Family support and empowerment

Abstract

 Clients in pediatric outpatient counseling unit usually consult about psychosomatic symptoms or developmental difficulties or difficulties in school life except child abuse. Through counseling, their difficulties will often decrease.

 But, despite “doing as usual”, some clients do not easily improve. Psychologists may feel “it’s not going well” in cases that cancel appointments suddenly, come late frequently, have difficulty understanding the psychologists’ explanations. Psychologists may feel they would like to “disengage from them”.

 However, this “difficulty in building relationships”, might also arise from the client’s own difficulty in building relationships. In addition, it may be difficult for some clients to provide their children proper care for treating allergies.

 Therefore, when feelings of “it’s not going well” appear, contrary to “disengaging from the clients,” it is recommended providing a more intensive treatment.

 It is recommended trying to “talk slowly, politely, and calmly”, “not be aggressive”, “be fair (not so preferential for children)”, “be a constant person”, “keep promises”, “teach that there are reliable ones” and so on.

 And we should encourage clients to overcome difficulties by setting feasible small steps that clients progress beyond, aiming to decrease difficulties even if only slightly.