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.
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