Reflective Account
Presentation reflective account
Introduction
I shall analyse my presentation, commenting on:
• where I used my skills well;
• my understanding of adaptations within my role; and
• areas for improvement.
Knowledge and understanding
As feedback noted, I included a good level of information on my chosen client, (representing the diverse group - Older Adults). I presented knowledge and understanding on how I worked collaboratively to address barriers.
My presentation highlighted the percentage rates of depression and anxiety amongst older people, based on IAPT Positive Practice Guide for Working with Older People,2009. I also highlighted issues faced by older people in accessing mental health services, demonstrating this through my own service’s access statistics. This provided a good context to the clinical work I undertook.
Before assessment, I asked the client if she had any requirements I should be aware of. We agreed to undertake the assessment in the morning due to my client feeling less tired then. My client requested telephone work as this made it easier for her to access the service. I was also mindful of challenging my own assumptions of older people, as Velasque (2007) suggested that unintentional biases derived from assumptions about identity often leads to poor engagement in therapeutic work.
On reflection, I need to be more knowledgeable of services available to older people, which I can signpost clients to (e.g. The Active Retirement Association). This would have been beneficial for my client as she had just retired and was finding the adjustment challenging. James (2008) suggests that adjusting to change is a common psychological factor older people face. Using this concept and normalising my client’s retirement difficulties proved beneficial for the client to explore and enhanced the working alliance.
During consecutive sessions I further developed my adaptations using James’ (2008) suggestions for poor
Introduction
I shall analyse my presentation, commenting on:
• where I used my skills well;
• my understanding of adaptations within my role; and
• areas for improvement.
Knowledge and understanding
As feedback noted, I included a good level of information on my chosen client, (representing the diverse group - Older Adults). I presented knowledge and understanding on how I worked collaboratively to address barriers.
My presentation highlighted the percentage rates of depression and anxiety amongst older people, based on IAPT Positive Practice Guide for Working with Older People,2009. I also highlighted issues faced by older people in accessing mental health services, demonstrating this through my own service’s access statistics. This provided a good context to the clinical work I undertook.
Before assessment, I asked the client if she had any requirements I should be aware of. We agreed to undertake the assessment in the morning due to my client feeling less tired then. My client requested telephone work as this made it easier for her to access the service. I was also mindful of challenging my own assumptions of older people, as Velasque (2007) suggested that unintentional biases derived from assumptions about identity often leads to poor engagement in therapeutic work.
On reflection, I need to be more knowledgeable of services available to older people, which I can signpost clients to (e.g. The Active Retirement Association). This would have been beneficial for my client as she had just retired and was finding the adjustment challenging. James (2008) suggests that adjusting to change is a common psychological factor older people face. Using this concept and normalising my client’s retirement difficulties proved beneficial for the client to explore and enhanced the working alliance.
During consecutive sessions I further developed my adaptations using James’ (2008) suggestions for poor