Identify And Describe The Diverse Population And The Unique

Identify and describe the diverse population and the unique

Colleague 1 describes working with a diverse population that includes both children and adults from various ethnic backgrounds. In particular, they worked with a 17-year-old African American female who experienced significant loss, having lost three close relatives in a short span, highlighting her unique emotional challenges. Conversely, Colleague 2’s experience involves working with vulnerable adults within a homeless shelter environment, primarily African American and Hispanic individuals, many with complex barriers such as immigration status and lack of income. One specific case involved a woman over 65 with no income, facing barriers related to her immigration status and social isolation.

Using the life model, both colleagues emphasize the importance of understanding how environmental factors impact individuals' well-being. For the young client, the life model can help to contextualize her emotional struggles within her social and familial environment, aiding her in recognizing sources of support and stressors. The model advocates for meeting clients where they are, addressing vulnerabilities, and mobilizing social resources for development and survival (Turner, 2017). In the case of the homeless adult, the focus is on how the environment, including housing conditions and social support systems, affects her ability to function effectively and improve her life circumstances.

Colleague 1 proposes that applying the problem-solving model enables clients to identify their challenges within their social environments and leverage available support systems. This model encourages awareness of environmental influences and fosters practical solutions, promoting resilience (Turner, 2017). Similarly, Colleague 2’s approach involves analyzing presenting problems, prioritizing issues such as income and housing stability, and working collaboratively toward tangible goals, exemplified by the client’s upcoming move to subsidized housing.

Both colleagues discuss defense mechanisms that clients employ and how these impede problem-solving. The young client employs mechanisms like social withdrawal, anger, and refusal to communicate, which hinder her ability to process grief and develop coping skills. These defense mechanisms create barriers to recognizing support systems and impede the progress within the life model framework. For the homeless adult, initial avoidance and reluctance to communicate stemmed from prior neglect, illustrating how defense strategies can delay engagement with supportive services.

Gaps in applying the life model are evident, particularly when clients are resistant or unable to openly communicate their needs. For the young client, resistance due to emotional distress and perceived social barriers can limit effective intervention. For the homeless adult, incomplete disclosure due to mistrust prevents full assessment and tailored intervention. Understanding these gaps underscores the necessity of supplementary theories like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) to bridge these gaps by altering negative thought patterns, building trust, and emphasizing solutions rather than problems.

Turner (2017) highlights that integrating theories such as CBT can effectively address cognitive distortions and maladaptive behaviors, facilitating better engagement with social supports and problem-solving strategies. Similarly, SFBT shifts the focus toward client strengths, empowering clients to develop concrete solutions and fostering hope. For instance, applying CBT techniques can help the young client develop healthier coping mechanisms, while SFBT can assist the homeless individual in recognizing achievable goals and mobilizing existing resources for stability.

References

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• Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (6th ed.). Oxford University Press.
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