Homework: Working With Liz
You are a resource specialist at a local family center. The following is the client portion of an interview you have with your new client, Liz. Use a Voice Memo or Online Voice Recorder to complete the resource specialist portion of the discussion. You can have someone else read the role of Liz if you like. Make sure to use appropriate counseling language and demonstrate how to use empathy, open-ended questions, reflections, summaries, and nonverbal counseling skills.
At the end of your interview, discuss two specific resources you would refer to Liz and her husband to help them with their situation. These resources can be specific to your own area.
Liz: I'm really worried. My husband's union went out on strike a month ago, and he's out with them. Meanwhile, there's no money coming in. We haven't paid any bills in three weeks. I just don't see how we're going to pull through this.
Resource Specialist:
Liz: My husband is so proud. He won't even consider asking for any financial help. He just says, "Don't worry. They will hire us back. "In the meantime, we have to live. We have to support ourselves. But he flips out every time I even suggest that I could get a job.
Resource Specialist:
Liz: Even before he went out on strike, we were living paycheck to pay check. He made just enough to cover the rent, utilities, and groceries. But we were never able to save anything. Now there hasn't been a paycheck in several weeks. The rent is due, and, with it getting colder outside, we need to get fuel oil. But every time we talk about bills or money, we seem to get into a fight. I'm just so angry at him.
Resource Specialist:
Liz: I've mainly been trying to keep my thoughts to myself because when I do bring up my concerns, it ends up in a huge argument. And I don't want to fight. But he's got to realize how bad the situation is. He's letting his pride rule his head. He's too proud to let me work. He just doesn't seem to see the seriousness of our predicament.
Resource Specialist:
Liz: I don't think he's really considered what may happen. He's so sure that everything will be fine. And I hope he's right, I truly do. But we have to have another plan to fall back on, just in case the strike isn't successful. I don't mean to be a pessimist, but I don't want to bury my head in the sand either.
Resource Specialist:
Liz: Well, I wish he would agree for me to work part-time, but he won't. I guess if things got really bad, my parents could help us out until we were back on our feet. But I would rather not have to ask them for money.
Resource Specialist:
Liz: I just don't know where to go from here, and that's why I'm talking to you. I figured you could give me advice on dealing with my husband and could tell me how we might be able to get out of our financial bind. What do you think I should do?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
(1) The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
(2) The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
(3) Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.