Another Day

So here I am again with a blank screen in front of me. I think the topic for today will be repeat clients. What do we think of a repeat client when we usually don't have a caseload at work? For example, my work on the helpline, or what if we work in a hospital, or a homeless shelter. I'm sure I could think of other venues where a repeat client would not be the ideal goal of social work practice.

But wait, maybe it doesn't need to be something that "isn't ideal". Maybe people are just different and need different patterns of assistance. But do we allow for that? Do we acknowledge that individuality may necessitate different scales to measure success in the same work environment? hmmm.... are these repeat clients easily described as "outliers" on a graph of rehabilitation?

I hear the groans in my office, or the apologies from the receptionist, introducing the presence of a repeat caller on in our call cue. I might be a little different though, I crave the insight to a long-term counseling relationship with a client. It allows me to see how they grow and struggle to learn new concepts. But maybe I'm just accustomed to the long-term care setting of a nursing home, where I have worked before. I don't feel that we as a helpline have failed a caller if they call every night, I think it is good that they have found a mode of expression that helps soothe them each day/night. But aren't we supposed to link the caller to support systems in their our community? Where's the personal or coping skill growth in a client if they call every day? It's still very hard for me to consolidate in my mind.