Role play

I had an interesting experience on FW this week. My client that I have seen from the beginning was dc'd, so I got a new patient. My instructor and I went into his room, and right off the bat he was very willing to talk, articulate (as we found out he was a retired professor), and had a pleasant personality. The instructor and I talked with him for about 15 min., when we decided to do the treatment in his room so he could ice his swollen ankle. Ms. M headed back to get all my supplies that I had left in the activity room, where we had originally planned to do the session. Well, as soon as the teacher left, my client let into me! First thing he said was "do you know what I would have done if a student had come into my classroom without pencil and paper?" - and despite the fact that I told him more than once that all my supplies were a different room that we had planned to work in, he didn't take to kindly to it. Now, the original plan was for us to get to know each other and maybe play some cards for this first session; when I tried to make conversation he basically told me that socializing wasn't getting him anywhere and I needed to check the charts before I asked him these questions. When I asked him what kind of activities he liked, he basically said it didn't matter what he wanted to do, he was going to do what the therapists told him to. This went on for about 10 min. (but it seemed much longer!)

To make a long story short, I was very much caught off guard, and did not expect that. After I left I thought about what just happened? He is a man who very much likes to be in control, and I think he took on the professor/student role, since he used to be a professor. At the time it wasn't "fun", but looking back it is very interesting to see how past roles can influence someone's behavior. It was another reminder that really knowing our clients and their backgrounds can greatly influence how we approach and work with them. It was definitley a learning experience- and I have learned that the way I respond can just as well have as much effect on how the session will turn out.