Client Paper
Teresa Hunt
BSHS/305
8-16-14
Amy Barker

Client Paper Identifying a client’s problem is a crucial part of the human service worker’s job. The entire purpose of the client coming in is to address a need that is unmet. Before the helper can even begin to plan a solution, they use one of five ways to identify the problem: developmental problems, situational problems, hierarchical needs, and problems that stem from changes in society and the environment. Once the helper knows what the problem is, the communication is a crucial skill to have. Developmental theorists see life as a series of milestones that occur from birth until death. We all go through every stage but the ways people experience them may vary. One’s values, beliefs and childhood experiences also play a role in how a person goes through stages. A developmental model is useful when the helper has a client whose problem is considered deviant, such as criminal activities, like acts of violence, or mental illness. Situational problems are the result of violent crimes, accidents, major changes in life, such as a move to a new city or unemployment, and natural disasters. All humans may face a situational problem at some point in their lives. The result is problems that may be long or short term. Unemployment is a common situational problem today. It has a drastic impact on a person’s ability to provide necessities such as food, shelter and clothing for themselves and their family. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs is another tool to use when the human service worker is defining a client’s problem. It begins with our most basic or physiological needs, like water, food, shelter and rest. This is followed by safety needs, social needs and esteem needs. At the top tier is self-actualization, which is a person’s ability to be aware of themselves and their environment. Maslow’s theory was that if a person’s most basic needs were unfulfilled he could not go on to the higher order needs. We can use this theory in cases of child neglect. If a child is unsafe or lacks adequate food and clothing, meeting their social or self-esteem needs is virtually impossible. This can also be seen in natural disasters where basic needs, like shelter, and safety needs have been compromised. Our society is changing at a rapid rate. Traditional ways are falling to the wayside and new values frequently clash with the old ones. Many people find it difficult to adjust to these changes. This homeless are a prime example of this. Natural disasters, like floods, and evictions often cause people to become homeless. Also many of the homeless are mentally ill, veterans, runaway teens, and Native Americans who have left the reservation. There are several cases of entire families being homeless. This is particularly disturbing due to the growing number of children involved because they are so vulnerable. Environmental influences can also lead to problems that cause people to seek help from human service workers. Societal changes relate to environmental problems. Other influences could be where a person lives, family or friends that have influence and certain groups or activities one may be involved with. The first and most immediate influences are family members, peers, teachers and social or sports groups. Things like television, books and computers also fall in this realm. Next, the neighborhood a person lives in, and social and religious organizations have an influence. Finally, global, international or regional factors affect us. Today we have to contend with violence in schools, at home and even in the workplace. AIDS, unemployment and substance abuse are also major problems in our society that the human service worker will have to work with. Communication is an essential skill when the human services worker is trying to help a client. It is the foundation for every interpersonal relationship we form. If the helper doesn’t fully understand the problems of their client’s concerns or problems, helping will be difficult. When helping a client the helper has to not only pay attention to what is heard but also pay close attention to nonverbal communication. This includes observing the client’s body language, their tone of voice, gestures, posture and touch. In a conversation between two people, over half of its meaning is conveyed by using nonverbal communication. Being aware of nonverbal messages gives the helper an indication thoughts or feelings that the client may not want to express. Impatient clients may tap their fingers. Leaning forward in the chair can mean that the client is open to the helper’s suggestions, while leaning back with crossed arms means they aren’t. No client wants to helped by a worker who they feel aren’t truly listening. The human service worker can do several things to let the client know that they are actively listening. Facing the client, leaning toward them and maintaining eye contact are all excellent ways to let a client know that the helper is engaged. Vocal tone and rate of speech will also tell the client how the helper feels about them. The response the human service worker gives must be decided. Knowing the intent of is going to be said is imperative. The helper has to ask questions to serve their clients. However, it is best to avoid asking too many because the client may feel as if they are being interrogated. As our country becomes more diverse, the human service worker will have to serve clients whose cultures are different from their own. Being aware of and sensitive to differences aids in achieving positive results. The body language various cultures use may be different. For example a Latino or Native American client may find direct eye contact as offensive. Rather than telling a Latino client that they are in need of help, the helper may simply want to tell the client that they need someone they can talk to. However, the human service worker has to be careful about making generalizations about different cultures. A multicultural approach involves seeing that we all are capable of having certain behaviors, thoughts as well as feelings. Second, understanding the differences and similarities of several cultures is important. Last, the human service worker must be appreciative and accepting of different world views. Clients seek help from the human service worker due to a broad range of problems. They may be developmental, situational, societal or environmental. After determining a client’s specific problem, effective communication is the most essential skill the helper can have to address their client’s needs. Also, the helper must be sensitive to many cultures in order to get the best results.