Before you feel like they are treating you like their personal assistant/slave? When do you say enough is enough? How many tasks do you feel like you need to follow up on for that same person in one day?
If any other social workers are reading my blog, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Right now I feel like the girl from The Devil Wears Prada working for some very "entitled" people.
I totally know where you are coming from. It drives me crazy when they don't do anything for themselves... and just boss me around! This is actually something I have been struggling with. Here are some of my ideas..
ReplyDeleteWhat I have started to do is say "The purpose of this program is for you to be able to be independent afterward. If I do everything for you, you aren't going to learn. How do you think you can solve this problem for yourself?"
Sometimes I will just say "no, I can't do that. You need to do it." It's a boundary thing.
I've been told (and try to abide by) the adage "Don't work harder than your client."
ReplyDeleteEasier said than done in some settings, but keeping it in mind always helps. If empowerment is the goal, work towards that...
Thanks for the feedback :) I am struggling with my bipolar lady still..........and the fact that if I DON'T do certain things......could I be "responsible" in a sense if she totally loses it.
ReplyDeleteI do have a good plan in place with her though.
Document, document, document is my suggestion. Document what resources have been offered to her. Document her response to the offering of those resources. Document the plan you and she have laid out. Document, document, document, document!
ReplyDeleteLOL Amy. I have a BOOK written in terms of case notes on her. I document everything. Which is probably another reason I am feeling so drained from this case.
ReplyDelete