Component Task: Facilitating a Counselling Session for Persons Living with Mental Illness at Home

This is the process by which the RCPN encourages a client with mental illness to make an informed decision to improve their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing.

Aims

·         Relieve stress from client and family

·         Improve client and family’s wellbeing

·         Prevent complications/relapse

·         Improve client’s coping mechanism

·         Provide social and legal support where necessary

Requirements

·         Pen and paper

·         Table and chair

·         Topic for the session

Steps

1.        Read map of the community and identify home of the client

2.      Announce presence, enter on response, greet and introduce self

3.      Explain the purpose of your visit

4.      Ensure privacy and confidentiality

5.      Involve family/caregiver with client consent

6.      Ensure a conducive setting with less noise and distraction to facilitate session

7.       Arrange the place in an appropriate manner and ensure good lighting and ventilation

8.      Welcome client/family with a smile

9.      Allow client to sit first while observing his/her gestures, mannerism and posture

10.    Reassure client and or family of the effectiveness of counselling

11.      Initiate the conversation with a brief introduction on the topic for the session

12.    Encourage client to express problems, fears and conflicts

13.    Identify client’s thoughts and feelings as he/she expresses self

14.    Identify with client his/her perceived difficulties and possible contributing factors to the problem

15.    Speak in a calm, soft voice during discussions without being judgemental

16.    Allow client to come out with coping strategies

17.    Avoid advising client but rather inform him or her about the copping strategies available

18.    Allow client to come out with coping strategies

19.    Support client to implement the strategies if possible

20.  Inform the client that the identified strategies will be reviewed periodically to assess the progress

21.    Communicate areas of progress and where client needs improvement

22.  Inform the client and or family about the date and time of the next session

23.  Leave your contact with client/caregiver and encourage them to call in case of emergency

24.  Document the care and findings in the report book

25.  Express appreciation and depart