Busy Buddy

I work at an addictions treatment facility. My facility focuses on drugs, not gambling, sex, or other types of addictions. I am what you might call a...chemical dependency technician (bet that'll look good on a résumé, right?). Basically, I babysit the clients while I'm there, usually second shift which is from about 2:30p.m. until 10:30p.m., which is when all the clients go to bed.

There's a client that is here now we'll call 'Ken'. I really like Ken. He's funny, not unintelligent, and a relatively happy person. (Un)Fortunately he doesn't quite have what it takes to sit still. He's usually up and moving, whether it's following me around, out in the courtyard playing ping pong, or sitting at a table and making people laugh, he is definitely not my definition of 'mellow'. But that's alright, for the most part, since I'm only with him four days out of the week.

My issue is whether or not he and I are spending too much time together. Are we getting too "buddy-buddy"? Do the other clients feel put off by the fact that I spend the majority of my time talking through his problems with him? How do the other staff members feel about the way I treat him? Have they even noticed? Do they care at all?

I'm not exactly frantic over this, but it was a thought that had run through my head a couple of times during the past few days. I don't think I'll worry about it too much. Especially since he'll be leaving before the week is up. He's got a job and a half-way house room set up and waiting for him. I'm proud of the progress he's made, but I still think he has a long way to go. He allows himself to get upset over the most trivial things entirely too easily. He talks back to staff a lot when they attempt to correct or reprimand his behavior.

But he, and all the other clients, never treat me this way. When I ask them to do something, it gets done. The difference may lie in the fact that I try to be as respectful towards the clients as I can. I've noticed that a lot of the other staff members never think the clients are innocently enjoying themselves no matter what they may (not) be doing, and they speak to the clients as if they are rude pets or disobedient children. I told my supervisor before she actually hired me that I thought that I might be a bit too trusting for the job, but she didn't seem to think that it was a big problem.

Well, I've got a three month review coming up in a few weeks. Hopefully I won't be let go. I've been told that I would have to be attempting termination in order to actually be fired, but (unbeknownst to other staff) that's a task I'm overqualified for.