12 AUGUST 1,2009
Smoke Signals
Client-therapist relationship
affects outcome of counseling
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Asphalt is poured in the entrance drive of the Tribal campus as a
crew from Salem Road & Driveway pave it on Monday, July, 27.
FOR SALE
2005 Salem Travel Trailer. 26' with one slide. Sleeps 6 comfortably.
Comes complete with sway bar and weight distributing hitch and two
almost full propane tanks. Most accessories inside included also.
The colors on the outside of the trailer are the colors on the inside.
Has a queen-size island bed and a couch that makes into a bed and the
dining room table also makes into a bed. Full bath with amazing room.
Outside shower and BBQ which attach to the outside.
I'm selling it only for the amount to pay off the loan which is just
under $14,700. The payoff would be lower, or if you would qualify to
take over the loan; 'either way.
I've used it 4 or 5 times, non-smoking and only 2 owners.
If you have any questions or if you want to see it, please call 503-879-1486
or at home after 4 p.m. at 503-879-9003 or by cell 971-237-3696.
, : ii;. :
"III I r -' W
"tr-H.H
4
H'ujr x?z!:
r , . - ... i
By Tom Bender
Tribal Mental Health counselor
Studies show that most of the
magic that happens in counseling
is a direct outcome of the quality
of the relationship between client
and therapist.
This might sound like an obvious
statement, but what it is saying is
that therapeutic technique is less
important than the level of trust
and empathy a client feels between
themselves and the counselor.
Some people come to their first
counseling session and lay all their
emotional cards right on the table.
Others play it close to the vest
and need to see over time that the
therapist can be trusted.
There is no wrong way of being a
client. People trust or don't trust,
raise or lower their guards exactly
as they feel moved to do so.
Many clients have pointed out to
me that the counseling room is an
"artificial environment." I take this
to mean that even though they have
come to sit in a private space to talk
to a paid professional about their
lives, it isn't "real," and therefore
cannot be considered an extension
of the outside world.
Years ago, I took a class in Coun
seling Relationships. This involved
one of the students playing "the
client" while another played "the
therapist." Understandably, nobody
wanted to reveal their true life prob
lems when they were the client. After
all, who wants to pour their hearts
out in front of 14 psychology students
analyzing their every word?
Instead, somebody asked our
teacher if we could role play the
In an effort to inform and
assist the community at large,
Smoke Signals is publishing
a monthly article addressing
various mental health issues
written by a member of the
Behavioral Health Depart
ment at Health & Wellness.
They welcome e-mails, letters
and questions from people
with mental health-related
questions at torn. bender
grandronde.org.
client; in essence pretend we were
someone else. The teacher smiled
and said, "Of course."
She later told us that studies
have shown that people can sustain
a role play for about 10 minutes
before reverting back to their true
selves. In other words, even when
trying to play an imaginary client,
in almost no time at all we were all
just playing ourselves.
This is often the case in life. We
all have masks that we present to
the outside world, but whether we
know it or not, we reveal ourselves
in everything we do, everything we
say, in how we react to the trials in
our lives and the joys.
The counseling room is not just
about creating a safe haven where
people can share their hearts (al
though it is that); it's a place for
people to reveal their authentic
selves to another human being and
find out they will still be respected
and accepted, warts and all.
What could be more real than
that?D
Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:30 4 p.m.
Tribal Education Building
Contact Joanne Carr at 603-879-2282 or joanne.carrgrandronde.org
4 v :'$& ''
iavlx
Q
'Mml
jW.
Sept. 4, 5 and 6
Please join the Cultural Resources Department
for an informative weekend workshop on tradi
tional technologies. Participants will learn
about basketry, caning, harvesting and pro
cessing techniques, fishing technologies, and
flint knapping. All materials and food will be
provided. There b an area for camping and
very limited cabin space for Elders and
disabled. Event will take place In Alsea,
Oregon. A limited amount of transportation
will be provided. Please Cafl Misty Thorsgard
to sign up and receive more information.
Limit to the first 30 people.
rUfl MJ-I79U2
Fin mj ? im
$25 i ;1
o o
.a
s
'A'iiuanH?
Ad created by George Vaktet
Ad created by George Vaklef