Real-Life Decision Making
Jerry is depressed. He doesn't like working for someone else. He thinks
all he is doing is working his heart out to line his boss's pockets. As an
accountant, he thinks he should quit the firm and start his own company at
home.
Because you're a rehabilitation counselor, he comes to you for advice and
assistance. He tells you of his great plans to work from home, drum up his
own business and truly make it on his own.
You nod encouragement as you take in Jerry's obvious enthusiasm. But you
are far from convinced that this is something that Jerry, who has a mental
health problem and history of depression, should consider.
You have some knowledge about what it takes to be self-employed. In fact,
your brother-in-law is self-employed and all he talks about is how he has
to be on all the time. The responsibility of his operation rests totally on
his shoulders.
You also know that depression is cyclical. Jerry may feel upbeat now, but
he is also prone to falling into a deep malaise.
"A rehabilitation counselor might react and tell the client this isn't
a good idea," says Margaret Glenn. She is a professor of rehabilitation counseling.
What do you do?