Category: Articles

Did you get a chance to look at the November clouds? They were just out of this world. The weather played a great part in the drifts, the shades of grey, the texture, the long clouds that stretched beyond the trees and over the mountains. Then the late sunrise that added a dash of orange or the lightening flash that exposed the gentle folds in the clouds belly.

It is the rhythms that count. The rhythms of  the clouds, the rhythms of the spirit, those that dance and course through life itself. The movement in gestation from conception to birth; the diastole and systole of the heart; the awareness of each successive breath; the ebb and flow of tides in response to the pull of the moon and the sun; the wheeling of the seasons from one equinox or one solstice to another.

These universal rhythms, not the eternally passing seconds registered on clocks and watches and not the days and months and years that the calendar imposes, define the time that is our true home and habitation, the time we dwell within, until our days are ended. The now of the rhythms we are aware. If we lose consciousness of them, we become alienated from ourselves. (Allen Lacy, The Inviting Garden: Gardening for the Senses, Mind, and Spirit, 1998)

We too have rhythms and ritual that guide us through the days.  Rituals that mark our rising and going to bed, cleaning and caring, cooking and eating, greeting and working, playing, fighting and celebrating.

Gaining consciousness of these rituals and awareness that they need to be changed or adapted to suit new occasions when the time arises , speak volumes to the  level of self care that we afford ourselves.

FATIGUE MANAGEMENT: A Health and Safety Issue

It’s time to pay attention to sleep. This is what is trending in the EAP world as an urgent issue to be addressed. So says Chestnut Global Partners (CGP) Trends Report 2015 (www.chestnutglobalpartners.org).  CGP, an international EAP Provider, in its analysis of what is occurring in the field of Employee Assistance has focused on how lack of sleep — both quality and quantity — is affecting all levels of today’s workforce.

“The trend suggests that the increased yearning for better quality sleep, particularly among people dealing with increased workloads, increased stress levels, and shift work, all of which undermine quality, restful sleep. While the importance of a good night’s sleep on one’s ability to function day-to-day has been known for years, recent research is now shedding light on the link between inadequate sleep and an increased risk for diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and depression.”

The Chestnut Global report highlights the fact that if sleep disorders are untreated organizations stand to pay a heavy price. From a safety standpoint they quote two pieces of research to emphasise their argument:

• those with moderate to severe sleep apnea are twice as likely to have a traffic accident, and
• an individual who is awake for longer than 17 hours is impaired at a similar level as an individual with a blood alcohol content of 0.05. (AM Williamson and Anne-Marie Feyer, Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, October 2000)

Fatigue as a concern in safety-sensitive industries such as manufacturing, mining, petrochemical, health care, transportation, and any industry requiring shift work has been around for decades. While many of these industries have addressed fatigue primarily from an organizational level by focusing on roster adjustments and napping policies, etc, the root cause of worker fatigue: the quantity and/or quality of sleep, must now be placed on top of the agenda.

Obtaining the proper quality and quantity of sleep becomes a personal choice. If you are obtaining enough quality sleep – even if working a demanding job – you will have sufficient energy and focus to be safe and productive. This is the principle of how the mind and body works. Yet, many people are not aware or take the time to seek possible help when experiencing energy depletion or sleepiness on the job. There is a need for organizational health and safety programs to offer services that target the underlying causes of fatigue, which range from undiagnosed medical conditions to unhealthy behavioural and lifestyle habits.

Keeping your eyes wide open depends on how long and how well you kept them closely shut the night before.

 

Ethics and the Counselling Experience

Being ethical in the counselling session means showing a level of respect, consideration and understanding to those involved in the therapeutic session, i.e. the client. These ethical behaviours are guided by standards set forth by the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (2002, 2010). While the standards cover areas like competence, confidentiality, education, training and research, there are two standards that govern the relationship between therapist and client. They are Human Relations (Standard 3) and Therapy (Standard 10). Below are a few sub-standards from these two standards that can be taken in for consideration during the counselling session.

 

3.01 Unfair Discrimination

In their work-related activities, psychologists do not engage in unfair discrimination based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or any basis proscribed by law.

In layman terms, this means that psychologists do not treat people unfairly or provide them with lesser quality of care. Also, your treatment should not be influenced by bias, bigotry, or prejudicial feelings just because they are outside your personal experience in some basic way (Nagy, 2010).

 

3.04 Avoiding Harm

Psychologists take reasonable steps to avoid harming their clients and others with whom they work, and to minimize harm where it is foreseeable and unavoidable.

Avoiding harm or non-malfeasance, is a very important if not the most important aspect in counselling. There should never be an intention to harm clients, however, if there are cases where someone will be harmed by your actions, attempts should be made to minimize harm if possible (Nagy, 2010).

 

3.06 Conflict of Interest

Psychologists refrain from taking on a professional role when personal, scientific, professional, legal, financial, or other interests or relationships could reasonably be expected to (1) impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness in performing their functions as psychologists or (2) expose the person or organization with whom the professional relationship exists to harm or exploitation.

According to Nagy (2010), psychologists never accept someone as a client when there is a good chance that other interests or relationships could detract from impartiality, proficiency in doing your job or expose the person or organization to harm, mistreatment, or exploitation. Conflicts of interest may include but are not limited to personal (e.g. family, friends, co-workers), financial, legal or scientific relationships.

 

Ethics in the Counselling session

10.01 Informed Consent to Therapy

(a) When obtaining informed consent to therapy as required in Standard 3.10, Informed Consent, psychologists inform clients as early as is feasible in the therapeutic relationship about the nature and anticipated course of therapy, fees, involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality and provide sufficient opportunity for the client to ask questions and receive answers. (See also Standards 4.02, Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality, and 6.04, Fees and Financial Arrangements.) (b) When obtaining informed consent for treatment for which generally recognized techniques and procedures have not been established, psychologists inform their clients of the developing nature of the treatment, the potential risks involved, alternative treatments that may be available, and the voluntary nature of their participation. (See also Standards 2.01e, Boundaries of Competence, and 3.10, Informed Consent.)

(c) When the therapist is a trainee and the legal responsibility for the treatment provided resides with the supervisor, the client, as part of the informed consent procedure, is informed that the therapist is in training and is being supervised and is given the name of the supervisor.

Always obtain informed consent before beginning therapy. Discuss fees, treatment, confidentiality and limits to confidentiality.

 

10.05 Sexual Intimacies with Current Therapy Clients

Psychologists do not engage in sexual activities/intimacies with their clients. This includes but is not limited to sexual intercourse, touching,, hugging, suggestive speech and verbal and non-verbal behaviour that may be interpreted as being sexual by the client.

Further information on these standards and others can be found at  www.apa.org/ethics

References:

• American Psychological Association. (2002). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct with 2010 Amendments. Washington, DC: Author
• Nagy, T. (2010). Ethics in plain English: An Illustrative Casebook for Psychologists, Second Edtion.

 

Researched by Abena Noel, M.Sc.

As community violence has increased in Trinidad and Tobago in recent years, parents have been concerned about the health and safety of their children. Elder Associates Limited acknowledges the importance of helping children live safe and healthy lives. We also understand that health and safety requires parents to help children to make smart choices and follow guidelines provided by adults who care for their welfare.  However, children with emotional and behavioural disabilities may find it difficult to follow instructions. These children can present as a challenge to parents, who may be frustrated or feel hopeless in attempts to provide effective discipline. At times, parents will view corporal punishment as an effective and immediate way to address behavioural problems.  In response to these concerns, Elder Associates Limited has established the following stance on use of corporal punishment.

 

WHAT IS CORPORAL PUNISHMENT?

Corporal punishment is defined by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child as the following:

Any punishment in which physical force is used and intended to cause some degree of pain or discomfort, however light. Most involves hitting (smacking, slapping, spanking) children with the hand or with an implement – a whip, stick, belt, shoe , wooden spoon etc. But it can also involve, for example kicking, shaking or throwing children, scratching, pinching, biting, pulling hair or boxing ears, forcing children to stay in uncomfortable positions, burning, scalding or forced ingestion (for example washing children’s mouths out with soap or forcing them to swallow hot spices).

 

EAL’s Statement on Corporal Punishment

   Elder Associates Limited

Statement Regarding Corporal Punishment

“Elder Associates Limited clinicians and staff do not endorse use of corporal punishment for discipline of children. This stance is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children, Article 37 on Human Rights Standards and Corporal Punishment of Children. Elder Associates Limited views use of corporal punishment having long-term effects that do not benefit the well-being and healthy emotional development of children.”

 

ALTERNATIVES TO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Elder Associates Limited recommends that parents and caregivers learn alternatives to corporal punishment and more effective approaches to discipline.   Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement have been found to be the most effective methods to support children in the development of positive behaviour. Open communication with children about expected behaviours and safety is also critical to promoting healthy child development. When expectations are not met, discipline should be consistent and appropriate for the child’s

age.  Additionally, consistent supervision, love and attention are crucial to the promotion of healthy emotional development for children.

 

COUNSELLING SUPPORT

Elder Associates Limited is committed to supporting the development of the above parenting skills: positive reinforcement, open communication, consistent supervision and attention. These skills can be supported through individual and family counselling.

Elder Associates Limited has also partnered with community organizations; such as GRAPES for Life (http://grapesforlife.com) to support community education, workshops and social media initiatives to build effective parenting skills.  We believe that this approach will enhance the well-being of families in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Note: In the case that parents have been using corporal punishment, parents will be encouraged to use alternative means of discipline.  Additional assessment will be provided to ensure that incidences of child abuse are not occurring.   It is the policy of Elder Associates Limited to report any cases of child neglect or abuse to the relevant authorities.