of setting boundaries within an interaction so that it can be as helpful as possible.
Our role is to provide one off support and not give them support for historical problems.
It is important to have boundaries as a HS - when should you start to ‘manage your interactions’?
When the HS is very verbose and wants to talk in great length about their story or some other issue.
What are two ways you can start to ‘manage an interaction’ when a HS starts talking about past events?
Ask the HS about the “here and now” by asking about current feelings, and reflecting any feelings that have been heard through the story that has been told
Preventing the HS from just pouring out more and more thoughts that become confused
I.e. summarise what seem to be the main points of the interaction and reflect the feeling associated with these
If someone is taking too much time, should you specify to the HS that there is a time frame for the interaction?
Never
What are 8 ways you as a CS can influence your own behaviour to manage interactions?
Be aware of interactions that may present as personally challenging
Be conscious of your own thinking and any negative messages that might hinder your interaction with the HS
Be aware of your body - good posture, relaxed shoulders; steady breathing
Seperate yourself from what is happening in the interaction - do not make it personal for you
Watch your pace; if they are speaking fast make sure you stay calm and dont get caught up in their pace - start to slow down to help the HS slow down
Be realistic about your expectations for the HS
Be genuine
Contact your ISS if you are at all distressed or concerned
When a HS talks for a long time about their past but you want to manage the interaction and take it to the present, you should dismiss or disregard what they are saying to focus them on the now. True or False.
No, it is important to hear the pain and acknowledge the impact the past has had on the HS. Never dismiss or disregard their pain.
What are 4 tips for helping a HS stuck in the past to bring them into the present?
1) Finding and focusing on genuine strengths
2) Acknowledging the pain (or other feelings) of the past
3) Looking for lessons learnt
4) Re-focusing on the future
In what emotional way should you try and manage reactions?
In a respectful way, with understanding and empathy
Some story is always needed to help the HS and understand and connect with them. What should you do if you are unsure if you should keep listening or manage their story?
Talk to your ISS
When is a good indicator that the person is spending too much time in their story?
When it is becoming circular there is a lot of repetition in their story.
When a HS is talking and their story becomes circular and they are repeating themselves, how might you guide the interaction forward?
Ensure the focus is on the HS’s feelings in the here and now rather than their story.
What are some CS techniques we can use to move the interaction forward?
Acknowledging the pain (or other feelings) of the past
Finding and focusing on genuine strengths
Looking for lessons learnt
Re-focusing on the future
Using frequent paraphrasing and active summaries of the past story to provide feedback and show the help seeker you have heard their pain.
Adding a future orientated or here and now open question can also be effective.
What sentence stems can you use to move an interaction forward and ensure the interaction remains helpful for the HS?
What are you going to do after this (interaction) to take care of yourself?
What are the next steps for you?
Im so sorry that happened to you.
From all your experience of XX what do you think is the best way to look after yourself today?
I heard you say XX and I can see you felt XXX, what are you thinking you might do next?
You have thought alot about xxxx (your situation) a lot. Im wondering what you think might best help you right now?
Given XXX, what do you see as your options now?
What can you do today to make a step in the direction of XX (feeling better/goal/outcome/resolution)?
How can you use this (experience/situation/feeling) moving forward?
What are you able to do when we get off the phone/chat? What’s manageable right now?
If a person is highly distressed and telling you something, what is the most important thing to aim on doing first?
Reduce their distress to a level where they can begin to think clearly
