Blindspots… we all have them

Caption: Impact at interview (online image)
URL: insideoutimage.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/What-is-your-blind-spot-.jpg

Blind spots according to Mark Young are “holes in our view of the world (2016).” Imagine you are driving down the highway, you look behind you, you look to the left and then the right. You indicate to merge into the next lane and begin moving over without realizing there is a car right next you. It’s in your blind spot! 

Clients have a similar experience when telling the story of their life. Clients attempt to keep themselves from dealing with the problem by burying it, pretending it doesn’t exist (ignoring it), or even self-medicating. Unfortunately, the problem never goes away. Instead, when the client is ready to make a move, the problem presents itself with a flashback of past experiences.Traumatic experiences tend to influence our focus and take our attention away from what’s coming or dangerously close. Blind spots can happen to anyone while preventing the individual from taking a moment to examine underlying causes for their actions. However, “…without support, the client does not engage in self-examination…” (Young, 2016, pg. 149). 

It is important for counselors to become sensitive to personal blind spots and to potential blind spots in clients. Creating a safe place to encourage trust and openness is the first step to change. Thoughts and feelings are addressed and the client freely and openly shares concerns and thoughts. The trust between client and counselor provides an avenue for feedback and confrontation while supporting. A unique opportunity is formed to protect and teach the client to be self-aware. 

Reference

Young, Mark E. (2016). Learning the art of helping: Building blocks and techniques 6^th edition. New York: Pearson Education.