Romeo Strengths:

Romeo is forthright about his marijuana use. Given that honesty is an important component of dealing with any client, this strength must be acknowledged. Romeo has also come forward to willingly seek assistance, which suggests that he is trying to make a change in his life. Romeo is also highly resourceful, in the manner in which he has been able to survive on the streets.

When dealing with Romeo, who might speak English as a second language, the counselor must be careful in terms of how he comports himself, regarding his nonverbal language. Romeo may feel defensive if the counselor moves in too close, for example, and may interpret this as a threat thanks to his previous experiences in a violent environment (Murphy & Dillon 2010: 103).

Given Romeo's history, he likely has low self-esteem, which is manifested in his anxiety, and the counselor must also be mindful of his responsibility to convey unconditional positive regard to Romeo, stressing that Romeo is a valuable person who should show respect for himself (Murphy & Dillon 2010:128).

Romeo: I'm a worthless person

Finally, the counselor must carefully use questions to build Romeo's trust. Asking probing, well-timed questions is essential to discover what Romeo really wants in life.
Goals:

The first, most immediate goal for Romeo's treatment is dealing with his depression, particularly given the fact that he has expressed suicidal ideation. The second important goal is for Romeo to be honest with the counselor about his gang involvement. The counselor may need to refer Romeo to a specialist in helping young men to disengage from the gang lifestyle. Finally, an important goal is for Romeo to identify his long-term life goals, such as getting a job or a degree, and creating short-term steps that will…