Elements and Performance Criteria
- Assist client to provide a history of the problem
- Provide a safe and welcoming environment for the client to begin to tell their story
- Assist client to provide pertinent details of their story causing them distress
- Assist client to identify predominant emotions linked to their story
- Assist client to identify thought processes linked with their story including negative self statements, spoken or thought
- Assist client to identify how they would prefer to feel, think and be (provide a positive target)
- Assist client identify earliest memories of present emotions and negative self statements associated with other events which may link with their present story
- Assist client to identify areas in the body that currently cause them distress
- Work with client to identify areas in the body where there are signs of tension or anxiety
- Assist client to identify times in the day when these unpleasant body sensations are worst
- Help client identify times when somatic distress is lessened or when it is not noticed
- Assist client to identify predominant thoughts and emotions linked with the somatic distress
- Use scaling techniques to measure effectiveness of therapeutic intervention
- Select scaling technique appropriate to address diverseclient needs
- Assist client to identify the level of distress through utilising the scaling technique
- While working with the somatic distress reduction technique use scaling techniques to provide feedback
- At the conclusion of working with the client use appropriate scaling technique to clarify for client the benefit or otherwise of the technique
- Use this information to either encourage home use of the method for somatic distress reduction or to refer the client for further support
- Use appropriate somatic distress reduction therapeutic application
- Select appropriate somatic distress reduction technique to address diverseclient needs
- Assist client to understand how the selected technique works and its benefits and limitations
- Provide clear instructions to client about appropriate use of the technique selected
- Work with client appropriately to address their somatic distress, providing care and assurance
- Conclude session, providing appropriate suggestions to calm and ease the client into the present environment again
- Assist client to become grounded and centred after the therapy
- Assist client to move their body in a usual manner
- Check with client for normality of body sensation, thought and emotion
- Ask client about their plans for the rest of the day and provide appropriate support and guidance to assist client to maintain grounded and centred state
- Plan with client continued sessions if required
- Support client to utilise techniques safely in home environment to reduce stress or sadness
- Assess benefits gained from using the somatic distress reduction technique for the client
- Assess appropriateness of using the technique at home by the client when needed
- Provide support and guidance for client using handouts or hand written notes for use in private
- Provide contact opportunities for client to gain extra support at home if required
- Provide appropriate referral for clients experiencing extremely high levels of somatic distress
- Provide calming and caring presence to support clients experiencing distress after working with somatic distress reduction techniques
- Successfully identify symptoms of high somatic distress in clients
- Successfully identify symptoms of dissociation or unusual presentations requiring further support
- Provide contact details of medical practitioners, psychologists, or hospital emergency centres and after hours counselling phone lines if required
- Support client with access to safe places if they are identified as unable to adequately care for themselves