Sarah was picked up for prostitution and has been mandated to attend counselling. She left home at 14 and is now 23. She does not list a home address on the intake form, only a cell phone number. She does not offer presenting concerns, because she says she is just here to put in her time to satisfy the judge.

Sarah who has been picked up for prostitution and has been mandated to attend counselling, however she does not present any concerns, she states she is just here to put in her time to satisfy the judge. When working with such scenario my values and client values do not align, therefore to understand clients perspective will be challenging, moreover I might see the issue through my worldview lens. Thus to prepare to such session I would review ethical codes, and focus on clients putting my worldview aside.

Abila is an international student. She is in her mid-twenties. She has been in Canada for three years and is set to return home to Lebanon in six months. Her family is very conservative and expects her to marry the Lebanese man to whom she was engaged before she came to Canada. She is suffering from depression and anxiety.

What competencies (i.e., knowledge, attitudes, or skills) might you seek to develop to prepare to work with those clients with whom you felt the least comfortable or competent?