Working with involuntary and mandated clients
Having a client who is committed and court-ordered to case management services changes the nature of the relationship between the client and the case manager. Case management services are no longer voluntary; even if the client accepts the service. In addition to regular case management activities, the case manager is monitoring the client for compliance with the court-ordered services and other conditions of the commitment. The case manager may have to report regularly to the court as to the success of the client’s ICSP, court-ordered conditions and client’s compliance with these orders. If the client is on provisional discharge, the case manager may be in the position of having to recommend continuance of the commitment and/or revocation of the client’s provisional discharge. This situation may make the client resentful of the court’s power and the role of the case manager in this situation. Also, the client may not be as forthcoming with the case manager.
You have likely heard the statement numerous times start where the client is? This may be quite different than what you think the individual needs. Dr David Mee Lee, a psychiatrist who trains professionals throughout the country states that all clients “are always in the action stage for something they want.” The case manager’s job is to work side-by-side with the client to identify what the client is in the action stage to do.
A client may have mixed feelings about treatment and working with a case manager. Many of these feelings are a normal response to the situation. There are researched principles and techniques that case managers can learn to help with difficult situations such as this.