we have different experience (Dionisius Ferdi Weros)

Humans are made through their life experiences. Our behaviors, even the most erratic ones, are molded by daily life activities. Some people might experience the same events, but others could experience vastly different things. Sometimes, they will be involved in something that most people will never experience. We need to remember that even if someone had a same experience, they can precept that experience differently. How we precept stuff is also affected by our past experience. So, experience and perception are things that go along together. Genetics, of course, also have important contribution, but in this blog post we will talk more about the importance of understanding client's history in psychological healing process.

Psychological disorders or abnormal behaviors don't occur suddenly without any good reason, for example post-traumatic stress disorder usually occur after traumatic experience. It becomes very important for psychologist to know and understand the clients' experiences and how they affect their current behavior. There's a lot of stuff that we need to talk about when we interview the client, such as the client's family, friends, habit, daily life activities, past trauma, and many more. After gathering this information, a psychologist could gain in insight what cause the clients' abnormal behaviors. For example, after checking the client's family background, a psychologist knew that she was a physical abuse victim. The psychologist realized that her past experience, as an abuse victim, could be the explanation for her current abusive behavior as a mother. That's why Madam Henny said that as psychologist we need at least one meeting to gain all kinds of information about the client's history. The information will help the psychologist on interpreting the client's behavior and psychotherapy process after knowing the reason.

Understanding the client's history is also an important thing. Imagine, one day, as psychologist, you meet a client that told her she want to die because she broke up from her boyfriend after dating only for three months. Honestly, I feel that it is a very simple problem because you're not yet married to him. Sometimes, it feels very weird to see clients that needs help for a very simple problem. There are so many bigger problems in the world. How is it possible for the client to solve bigger problems if they need help a psychologist for a "simple" problem? We, as psychologist, need to realize that everyone have a different perception. A "simple" problem for a person might be a disaster for the others. Generalizing perception is a very dangerous mistake to occur during interview process. It is important for psychologist not to be so judgmental towards the client. It is very important for us to be neutral during the interview process.

In conclusion, we, humans, are created through genetic process. At the same time, we grew up and experience a lot of things. Genetic process and experience could help us know the reason of our behavior. So, it is very important for psychologist to know about the client's history. But, simply knowing is not enough, we need to understand the client's perception. Knowing the client's history and understanding their perception are two main weapons for psychologist to help them grow up and become a better person.

24 Maret 2013