CHC51015 – Unit Code: CHCCSL006
2.8 – Imagine that you are an ACT counsellor working with a new client, 65-year-old Aubrey. Aubrey has come to counselling at the urging of her husband, Stephen. Aubrey retired six months ago and is struggling with the transition. Aubrey had been working full-time as an executive assistant and, for the most part, loved her job. She had been looking forward to retirement in order to spend more time with her grandkids but, after her son got a new job in a different state and moved with his family, Aubrey has had not been able to fill her days caring for them. This has resulted in her feeling aimless and lost. Stephen is still working as a business consultant and often travels for work, leaving Aubrey alone for days at a time. During these times Aubrey rarely leaves the house and instead fills her days sitting and aimlessly watching television. Stephen has grown concerned about these changes in his wife. When he asks her why she doesn’t go out with her friends she says that she doesn’t have “anything to offer them”. Aubrey had always thought of herself as a “useful” person but now she is plagued by thoughts of being “worthless”. When she thinks of socialising with her friends that still work she feels as though she they will judge her for not doing more with her retirement and when she thinks of socialising with her friends who spend time with her grandkids she feels as though they will pity her so she avoids socializing altogether.
C) Briefly outline one (1) technique/metaphor that you would use in your work with Aubrey to help her understand the ineffectiveness of experiential avoidance and explain why you would use this particular technique/metaphor (i.e., what you hope to achieve by using this particular technique/metaphor in your work with Aubrey).
D) Briefly outline one technique/metaphor that you would use in your work with Aubrey to facilitate the self-as-context process and explain why you would use this particular technique/metaphor (i.e., what you hope to achieve by using this particular technique/metaphor in your work with Aubrey).
E) As you approach the end of your first session you want to suggest a mindfulness technique that Aubrey could practice between sessions to help promote contact with the present-moment experience. Briefly outline one technique that you would suggest and explain why you would suggest this particular technique in your work with Aubrey (i.e., what you hope to achieve by using this in your work with Aubrey).
