Pursuing Sensitive Disclosures: Skillfully Asking Clients Tough Questions in Order to Assess Risk

Learn to formulate standardized questions to reduce stigma, how to manage your own internal judgments, how to evoke acceptance and self-compassion in the client and how to create a space for support, kindness, transformation and hope.

Description

Clinical interviews and assessments often involve asking deeply personal information around sensitive topic areas. Disclosing details of substance use, sexual activities, compulsive or habitual behaviors or involvement in the criminal justice system may invoke shame and clients may face practical, economic and interpersonal risks by sharing this information.

This course offers a framework for gathering information needed to complete thorough assessments with sensitivity and compassion. Using elements from both harm reduction and Internal Family Systems models, these sessions will walk you through how to formulate standardized questions to reduce stigma, how to manage your own internal judgments, how to evoke acceptance and self-compassion in the client and how to create a space for support, kindness, transformation and hope.

CE Information

*Please note: In order to be eligible for CE credit, you must register with your full name (as it appears on your professional license) and your license state and number.

Approved for 2 contact/clock hours of continuing education credit by the Continuing Education Institute of Illinois in collaboration with the University of Illinois Department of Family Medicine for the following professions:

Acupuncturist
Athletic Trainer
Counselor-Professional/Clinical
Dentist/Dental Hygienist
Dietitian/Nutritionist
Marriage and Family Counselor
Nurse (APN, RN, LPN)
Nursing Home Administrator
Occupational Therapist/COTA
Physical Therapist/PTA
Psychologist
Respiratory Therapist
Social Worker

Instructor

Jenn Brandel

Guest Instructor

Jenn Brandel is a licensed clinical social worker in Boston with over twenty years of experience working as a psychotherapist, trainer, supervisor and consultant. Her work centers around the use of mindfulness and humor to promote compassionate practices, healing and connection. She has been recognized as a leader in her field - making numerous media appearances and speaking at conferences and professional venues throughout New England. She is the author of "My Crisis Plan: What I Need to Get Through the Darkness" and "When Rabbits Spill Their Tea: Metaphors to Guide Us Through Difficult Times."