My Internship Period, Essay Example

Since my internship period, my observation concerning the interaction between service users and service providers has improved. As the relationship these service providers have with the users has made it easier for customers to freely interact with providers without any constraint. Based on my observations, service users do not normally hide their feelings, but openly say what concerns them. This attitude strengthens the relationship between users and providers. Staff members – based on my observations – do not use reflective responding skills when interacting with the service users. Instead, they use counseling skills, especially during one to one meetings with service users. They often seat the service user down at the office, while using the SOLAR.

The main factor of success I have experienced using reflective responding is that it helped me understand what point service users are trying to put across most of the time. At times, I don’t hear or understand what they say exactly, but using reflective responding, they reinstate it for me to get the clear understanding of what is being said. One additional benefit of using the technique is that service users will know I’m listening and paying attention, as well. While reflecting responding has several benefits, I have encountered some challenges, too. The major challenge I found is finding the right word and intensity for responding reflectively.

Further challenges I have experienced with regards to staff members is that they don’t set a routine I have to follow every week. I have to ask for a task or jump in, instead of having something assigned for me already. This is hard for me, because I feel like if I don’t ask for an assignment and sit down, it will look like I’m not doing anything, which I dislike. The positive experience I had with staff members is that they are good teachers, comfortable to work with, and they involve me in all areas of the job.