[HumanSer] Experience with working in residential treatment

[Sarah Meyer]

JD,
Thanks so much for your email. It gave me some great ideas and the
encouragement I needed for my interview. It was really helpful to be
able to say, I know that there are blind therapists who have
successfully worked in this type of setting/population. I have a
sinking feeling though because she highlighted the need for all staff
to be able to use all five senses to observe body language at all
times and to see if someone is coming at them with a shank, for
example. She also said that it is a job requirement to be able to
drive clients in case of an emergency and needing to evacuate. I
offered to provide the EEOC guidance on this and she seemed open to
it. I'm just discouraged and concerned they will not want to hire me
because I disclosed I am blind in this second interview.

Sarah

On 12/2/20, 43210 at bellsouth.net <43210 at bellsouth.net> wrote:
> Excellent, go for that second interview.
>
> I have worked in residential facilities and in an adolescent psychiatric
> hospital.
>
> The things your facility is most looking for might well be comfort in being
> part of a treatment team, in providing group therapy, and in forming
> relationships with teens.
>
> I have taken many, many classes in restraint training, but have never been
> a
> physical restrainer myself.  Rather I use verbal de-escalation.  No client
> ever attacked me.  In situations where restraint was needed, I took the job
> of traffic control, clearing clients from the area, standing at a exit to
> block elopement, or carrying messages to other team members.
>
> As to blindness.  Your clients will be interested in blindness, you will
> most often be their first experience.  Expect questions like, "Who dresses
> you?"  I used my blindness to ask assistance from upset kids, a positive
> chore can calm a teen who is expecting staff punishment, I would ask if I
> might follow their elbow to get somewhere, moving them from the scene of
> distress.  I had groups work together as one at a time walked, blindfolded
> with my white cane or with my dog guide.  This is a confidence and trust
> exercise.    Staff found that some kids, such as trafficked and sexually
> abused kids may feel more comfortable opening up when their therapist could
> not look at them.  The body shame is easier to handle when their bodies are
> not exposed.
>
> You will be great at showing kids what a positive attitude can do and how
> the NFB philosophy can apply to other circumstances.
>
>
> JD
> -----Original Message-----
> From: HumanSer <humanser-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Sarah Meyer via
> HumanSer
> Sent: Tuesday, December 1, 2020 6:12 PM
> To: humanser at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Sarah Meyer <sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [HumanSer] Experience with working in residential treatment
>
> Good evening everyone,
> I am wondering if anyone has had any experience working in a residential
> facility as a therapist? I have a second interview tomorrow with a
> residential facility for adolescence with behavioral issues and some coming
> from human trafficking. I just have a few questions. What were some
> challenges as a blind therapist in this setting and what was rewarding
> about
> it? Also, were you trained in using physical restraint and is that
> something
> that you ever had to use?
> Thanks in advance for your help.
>
> Sarah
>
> Sent from the  iPhone of Sarah Meyer
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-- 
Sarah K. Meyer
Graduate Student, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Ball State University
Pronouns: she/her/hers. See
www.mypronouns.org
sarah.meyer55 at gmail.com
(317)402-6632

The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
characteristic that defines you or your future. You can live the life
you want; blindness is not what holds you back. Together with love,
hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality.