For those who work in a helping role, it can be very challenging when clients are vulnerable, stressed-out, or quick to engage in conflict. Complicating matters is that difficult dynamics in the relationship are often amplified by different styles of communicating. This workshop reviews what contributes to these challenges, including the intra-personal, inter-personal, and organizational factors. By looking at case studies, participants will learn how to alter their interactions with clients they find difficult in order to transform unhealthy relational patterns into more positive interactions and outcomes.

At the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:
• Identify patterns of escalating difficult behaviour
• Describe common patterns in communication that cause conflict
• List the external and internal factors that contribute to difficult client relationships
• Describe effective communication with someone who is experiencing mental health challenges
• Practice key interventions with three common patterns of difficult behaviour
• Know how to facilitate a cycle of cooperative behaviour