Friday, September 6, 2019
Theories of Counseling Essay Example for Free
Theories of Counseling Essay Counseling                        Counseling comes from the word counseil (Middle English), conseil (Old French), consilium (Latin); it means to take counsel or to consult. There are so many definitions that you can apply with the word counseling as there are people who practice this to describe it more comprehensively. Frank Parsons was the one who originated this term in the year 1908. This term was adopted by Carl Rogers because he was not permitted by the psychiatry profession to call himself a psychotherapist and in response to widespread prejudice in the United States against lay therapist. Counselor                        Counselor is the term to a person or individual who has an intellectual, psychological, emotional and mental capability in listening and responding to one’s illness in mind and emotion.                        As a counselor, there are few points that should be done systematically and constantly. A counselor should be a great listener. He should listen effectively and wisely to what his client is saying. Counselor should work with its client with a define goal and thoughts with respect to the client’s values and cultural living. He should respond correctly with every feeling his client is dealing and be able to facilitate its thoughts and worries about a certain situation. He should know how and what to advise to help his client gain their own sight and understanding into how they should act, feel, and think in each given parameters of situation. A counselor should be a good teacher and a good model to help and teach his client express their emotions in its own way of living, work out its solutions to its specific problems, accept the things that cannot be changed in their life, and supports their counselor-client relationship while doing all this process. Counselor should know how to help his client become empowered to act in ways that are best in their own interest and should be able to use a variety of techniques to help his client explore and gain confidence in their life. Characteristics of a Helping Relationship                       The helping relationship is defined as the process of promoting the growth, development, maturity, functioning and coping skills in another person. Fundamentally, the helping or healing practices used in this process must be consistent with the value system of those you are trying to help. The diversity of First Nations people suggests that understanding how he or she sees the world is the best guide to establishing a helping relationship. Yet among traditional healing practices in all cultures, there seems to be two principal phases of the helping process, an inward exploratory phase and an outward action phase. However, we feel the First Nations approach must include four principle dimensions. In both phases, the dimensions of the spiritual, physical, emotional and social are explored and utilized. While the wheel represents them in parts, in fact they are integrated into every aspect of our being. Phase one is characterized by an inward direction in which a relationship is established and the problem or concern is explored. This means that the level of trust you develop will form how you interact with the person you want to help. Trust is the principle grease that facilitates the helping process. The exploratory nature of this phase suggests that the peer support giver listens in an active way, paying attention not only to what is being said, but also to how it is being said. The second phase of the helping process is characterized by an outward direction in which a course of action is outlined and implemented. The peer support giver works in a cooperative manner as the problem is being worked through. Helping generally does not move in a direct line. In this sense, helping is cyclical or more like a wavy circle as compared to a linear line which moves directly from a statement of the issue to a solution (Roger,61).                        Helping Relationship is also called Therapeutic relationship. It is a special instance of interpersonal relationships and all the same lawfulness governs all such relationships. In other words, helping relationship might be defined as one in which one of the participant in a so-called process intends that there should come about, in one or both individuals, more functional use of the latent inner resources of the person. A helping relationship is like when you are dealing with a physician and his patient or the relationship between teacher and student. All counselor-client relationships, in all kinds of counseling are a category for helping relationship. In this include the wide range of relationships between the counselor and the client and the relationship between the therapist and the increasing number of the normal individuals who enter therapy to improve their own system of functioning or to accelerate their personal growth of living. There are many kinds of one-to-one relationships. But there are large number of these are intended to helping relationships. Interaction between the counselor and his client is belonging in this situation. The interaction between the consultants is intended as a helping relationship. These things will sum up that the fact that many of the relationship in which many patients are involved fall within this part of interactions in which there is the purpose of promoting development and more mature and analytical method of functioning.                        Many of the studies involving this matter about helping relationship throw light on the attitudes on the part of the helping person which make a relationship growth-promoting or growth-inhibiting as its characteristics.                   In a study given by Baldwin about parent-child relationships shows great evidence about the characteristics of helping relationships. The characteristics of a parent-child relationship are also related and can be applied to other similar cases of counseling. The counselor who is warmly emotional and expressive, respectful of the individuality of himself and of his client should be able to exhibits a non-possessive caring to facilitate self-realization much as the client is dealing with their own attitudes.                        There should be also a high degree of agreement among the client and the one who is counseling regardless of the orientation of their elements in unhelpful relationships. Guiding one another is mildly perceived with each step of the way in the given process to have an acceptable procedure in the end of the counseling therapy. Interaction between a client and the counselor in the helping relationship is pointing out and labeling the behaviors which had proves unsatisfying, exploring objectively with the client the reasons behind their behaviors and established a re-education more effective problem-solving habits. In all kind of interaction, its main objective as many counselor practices was to be impersonal with every move they are dealing with in a helping relationship. The counselor should permits as little of his own personality to intrude as is humanly possible. It is the clue to the failure of this approach, as it’s interprets the facts in the light of the other research studies. A helping relationship withhold one’s self as a person and to deal with the other person as an object which does not have a high probability of being helpful to its client.                        Provided by a similar attraction of process in a helping relationship, we can say that one characteristic of it is working in the field of human relationships has a similar problem in knowing how to use such research knowledge.                        Helping relationship is the kind of relationship created by an individual who psychologically mature. The degree to which I can create relationships which facilitate the growth of other people as separate persons is a measure of the growth achieved by the counselor. First step in dealing with counselor-client relationships                        There are some significant elements that a counselor should always first cover up in his first session with his client. The first stage of a counseling method is the most critical part of the process because it is the starting foundation of a good and well-sound relationship between the client and the counselor. The first and the most important part the counselor must cover up are to gain the trust and the emotion of its client. The counselor should gain the knowledge and the points of view on how his client is dealing so he will be able to know how to deal with it in its specific situation and be able to plot the problems on how they will take it in a systematical way of approach. The counselor should the first time they meet, the problems where his client is dealing and the goals that they are enlisted to aim in order to process the thinking and the right relationship with each other. They should come up a very good feeling with themselves specially the patient. The most important thing when dealing with your client at the first time you’ve met is the foundation of your relationship. It will be the starting point of your mission that’s why it is very critical. The ways and step by step process should be well plotted and organized (Corey, 114). Your main responsibilities in counseling are to attend your regularly scheduled sessions, talk about what is bothering you as openly and honestly as you can, and complete any tasks or homework assignments you may be asked to do. You are expected to let your counselor know if you are unable to make it to a session. Most counseling will require you to try something new or a different approach. Another thing your counselor will expect is for you to be willing to experiment and try things without jumping to conclusions. You are also expected to let your counselor know when your problems have been solved as well as let your counselor know if you dont feel like youre making any progress. This latter point is most important: your counselor is most interested in your benefiting from counseling. One of the most difficult steps in counseling occurs before you even see a counselor for the first time. Deciding to seek counseling is the first step in change. Once this decision has been made, the mechanics for change have been set in motion. In the process of changing the way you think, feel, or behave, you usually must try out new ways of doing things. This can make you anxious or frustrated. Also, in the course of counseling you may come to realize that things you once thought of only in a positive or negative way you may see a bit differently. The challenges of pushing on your limitations may also cause your frustrations, but with commitment and practice, you will find that you can stretch your limits and find new and exciting aspects of your self (Corey, 114). Theories and Techniques in Counseling                                    Biblical Psychology for me is the most useful and effective techniques in counseling in whatever type of this in accordance to the biblical theory of counseling. God looks at us from the perspective of our feelings, doings and root levels, and we are to do the same. It is through these levels; we assess and evaluate the problem, the diagnostics. Our feelings tell us what is happening, but we are not to make decisions or live by those feelings. This is what distinguishes a Christian from the world. The world lives by feelings but a Christian lives by his will and his will is based on the word of God which is the will of God. He is to do what God says to do regardless of his feelings. The doing of Gods word regardless of feelings is illustrated by Gods commandment to love our enemies, do well to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who persecute you. This is all contrary to our natural feelings but our true self in exercising Gods command, the self in union with the Holy Spirit, transcends the natural and changes our feelings into compassion rather than retaliation.                        The emphasis in the Christian life is in the doing. It is the doing that changes our feelings as well as our root level. As we do what Gods word commands, the Holy Spirit changes our root from selfishness and self-centeredness, to conform us to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ in our very root being. This is a lifelong process that continues changing us from glory to glory when we simply obey Gods word. Accordingly, we are to view the problem from Gods perspective, and His word provides the solution, the hope, and with hope are changes that are necessary, and the practice of these changes to conform you to the image of Christ.                        Depending upon your problem or situation, the following are provided to assist you in seeking Gods solution; Orientation to Biblical Counseling- An eight week training course to provide students with a basic knowledge on how to handle their problems Gods way as opposed to the worlds way, Establish a Foundation for Biblical Discipleship- A five week program for new Christians, teaching them how to grow and mature in Christ. This could be used for individual counseling or a classroom setting and Strengthening Your Marriage- A ten week course for pre-marital and marital situations. These are worksheets designed for individual counseling situations, and deal with a variety of sin problems and the solutions thereof. The Life Studies are divided into three categories; Guilt and Shame as the past, anger and bitterness as the present and fear as the future. These time segments cover all of lifes experiences and must be dealt with biblically. Counselee must know that he is identified with Christ, that by the blood of our Lord, counselees conscience is washed and cleansed of guilt and shame once and forever. Now he is to live the new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit, collaborating with God, to deal with his present, the daily offenses and irritations of life, and thereby establish Gods will on earth. Thus, he is enabled to leave the future in Gods hands. We should always remember: You are given life so that Life may indwell you, Christ Himself, and you are to work out this life daily being conformed to His image. Gods word is your authority, and the indwelling Holy Spirit is your power to enable you to be a blessing instead of a curse on this earth. Go now as you make a disciple of yourself, go and make disciples of others and fulfill Christs command. Let a godly lifestyle be a living witness of Christ walking this earth in, as, and through you.            Another theory that I am willing to learn more is the systemic interversions. Systemic interventions are premised upon the assumption that ones environment elicits and supports the individuals dysfunctional cognitive, behavioral and affective responses. The go goal of systemic interventions is to change the individuals social environment or system, thus changing the patterns of interrelationship that elicited or supported these responses. Examples of systemic interventions (in addition to those in the preceding categories that also produce system change) include: altering communication patterns through role play and renegotiation, altering family (or system) structure by reconstructing boundaries, the family genogram, family sculpture, and providing directives for change. Children pose special issues in the selection of counseling interventions for several reasons. They have little power or control over their environment, or may lack the cognitive or affective development to respond to some interventions. For this reason, a systemic view which involves significant adults in their world often is the most effective approach to intervention selection.                        There are a lot of techniques in counseling and the most that I am capable to apply is the progressive relaxation. These are one of the relaxation techniques in counseling. Most of the time, we are unaware of tension in our bodies until it escalates into headaches, muscle tightness, even vomiting, diarrhea, and ulcers in more extreme situations. An important part of recovery is becoming aware of our feelings. Our thoughts and feelings are major sources of this tension; creating tightness in neck and shoulders, the lower back, stomach, or legs and feet. However, we arent always aware of our internal state, so, another way to recognize and manage some of our internal feelings is through identifying what it feels like to be tense. Progressive relaxation can help us learn to recognize the tension or stress in our bodies, so we can stop it before it becomes a major physical problem (headache, muscle tightness, etc). Progressive Relaxation exercises purposefully create tension beginning from one end of our bodies to the other. What’s the purpose? It helps us recognize what tense and relaxed feels like. Since we all store stress in our bodies, we can only release body tension if we are aware of it (Roger, 61).  III. Life experience                        My past life experiences is cruel and difficult. I encountered many problems and difficulties when I was a child. I am an adopted child who was molested and put on foster care. I think that this life experience of mine is a big advantage when dealing with my client. Increasing numbers of molested and abused children are very significant today.                         According to a 2001 study by the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation that used federal data, annual direct costs including medical, police, court and welfare costs of all child abuse is $24 billion. In addition, an estimated 10 to 20 percent of 1 million cases today are of child abuse. According to the National Institute of Justice, 26 percent of abused and neglected children become juvenile delinquents, and 13 percent of violent crime can be linked to earlier child maltreatment. Research by the U.S. Bureau of Justice found that about 22 percent of imprisoned child sex offenders reported having been sexually abused during childhood (Stevens, 2005)                        It is estimated that 20 to 40 percent of adult women in the United States were sexually abused before the age of 18. For men, the range is 10 to 20 percent. Thats 24 million to 48 million women and 11 million to 22 million men. Almost every child is vulnerable to child molestation. Victims can be boys as well as girls and older as well as younger. There are many kinds of child molestation. Examples of this are; Touching or fondling, flashing or exposing adult genitals to a child, showing x-rated material to a child, deviant sexual activity such as defecation, urination, bondage, or sadomasochism and normal sexual activity such as vaginal or anal intercourse or oral stimulation of the genitals. Child molesters are either coaxing or persuading a child into sexual activity or forcing and threatening to harm a child into sexual activity. They most often manipulate child victims into complying with sexual activity by grooming them with attention, affection and gifts over a period of time. This grooming agenda of a molester is usually aimed at the parent of very young children in order for the child molester to obtain the family’s trust and thereby have an access to the child (Stevens, 2005).                        With my own life experiences, I gradually think that it will be a greater advantage for me to able to comply and deal with my client to help in his problem especially if my client is also a molested child. Therefore, I can relate with my client much easier and comfortable. Nature of Clients                        In accordance to my life experiences, I am very willing to deal with people who also encountered and came from similar life experience as mine. It will be easy for me to dwell with this kind of people because I am capable enough to handle and understand their emotion and behavior in this kind of problem. I am not looking to deal with people who molest. Those people are the hardest thing for me to approach. Bibliography Corey; Theory and Practice of Counseling; 7th edition Helping Relationship; Educational compliment, May 2000           www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/hfrance/2.htm; September 23, 2007 Rogers, Carl R.; A Therapist View of Psychotherapy, Houghton Mifflin Company Boston New York, 1961 Stevens, Ellen Jane; Myths cover up further tragedies in Episode of Child Molestation            Sunday Edition, April 3, 2005
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