Sunday, August 3, 2014
Chapter 17 Conclusion
To conclude Counseling Theories I have learned a variety of theories and techniques that will undoubtedly help me in the future as a school counselor. When a student comes in to my office I will have a series of thoughts to determine how I want to approach helping that particular student. It is important to remember that my personal style and preferences are different than others. It is important to choose a technique that is empirically valid, stimulating, and practical. Knowing yourself is the first step in becoming an effective counselor. Without acknowledging our personal biases and beliefs, we could influence clients or students. Although I will clearly not be providing therapy to students, it was very interesting to learn the different perspectives and to gain knowledge related to counseling.
Chapter 16 Mindfulness Approaches
Mindfulness Approaches, more specifically, ACT Therapy was originated by Steven Hayes. ACT focuses on healthy thinking. It is important for individuals to remember that thoughts are just thoughts. ACT focuses on not letting clients give in to short term needs that are unhealthy. ACT focuses on the long term goals, and don't let short term wants get in the way of the future. ACT therapists very much hold clients accountable for their actions.
This approach insinuates that everyone should just "go with the flow." However, this is very hard for some people to accept. Students with a serious dilemma would perhaps benefit from reminding them that their issue is only temporary. Also, I think letting students know that "life happens" is a great way to prep them for future issues. Sometimes, things are out of our control. However, if a student does make a bad choice, as a ACT counselor it would be beneficial to talk with the student about the fact that they made that choice. Also, it would be important to discuss long term and short term goals.
This approach insinuates that everyone should just "go with the flow." However, this is very hard for some people to accept. Students with a serious dilemma would perhaps benefit from reminding them that their issue is only temporary. Also, I think letting students know that "life happens" is a great way to prep them for future issues. Sometimes, things are out of our control. However, if a student does make a bad choice, as a ACT counselor it would be beneficial to talk with the student about the fact that they made that choice. Also, it would be important to discuss long term and short term goals.
Chapter 15 Narrative Therapy
Narrative Therapy is most closely associated with Michael White and David Epston. Narrative Therapists are not focused on what motivates people. Rather, they are focused on an individual's story. The therapists work with clients to create meaning from the clients stories. The stories are comprised of experiences and interactions with others. Clients have multiple selves, and expressions change from situation to situation. The goal of Narrative Therapy is to take the story that the client has told and make what they can out of it. The goal is to deconstruct the problem stories and then make new, more desirable, stories.
In a K-12 setting this approach is pretty idealistic. However, with a mature student it could work well. A student who has great self control and ethics would benefit from this approach. If a student had a "story" of doing drugs and making bad choices, the student is probably labeled the "bad student." That is obviously a dominant story. According to this approach it would be the student's responsibility to make new choices and in turn make new dominant stories, to be labeled a "good kid."
Video: Narrative Session with Dr. Madigan and David about Frustration
In this video the client is trying to do well and it seems like there is not any room for a mistake. He often gets frustrated and mad. The counselor points out the things that he does to not be frustrated, such as soccer. And the boy agreed but said that he can't understand something he finds completely boring, like history. He cant understand and focus on this subject in particular because it is of no interest to him. The boredom then leads to frustration.The counselor points out that the characters themselves aren't boring but perhaps the way the story is told is what makes the subject boring. The counselor used Narrative Therapy in a very literal sense and asked the boy to literally write a new story. He can take the information and write a new story, to make homework more exciting.
In a K-12 setting this approach is pretty idealistic. However, with a mature student it could work well. A student who has great self control and ethics would benefit from this approach. If a student had a "story" of doing drugs and making bad choices, the student is probably labeled the "bad student." That is obviously a dominant story. According to this approach it would be the student's responsibility to make new choices and in turn make new dominant stories, to be labeled a "good kid."
Video: Narrative Session with Dr. Madigan and David about Frustration
In this video the client is trying to do well and it seems like there is not any room for a mistake. He often gets frustrated and mad. The counselor points out the things that he does to not be frustrated, such as soccer. And the boy agreed but said that he can't understand something he finds completely boring, like history. He cant understand and focus on this subject in particular because it is of no interest to him. The boredom then leads to frustration.The counselor points out that the characters themselves aren't boring but perhaps the way the story is told is what makes the subject boring. The counselor used Narrative Therapy in a very literal sense and asked the boy to literally write a new story. He can take the information and write a new story, to make homework more exciting.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Chapter 14 Solution Focused Therapy
Solution focused therapy is most closely associated with Steve de Shazer and colleagues. SF therapists are optimists.Counselors always believe that clients have strengths and resources. SF Therapists believe that clients are often too consumed by their difficulties to remember their strengths. According to SF therapy, it is the counselors role to help the client remember their strengths and help them realize their resources as well. SF counselors strive to maximize client potential, and they remind their clients that change is constantly occurring. SF therapists help clients to set small attainable goals. However it is important to note that it is the clients role to define the goal.
There are various ways to apply this theory to a PK-12 setting. One way is with students who are struggling with bullying. Students may feel like they are small or insignificant. This approach will help the students to focus on his/her strengths and use them to solve their own issue. The student can set small goals, such as ignoring the bully for one day.
Video: Dr. Berg With Robyn: Winning the Battle
Client is picking battles with husband and sister, and with everything in life. Counselor focuses on what she is doing well. Because the client is picking her battles, she has control. Suggestions for the client to try: pay attention to signals that tell the client that she can win that battle. Pretend that what her husband and sister do doesn't bother her anymore. In accordance with the theory, the counselor is suggesting that the clients language will create and define a new reality.
There are various ways to apply this theory to a PK-12 setting. One way is with students who are struggling with bullying. Students may feel like they are small or insignificant. This approach will help the students to focus on his/her strengths and use them to solve their own issue. The student can set small goals, such as ignoring the bully for one day.
Video: Dr. Berg With Robyn: Winning the Battle
Client is picking battles with husband and sister, and with everything in life. Counselor focuses on what she is doing well. Because the client is picking her battles, she has control. Suggestions for the client to try: pay attention to signals that tell the client that she can win that battle. Pretend that what her husband and sister do doesn't bother her anymore. In accordance with the theory, the counselor is suggesting that the clients language will create and define a new reality.
Chapter 13 Family Systems
Family Systems theory is most closely associated with Virginia Satir. According to this theory, a family is seen as a system. A family is a system of interrelated people and how they function together. What affects one part of the system affects another. Therefore, to understand an individual it is important to understand the entire system. It is impossible to fully understand one individual without the others. Despite resistance to change each family system constantly adapts to maintain itself in response to its members and environment.
Systems change through the family life cycle. Changes in family systems are caused by both nominative (predictable life cycle changes) and non-normative (crisis) stresses.
Video: Family Session: Pam, Judy, and Adrian
In this video session the daughter client talks about how it is hard fir her to be with her mom. She wants to do things on her own, but she feels like her mother tries to control her. The father often asks daughter to be nice to the mother. The father tries to push the mother and the daughter together. Then the mother gets angry because he tells her to change her tone of voice. The counselors suggests that the father and daughter work together to avoid having the mother tell them what to do. According to family systems all three clients are affecting each other. Perhaps the tension between the father and mother is related to the tension between the mother and daughter. However, it would be silly (according to the chapter) to infer causation.
Chapter 12 Feminist Therapy
No single individual is coined as the founder of FT. Instead, it emerged from feminist political philosophies. However, two early therapists who demonstred feminism in counseling early on include Alfred Adler and Karen Horney. Seemingly the main focus of Feminist Therapy is gender equity. Femist Therapy aims to eliminate patriarchy and end inequites based on gender. Feminists believe that gender is socially constructed and sex is biological. One saying that helps me with this concept is: "Gender is what it between your ears, sex is what is between your legs." Feminist counselors emphasize that clients have the power to define themselves. The oppression of women is a huge focus.
One scenario that I could imagine using this approach is with domestic abuse. Many teens experience violence from their partner. In American culture we are very patriarchal. We believe that males dominate and females should be pleasing to males. As a school counselor I would work with students who are experience violence and help them gain a sense of power and educate them on these very serious and real issues. Women can be strong and powerful. A glass ceiling may make it more difficult, but not impossible to succeed.
Video: Feminist Session: Dr. Moore and Helen
In this video the client discusses instances when she feels mad and takes it out on her kids, even though she knows it is inappropriate. She talks about how her whole life is about getting things done for everyone else, and at first she was not aware that it was like that. However, when became aware, she resented it. The counselor talks with the client about her role as a mother and how that role is valuable. But, it isn't seen as valuable in our culture. The counselor helps the client to feel like she isn't alone in her struggle. She talks about how many mothers feel powerlessness, and they too feel that what they're doing isn't valued. The two of them then discuss the lack of support in American culture for women, which is a feminist belief.
One scenario that I could imagine using this approach is with domestic abuse. Many teens experience violence from their partner. In American culture we are very patriarchal. We believe that males dominate and females should be pleasing to males. As a school counselor I would work with students who are experience violence and help them gain a sense of power and educate them on these very serious and real issues. Women can be strong and powerful. A glass ceiling may make it more difficult, but not impossible to succeed.
Video: Feminist Session: Dr. Moore and Helen
In this video the client discusses instances when she feels mad and takes it out on her kids, even though she knows it is inappropriate. She talks about how her whole life is about getting things done for everyone else, and at first she was not aware that it was like that. However, when became aware, she resented it. The counselor talks with the client about her role as a mother and how that role is valuable. But, it isn't seen as valuable in our culture. The counselor helps the client to feel like she isn't alone in her struggle. She talks about how many mothers feel powerlessness, and they too feel that what they're doing isn't valued. The two of them then discuss the lack of support in American culture for women, which is a feminist belief.
Chapter 11 Reality Therapy
William Glasser developed Reality Therapy. Although Reality Therapists believed that humans are essentially positive, they acknowledge that humans can also demonstrate negativity. This approach allows people to be in complete control of their own lives. People choose their own behaviors, behaviors are motivated to maximize pleasure and minimize pain. The gap between what we want and what we have is what motivates our behavior. Humans have five basic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom and fun.
As a school counselor I will definitely be incorporating Reality Therapy. One situation that I could apply this approach is with students who are making destructive decisions, such as students who are caught drinking and using drugs. Through this approach I would work the student to help him/her make better choices in the future. I would work with students to change what they want, change what they are doing, or change both. Perhaps a student is acting out for a specific reason, through RT I could help them change. Empowering students is very important. Instead of focusing on the past and focusing on bad memories, a school counselor could help a student look to the future and think of ways to make better choices.
Video: Individual: Re-framing Perceptions
This video is a perfect example of Reality Therapy. The therapist took a story that the client was trying to portray as negative, and turned it around to focus on the positives. The client crashed the reunion, he wasn't invited, so the counselor pointed out his determination to attend the party. The counselor then suggested that the client spread that determination to other aspects of his life such as his career. Instead of focusing on the negative and the past the counselor asked the client what would he like to be doing in the future.
As a school counselor I will definitely be incorporating Reality Therapy. One situation that I could apply this approach is with students who are making destructive decisions, such as students who are caught drinking and using drugs. Through this approach I would work the student to help him/her make better choices in the future. I would work with students to change what they want, change what they are doing, or change both. Perhaps a student is acting out for a specific reason, through RT I could help them change. Empowering students is very important. Instead of focusing on the past and focusing on bad memories, a school counselor could help a student look to the future and think of ways to make better choices.
Video: Individual: Re-framing Perceptions
This video is a perfect example of Reality Therapy. The therapist took a story that the client was trying to portray as negative, and turned it around to focus on the positives. The client crashed the reunion, he wasn't invited, so the counselor pointed out his determination to attend the party. The counselor then suggested that the client spread that determination to other aspects of his life such as his career. Instead of focusing on the negative and the past the counselor asked the client what would he like to be doing in the future.
Chapter 10 Cognitive Therapy
Cognitive Therapy is most closely associated with Aaron T. Beck. Cognitive Therapy focuses on the premise that emotions and behaviors are the product of our perceptions of situations. How you think and what you think are two big focuses for Cognitive Therapists. There are three levels of cognitive process according to this approach: pre-conscious, conscious, and meta-cognitive. The pre-conscious is the basis survival instincts which are out of awareness, the conscious is what we think, and meta-cognitive is thinking about the thought process. Cognitive Therapists focus on individuals schema's. Schemas are how individuals create meaning of information, and use the schema to drive actions.
One situation in school counseling that this applies to is testing. Cognitive Therapists have proven the impact of stereotype threat. As a school counselor, academics is one of the top three focuses. It will be important to educate teachers and administration about the effects of stereotype threat. If a female is reminded how much better males are at math right before taking a math exam, she will likely not perform as well. Also, it is important to remind educational professionals the importance of saying what you mean and meaning what you say. If a teacher calls a student a lazy dummy, the student may take on that schema and follow it.
Video: Cognitive Session
In this video session, the counselor talked with the client about the cognitive model. They discussed the process of how everything works. They discussed beliefs and automatic thoughts. The counselors presented a situation of a person walking down the street and they wave at a friend and she doesn't wave back, the person could have various different reactions. The client could either think, shes mad at me or maybe she didn't see me. The counselor points out the possibility of different behaviors for the same situation based on feelings and thoughts. Thoughts affect actions, the counselor wanted to focus on the evidence, is that thought accurate. This is a very clear example of a cognitive therapy session.
One situation in school counseling that this applies to is testing. Cognitive Therapists have proven the impact of stereotype threat. As a school counselor, academics is one of the top three focuses. It will be important to educate teachers and administration about the effects of stereotype threat. If a female is reminded how much better males are at math right before taking a math exam, she will likely not perform as well. Also, it is important to remind educational professionals the importance of saying what you mean and meaning what you say. If a teacher calls a student a lazy dummy, the student may take on that schema and follow it.
Video: Cognitive Session
In this video session, the counselor talked with the client about the cognitive model. They discussed the process of how everything works. They discussed beliefs and automatic thoughts. The counselors presented a situation of a person walking down the street and they wave at a friend and she doesn't wave back, the person could have various different reactions. The client could either think, shes mad at me or maybe she didn't see me. The counselor points out the possibility of different behaviors for the same situation based on feelings and thoughts. Thoughts affect actions, the counselor wanted to focus on the evidence, is that thought accurate. This is a very clear example of a cognitive therapy session.
Thursday, July 17, 2014
Chapter 9 Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy(REBT) is closely associated with Albert Ellis. According to REBT people are responsible for their own behaviors. People know what is "good" or "bad" based on community standards. However, it is important to note that a person's behavior doesn't define the person. Sometimes, good people make bad choices. There are ABC's of REBT; the activating event, the person's beliefs, and the consequence. Sometimes the ABC's don't happen in order, a believe may trigger an activating event for one person but not another. REBT has two goals: to eliminate irrational thinking and to teach the client unconditional self-acceptance.
REBT is used a lot in the K-12 setting. One situation that I would use REBT as a school counselor would be through role reversal. In congruence with REBT I would use role-reversal with humor and exaggeration to help the student gain perspective. This technique can help clients express and understand their feelings. Also, this technique and general approach can help students understand the perspective of others.
REBT is used a lot in the K-12 setting. One situation that I would use REBT as a school counselor would be through role reversal. In congruence with REBT I would use role-reversal with humor and exaggeration to help the student gain perspective. This technique can help clients express and understand their feelings. Also, this technique and general approach can help students understand the perspective of others.
Chapter 8 Behavior Therapy
Behavior Therapy is most often associated with the famous B.F. Skinner. This theory is based on the premise that individuals learn from their environment. Behaviors are reinforced. During therapy it is the counselors role to focus on the reinforcement of desirable behaviors and elimination unwanted behaviors. The counselor is expected to help the client learn new, better behaviors. Behavior therapists focus on the current causes of behavior rather than focusing on client history. Extinction is a common technique used by Behavior Therapists, a prime example of this technique is time-outs.
It is obvious that this approach can easily be applied to a PK-12 setting. One situation that it can be applied is through a token reward system with a struggling student. As a future school counselor, it will be my role to help students with various issues. One issue may be academics. If a student is struggling academically, a counselor may opt to use a token reward system. For example, if the student receives grades above 70 for one week, the student can choose a token such as a toy or piece of candy. The student could also lose tokens for bad grades. This is a classic example of Behavior Therapy that is used very frequently in schools.
Video: Cognitive-Behavior Approach with a Couple
Told a story about flying planes - as if they were John Wayne. For the pilots, acting as if they were confident helped to literally decrease the mortality rates. The counselor talked to the clients about acting as if they were attached to each other. They would feel as though they were on a second date, if they acted as though they were on a second date. The counselor suggests that the clients can get back their emotional bond if they act as if they already had it. The clients are in turn creating their own environment to learn from. This is a very beneficial and useful tool within the BT approach.
It is obvious that this approach can easily be applied to a PK-12 setting. One situation that it can be applied is through a token reward system with a struggling student. As a future school counselor, it will be my role to help students with various issues. One issue may be academics. If a student is struggling academically, a counselor may opt to use a token reward system. For example, if the student receives grades above 70 for one week, the student can choose a token such as a toy or piece of candy. The student could also lose tokens for bad grades. This is a classic example of Behavior Therapy that is used very frequently in schools.
Video: Cognitive-Behavior Approach with a Couple
Told a story about flying planes - as if they were John Wayne. For the pilots, acting as if they were confident helped to literally decrease the mortality rates. The counselor talked to the clients about acting as if they were attached to each other. They would feel as though they were on a second date, if they acted as though they were on a second date. The counselor suggests that the clients can get back their emotional bond if they act as if they already had it. The clients are in turn creating their own environment to learn from. This is a very beneficial and useful tool within the BT approach.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Chapter 7 - Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt Therapy was founded by Laura Perls. Gestaly Therapy is an Existential/Humanistic approach to human functioning. Individuals strive to meet physical and emotional needs. There is a cycle of need emergence. Individuals often avoid contact or situations which creates holes and unmet needs. Individuals tend to avoid by introjecting, projection, deflecting, retroflecting, or moving into confluence. The goal is for clients to become aware of what they are doing, how they are doing it, and how they can change themselves, and at the same time, to learn to accept and value themselves.
Gestalt Therapy emphasizes the importance of the client to increase awareness in both him/herself and his/her environment. This theory may apply to a PK-12 setting in many ways. One example would be a student who is fidgeting or distracting others in class. It may be helpful to simply ask the student if he/she realizes that they are distracting others. When the student admits that they never realized, the Gestalt technique of Exaggeration may help. When the student starts fidgeting, tell him/her to exaggerate the behavior so they become more aware of the tendency. This will help the student to realize when they are doing the adverse behavior, so they can stop.
Video: Gestalt Session
By using role-playing, the client uses a Gestalt Approach. The counselor has the client talk to a chair as if the chair was her mother, and they talk about how much energy she invests in pleasing her mother. The counselor points out the clients behaviors and repeats what the client says so the client can really hear what she's saying. The counselor also points out how her tone changes and how she seems more lively, and that it seems easier for her to talk about her dad rather than her mother. The client seems to be deflecting talking about and experiencing her feelings about her mother.
Chapter 6 - Existential
Existential Therapy is most closely associated with Irvin Yalom. Existential Therapists believe that humans are free, responsible for their own lives, and have the potential for self-actualization. It has been said that Existential Therapy is related to Person-Centered, only it is more miserable.The lack of positivism is something that makes it different than Person-Centered. There are four major concerns of life according to Existential Therapy - death, freedom, isolation and meaninglessness. This approach often doesn't bode well with the oppressed because of its focus on individual responsibility.
Guided fantasy is a technique used by Existential Therapists that could be a great benefit to school counselors. A specific scenario that stands out would be to use this technique with students suffering from chronic illness. A counselor could help the student visualize what is meaningful and important, and visualize what it may take to be healthy and happy. This could help the student increase his/her own awareness of the illness, and help increase awareness of what it will take for them to be happy. The student can visualize both positive and negative scenarios. This theory would have to be prefaced with a very strong rapport because of its challenging nature.
Video: Feelings of Responsibility
This video relates to Existential Therapy in many ways. The most obvious way is how the counselor challenges the client. At the very beginning on this session the counselor points out how the client mocks herself at things that aren't actually very funny. He challenges her by asking her if her joking manner is a way to hide the deep down hurt. He explains to the client that it is not healthy to avoid dealing with the real issue. He is putting a lot of responsibility on her to experience her feelings and deal with them.
Guided fantasy is a technique used by Existential Therapists that could be a great benefit to school counselors. A specific scenario that stands out would be to use this technique with students suffering from chronic illness. A counselor could help the student visualize what is meaningful and important, and visualize what it may take to be healthy and happy. This could help the student increase his/her own awareness of the illness, and help increase awareness of what it will take for them to be happy. The student can visualize both positive and negative scenarios. This theory would have to be prefaced with a very strong rapport because of its challenging nature.
Video: Feelings of Responsibility
This video relates to Existential Therapy in many ways. The most obvious way is how the counselor challenges the client. At the very beginning on this session the counselor points out how the client mocks herself at things that aren't actually very funny. He challenges her by asking her if her joking manner is a way to hide the deep down hurt. He explains to the client that it is not healthy to avoid dealing with the real issue. He is putting a lot of responsibility on her to experience her feelings and deal with them.
Chapter 5 - Person Centered
Carl Rogers is associated with Person-Centered Therapy. Person-Centered Therapy focuses on an optimistic view of people. According to this theory, humans genuinely want to maximize their potential. For this to occur, clients need to experience self-actualization. The client needs congruence between self and experiences. It is the counselors role to provide the right atmosphere for self-actualization to occur. Counselors must portray trust, safety, empathy, and unconditional positive regard.
This theory would apply well to all students PL-12. I closely follow the Person-Centered approach in my work as a school counselor. I believe that students really do want to be the best they can be. I try my best to be genuine and in the moment. I think a specific scenario that this approach would work best with would be with students who are getting over substance abuse. Often, professionals are quick to judge students who suffer from an addiction. With unconditional positive regard, the student may gain confidence in themselves. Also, if the student believes that the counselor believes he/she can do it, the student will eventually believe that too. I truly believe that if a student has one person who provides unconditional positive regard, and empowers students to make positive changes, the students will rise up to the challenge.
Video: Youth: Empathy
The counselor starts out by reassuring the client that whatever she draws will be fine. She then affirms the clients feelings of being nervous, and explaining how it is an unusual situation. It is obvious that the counselor is building a rapport with the client and trying to create a trustful and safe environment. The counselor also discloses that she too likes and has animals. It is important to note that in this video the counselor isn't prodding or interrogating the client, she is simply displaying unconditional positive regard.
This theory would apply well to all students PL-12. I closely follow the Person-Centered approach in my work as a school counselor. I believe that students really do want to be the best they can be. I try my best to be genuine and in the moment. I think a specific scenario that this approach would work best with would be with students who are getting over substance abuse. Often, professionals are quick to judge students who suffer from an addiction. With unconditional positive regard, the student may gain confidence in themselves. Also, if the student believes that the counselor believes he/she can do it, the student will eventually believe that too. I truly believe that if a student has one person who provides unconditional positive regard, and empowers students to make positive changes, the students will rise up to the challenge.
Video: Youth: Empathy
The counselor starts out by reassuring the client that whatever she draws will be fine. She then affirms the clients feelings of being nervous, and explaining how it is an unusual situation. It is obvious that the counselor is building a rapport with the client and trying to create a trustful and safe environment. The counselor also discloses that she too likes and has animals. It is important to note that in this video the counselor isn't prodding or interrogating the client, she is simply displaying unconditional positive regard.
Chapter 4 - Individual Psychology
Individual Psychology is associated with Alfred Adler. The theory aims to describe how individuals' lifestyle pertains to life as a whole. According to this theory, individuals strive for superiority and all behavior is purposeful. The theory is relatively simplistic, and emphasizes the importance of social conditions. Humans have an innate need for power and a need for belonging. Individual Psychologists do not focus on the clients' behavior or symptom itself, but rather that cause of the behavior or symptom.
There are numerous situations in elementary counseling that this theory may apply to. For example, a counselor may want to use the "Acting As If" technique with a student who is struggling socially. In elementary school it is very difficult for some students to make friends, especially students who recently moved to the district. In a scenario when a student lacks confidence, a counselor may suggest that the student "act as if" they have the confidence to make friends and introduce themselves to new students. Eventually, the student won't be "acting as if" anymore. Also, in elementary school students may act out in class for reasons that do not pertain to academia. During my internship experience I had a student who was referred to counseling because he had significant behavioral issues; it turned out that his behavior issues were caused by a severe home situation.
Video: Beginning Diagnostic Assessment
This video relates to Individual Psychology because the counselor focused on why the client is struggling, and spent little time talking about her current struggle as a single mother. The client talked about how she sees herself as a person who likes roller coasters rather than the merry go round, meaning that she seeks adventure and likes taking risks. The counselor took this into account and then he focused on that fact that she is oldest child. She has always had high aspirations and a desire to try to please others. By getting to know her better and asking her questions the counselor became to realize why she was struggling. It seemed like her was inferring that her desire to please others but still take risks is the cause of her current issue.
There are numerous situations in elementary counseling that this theory may apply to. For example, a counselor may want to use the "Acting As If" technique with a student who is struggling socially. In elementary school it is very difficult for some students to make friends, especially students who recently moved to the district. In a scenario when a student lacks confidence, a counselor may suggest that the student "act as if" they have the confidence to make friends and introduce themselves to new students. Eventually, the student won't be "acting as if" anymore. Also, in elementary school students may act out in class for reasons that do not pertain to academia. During my internship experience I had a student who was referred to counseling because he had significant behavioral issues; it turned out that his behavior issues were caused by a severe home situation.
Video: Beginning Diagnostic Assessment
This video relates to Individual Psychology because the counselor focused on why the client is struggling, and spent little time talking about her current struggle as a single mother. The client talked about how she sees herself as a person who likes roller coasters rather than the merry go round, meaning that she seeks adventure and likes taking risks. The counselor took this into account and then he focused on that fact that she is oldest child. She has always had high aspirations and a desire to try to please others. By getting to know her better and asking her questions the counselor became to realize why she was struggling. It seemed like her was inferring that her desire to please others but still take risks is the cause of her current issue.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Chapter 3 - Neoanalytic
Neo-analytic theory is an subset of the psychoanalytic theory. There are some major differences that separate the two theories. Some of these differences include a de-emphasis of sexuality and the importance of the unconscious. Instead, neo-analytic theorists emphasized the importance of the ego. There are four major variants of the neo-analytic thought: Ego Psychology, Object Relations, Self Psychology and Relational Psychoanalysis. Anna Freud is associated with being an Ego Psychologist. She believed that her father did not give enough attention to the ego. Melanie Klein was a neo-analytic theorist who focused on Object Relations and she incorporated adult techniques into child analysis. Sandor Franzecki and Stack Sullivan established Relational Psychoanalysis that focuses on the analyst being a participant observer. Finally, Heinz Kohut is associated with Self Psychology which focuses on a clients unmet developmental needs. Generally, Neo-Analytic theorists believe that people are motivated by conflicts between the unconscious and conscious.
All of the therapeutic techniques are the same as the psycho-analytic approach. However, one is of utmost importance for this approach. Interpretation is especially important because of the significance of the counselor-client relationship. Understanding and explanation are big parts of interpretation.
Video: Focusing on Past Relationships in Therapy
This video relates to the chapter because the counselor focuses on client and his feelings, when the client tries to focus on his wife and her feelings. The client is concerned because he doesn't feel excited that his wife is pregnant, and she says that it isn't normal. He expresses concerns about being like his father, distant and aloof. The counselor points out the clients slip, he says fathering instead of following - demonstrating his anxiety about becoming a father. This slip and the counselor's ability to catch the slip demonstrates the neoanalytic approach by pointing out the conflict between the clients unconscious and conscious.
All of the therapeutic techniques are the same as the psycho-analytic approach. However, one is of utmost importance for this approach. Interpretation is especially important because of the significance of the counselor-client relationship. Understanding and explanation are big parts of interpretation.
Video: Focusing on Past Relationships in Therapy
This video relates to the chapter because the counselor focuses on client and his feelings, when the client tries to focus on his wife and her feelings. The client is concerned because he doesn't feel excited that his wife is pregnant, and she says that it isn't normal. He expresses concerns about being like his father, distant and aloof. The counselor points out the clients slip, he says fathering instead of following - demonstrating his anxiety about becoming a father. This slip and the counselor's ability to catch the slip demonstrates the neoanalytic approach by pointing out the conflict between the clients unconscious and conscious.
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Chapter 2 - Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a theory pioneered by Sigmund Freud. Freud was somewhat of a pessimist and had a negative view of human nature. He believed that people were self-sabotaging and it took an experience analyst to stop the destructive process. The theory emphasizes unconscious sexual urges, the impact of the past on the present, and the constant development of humans. Freud believed that a great deal of a person was determined by age six. Also, Freud believed that people aren't good at knowing the reasons for their actions. One of the most famous aspects of the Psychoanalytic Theory is the ID, Ego and Superego. The ID acts as the instincts of humans. For example, a baby operates primarily on the ID because they want what they want, when they want it. The Ego is used by humans to restrain those instinctual urges. and finally, the Superego is the conscience that balances the ID and the Ego. I always think of the ID as the devil on a cartoon shoulder, the Ego as the angel on the cartoon shoulder, and the Superego as the person deciding which one to give in to.
The techniques associated with the Psychoanalysis Theory are: Free Association, Interpretation, Analysis of the Resistance, Dream Analysis, and Analysis of the transference. In Free Association, clients are encouraged to relate whatever comes into their minds during the analytic session, and not to censor their thoughts. In Interpretation, the counselor is to analyze the clients responses as it relates to his or her conflicts from the past. It is important for counselors to not jump to conclusions and use Interpretation too soon, also it is important to realize that what the client is portraying isn't about the actual counselor-client relationships, it is a reflection of past relationships of the client.. Analysis of the resistance is important because counselors must be aware of subtle signs of resistance, such as a client missing an appointment or two. If the technique isn't used, the clients resistant behavior could spiral out of control. Dream Analysis is used to interpret dreams. According to Freud, dreams are actually symbolic representations of a neurotic symptom. Finally, Analysis of Transference is a clients tendency to unknowingly transfer qualities of other individuals from their past onto the counselor.
Video: Delays in Psychoanalytic Stages
I believe this video relates to the chapter in two ways. First, the counselor used the interpretation technique with the client. She used what he said about his past experiences and made inferences about his current life. She asked a lot of questions about his childhood and his relationship with his mother. Also, she used his experiences of having puberty late as information to understand his development. His past relationships with his mother and peers influenced his current personality.
The techniques associated with the Psychoanalysis Theory are: Free Association, Interpretation, Analysis of the Resistance, Dream Analysis, and Analysis of the transference. In Free Association, clients are encouraged to relate whatever comes into their minds during the analytic session, and not to censor their thoughts. In Interpretation, the counselor is to analyze the clients responses as it relates to his or her conflicts from the past. It is important for counselors to not jump to conclusions and use Interpretation too soon, also it is important to realize that what the client is portraying isn't about the actual counselor-client relationships, it is a reflection of past relationships of the client.. Analysis of the resistance is important because counselors must be aware of subtle signs of resistance, such as a client missing an appointment or two. If the technique isn't used, the clients resistant behavior could spiral out of control. Dream Analysis is used to interpret dreams. According to Freud, dreams are actually symbolic representations of a neurotic symptom. Finally, Analysis of Transference is a clients tendency to unknowingly transfer qualities of other individuals from their past onto the counselor.
Video: Delays in Psychoanalytic Stages
I believe this video relates to the chapter in two ways. First, the counselor used the interpretation technique with the client. She used what he said about his past experiences and made inferences about his current life. She asked a lot of questions about his childhood and his relationship with his mother. Also, she used his experiences of having puberty late as information to understand his development. His past relationships with his mother and peers influenced his current personality.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)