Dear Ruth,
I am studying to get my B.A. in Communicative Disorders, and am scheduled to begin helping at our school's speech clinic. As this will be my first time actually working with a client, I am a bit nervous. Do you have any tips for a first-time clinician?

B.A.

Dear B.A.,

Take all of what you have learned and put it into the background. Let this knowledge inform, but not drive, your interactions. Instead, become a student of each new client. What can you discern about this unique person?

Look for the strengths, even if you have to adjust your microscope to find them. What improved function does this person want and need? Find or create a clear path on which they can progress to the next small part of that. Set goals 'just out of reach, but not out of sight' (Denis Waitley).

Remember that your relationship with each client is, first of all, a relationship. It is in some ways an unequal relationship--the other person is looking to you for help and guidance. Therefore, you are responsible to treat your clients, and the significant people in their lives, with empathy, genuineness, concreteness and positive regard (Robert R. Carkhuff, Bernard G.Berenson). These four qualities can make all the difference to those you seek to help .

Best Wishes,
Ruth Alice Jurey, M.S.
Speech/Language Pathologist

I wish

to encourage

belief

in the

human ability

to learn.

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