Egan Chapter 2

While reading chapter 2 and this week article, I noticed how it related to the articles from last week readings. In chapter 2 of the Egan’s text he discussed the helping relationship and the values that drive that relationship. In this chapter he addresses how the helper should behave towards the client and how important the helper and client relationship is. Just like the helper and client relationship, values also play an important role in the helping process. There are five values presented to us in the chapter; respect, empathy, proactive appreciation of diversity, self-responsibility together with client empowerment, and bias toward action. These five values along with many other values help guide decision making. It also helps drive and build the helper and client relationship.
In the article conducted by O’Leary, Tsui and Ruch, they discuss the boundaries of social work relationships. They state that the social work relationship is both professional and unique. It is shaped based upon collaborative interaction and is created by mutually agreed-upon and context-specific set of boundaries (O’Leary, Tusi and Ruch, 2012, p.16). O’Leary et al. also stated that working

together with clients in a professional boundary setting, is more likely to have a positive impact on the relationship between the social worker and client. This article was kind of a difficult read to me at first but, after rereading and analyzing it, I was able to understand how it kind of relates to the Egan’s text.
While reading both of the readings there were a few points that stood out to me such as, the collaboration of helping and the values that drive the helping relationship.

I feel like these two statements are very important when trying to establish a helping relationship with the client. In my opinion both statements purposed true and valid explanations of the relationship, values and boundaries of a helping relationship. In order for a client to open up to a social worker or a helper in general the two must build a working alliance or collaborative relationship in order to achieve desired outcomes. Helping a client achieve their desired outcomes is a process that both the helper and client work through together. Outcomes are formed based upon the quality of both individual’s

interactions.
I think it is very important for the helper and client to work together on trying to better the clients current situation or condition. The more the two put in effort to work together the better the outcome. If a client doesn’t feel as if the helper is there for them, then it can make the outcomes harder to achieve. The helper has to show a sense of empathy and be able to look at things from their own view as well as the view of the client. The client also needs to be active in the relationship as well, in order for things to work out smoothly. The helper must be mindful and respectful of the client. Helpers are supposed to help clients not judge them or make them feel any less than what they are already feeling. Positive reinforcements can uplift the spirits some clients.
Both readings go well together because they focus on the collaboration of both the helper or social worker and the client. They explain the importance of the relationship, and how in order to have a successful outcome both the helper or social worker and client must work together. The more the helper shows the client that they are there to help them and listen to their story, the more openly the client will feel and the better the relationship or collaboration will be. Helpers must remember that the client’s feelings and preferences may not be the same as theirs and they should always be looking for the best outcome for the client, while being mindful of the client’s ideas, concerns and opinions.