Classmate 3 Responsechapter 3 The Counseling Processlist The 4 Ways ✓ Solved
Classmate #3 Response Chapter 3: The Counseling Process List the 4 ways the textbook classifies the theories and interventions presented in the book based on the point of intervention and list the theories associated with each classification. Affective Person-centered Counseling Gestalt Therapy Cognitive Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Cognitive behavioral therapy Psychoanalytic counseling Transactional analysis Behavioral Behavioral counseling Reality therapy Brief counseling Individual psychology Systemic Family therapy Consultation and collaboration Based on your previous study of these counseling theories, which theory (or theories) do you think you would prefer to use with children and adolescents?
Why? I would prefer using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) because since they are young their traumas are not as deep (time) as an adult. It is great age to introduce a way for children and adolescents to be aware and acknowledge their feelings, how it impacts their thoughts and behaviors. It helps them start using tools to create and maintain a healthy mentality. Counseling process: Outline the six-step counseling process found in the textbook.
Under each step list 2 or more of the universal skills (pp 84-85) that are appropriate for each step. Step 1: Defining the Problem through Active Listening Empathy, minimal encouragers, reflection of feeling/meaning, role playing, and defining the problem. Clarifying the Child’s Expectations Defining goals/objectives/outcomes, prompts, and exploration. Exploring What has been Done to Solve the Problem Open questions and identifying/building strengths. Exploring What New Things Could Be Done to Solve the Problem Exploring alternatives, logical consequences, and affirmation.
Obtaining a Commitment to Try One of the Problem-Solving Ideas Providing information, homework, and affirmation. Closing the Counseling Interview Summary, Scaling question, and reframing. In your opinion, is there one step that is most important in the counseling process? Please share why you think this is so. The very first step is the most important, it is the foundation set for the rest of the counseling process.
Building that trust and rapport is important in the therapeutic process for the client. I believe it allows them to feel safe and open up to be vulnerable with a trusting adult that is going to genuinely help them. Chapter 5: Psychoanalytic Counseling List 6 defense mechanisms. Give an example of each one. Which one do you use the most?
Sublimation- Example: Going for a run when feeling extreme frustration. This is one I feel I use the most, it is a way for me to be aware of my feelings and rechanneling that energy into self-care. I know it is more of a distraction in sublimation. I like to be aware of my emotions as it manifests in physical form to hold myself accountable. Suppression- Example: A child not telling their parents that an older sibling is taking pictures of them in the shower because they argue enough as it is.
Undoing- Example: A child flipping someone’s food tray at school for them not giving up a desired food choice and the next day bringing them a candy bar. Withdrawal- Example: A child at school may not play with others in school because at home they are neglected. Reaction Formation- Example: A child being nice to their bully when confronted. Regression- Example: A child may wet the bed intentionally to get the attention they want from their parents. What is Psychoanalytic Play Therapy and its purpose?
Why and how would you as a therapist use it with a child? Have you ever used Play Therapy and did your use of it differ from the psychoanalytic approach in the textbook? It is the use of therapeutic tools that are seen as toys and games for the client. Using this approach would open so many doors and make the client feel comfortable as I try to assimilate a safe environment to start building that trust and rapport. Through toys and games, as a counselor, I would be able to pick up any feelings or issues that a child can be coping with to better understand them.
I have not used play therapy although, I am interested in enriching my knowledge so I may be prepared for this age group if and when the opportunity arises to help a child or adolescent. Chapter 6 Person-Centered Counseling According to Landreth, child-centered counselors concentrate on six major items. List these items. On the child rather than the problem The present rather than the past Feelings rather than thoughts and behaviors Understanding rather than explaining Accepting rather than correcting The child’s wisdom and direction rather than the counselor’s What is the major technique of child-centered counseling? The major technique is active listening, being genuine, having positive regards, and being empathetic as the child wants to be understood and heard.
What type of situations you might face in counseling a child would call for child centered counseling? Whether the child is referred or self-referred, it could be a child experiencing low self-esteem, feelings of not belonging, or even the death of a family pet. Children can benefit from personal growth by understanding their feelings/experiences and setting goals. List and explain the ways Landreth proposes to evaluate child-centered play therapy. The guidelines by Landreth are as follows: 1.
Is this person becoming less defensive, more open to his or her experiences? 2. Is this person more able to take responsibility for his or her feelings and actions? 3. Is this person becoming less rigid, more tolerant or accepting of self, others, and the world?
4. Is this person becoming more independent, more self-directing? 5. Is the person becoming more objective, more rational? 6.
Is the person more able to live in and enjoy the present? 7. Is the person less anxious, less fearful, less unhappy than when he or she entered therapy? These guidelines help keep a humanistic approach in child-centered play therapy without imposing labels or checking off boxes. This for the patient to give themselves the permission to grow.
Classmate #1 Response Chapter 3: The Counseling Process • List the 4 ways the textbook classifies the theories and interventions presented in the book based on the point of intervention and list the theories associated with each classification. 1. Affective (feeling) Person-centered counseling Gestalt therapy 2. Behavior (behaving) Behavioral counseling Reality therapy Brief Counseling Individual psychology 3. Cognitive (thinking) Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Cognitive Behavioral therapy Psychoanalytic counseling Transactional analysis • Based on your previous study of these counseling theories, which theory (or theories) do you think you would prefer to use with children and adolescents?
I think that Gestalt therapy would be an effective therapy when working with children. Why? I think that the “Empty Chair technique might be even more effective with children than it is with adults. Often body sensations become the focus of treatment. Certainly person-centered will allow the focus to be on the child and his/her world and not expectations of parents, teachers, or others. • Counseling process: Outline the six step counseling process found in the textbook.
Under each step list 2 or more of the universal skills (pp 84-85) that are appropriate for each step. Step 1: Define the problem through active listening Get a grasp of how the child understands the problem through active listening techniques like minimal encouragement; reframing, prompts, and open ended questions. This will also allow the child to express his/her feelings about the problem, and what expectations (if any) the child has of the counselor to fix the problem. Step 2: Clarify the child’s expectations Logical consequences, role-playing, as well as reframing and closed questions can help the counselor understand the expectations which the child has of the counselor. These techniques can also help reshape his/her expectations and lead to a healthier outcome of the counseling.
Step 3: Explore what has been done to solve the problem Homework might be for the child to write down what has been attempted in the past to solve the problem. Open ended questions and prompts can help draw out more information from the child. Step 4 Explore what new things could be done Role playing, , exploring alternatives and logical consequences can help to uncover new solutions to a problem. Providing information might also spark a new creative solution by the child. Step 5 Obtain a commitment to try one of the problem solving ideas Affirmation, new information, and role playing can encourage the child to try to solve the problem.
Step 6 Close the interview Open ended questions, affirmation and role playing can be effective ways to close the session with the child. • • In your opinion, is there one step that is most important in the counseling process? Please share why you think this is so. I think that clarifying the child’s’ expectations is the one step which is most important of all of the other steps. The counselor needs to have a clear picture of success or failure looks like to the client (child). It is difficult to measure success if you do not know what it is for the client.
By helping the child set realistic expectations, the counselor has a better measuring tool for effectiveness than if they do not. Chapter 5: Psychoanalytic Counseling • List 6 defense mechanisms. Give an example of each one. • Affiliation the individual continues to recognize personal responsibility but seeks help from others • • Altruism the individual receives satisfaction in helping other people • • Anticipation the individual thinks about future events and reduces anxiety by seeking answers early • • Humor the individual focuses on the amusing parts of a situation • • Sublimation the individual redirects unhealthy emotions into acceptable ones • • Suppression the individual intentionally ignores nonproductive or troubling experiences • • • Which one do you use the most? • I tend to use Sublimation the most with Anticipation and Humor being next. • • What is Psychoanalytic Play Therapy and its purpose? • Psychoanalytic Play Therapy utilizes toys, games, drawing, clay, and other items to create an environment where the child feels safe and comfortable.
This aids in developing a therapeutic alliance with the child and serves to reveal clues about the child’s inner life. The purpose of Psychoanalytic Play Therapy; like all Psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious aware and visible to the client. • Why and how would you as a therapist use it with a child? I would use Psychoanalytic Play therapy with a child to better understand the child’s view of the world. I would use it to help establish rapport and a therapeutic relationship with the child. Later, as the counseling relationship grows it may become necessary to understand the family dynamics utilizing Psychoanalytic Play Therapy.
It can also be used to effectively deal with resistance, transference, and interventions • Have you ever used Play Therapy and did your use of it differ from the psychoanalytic approach in the textbook? No, I have never used Play Therapy. Chapter 6 Person-Centered Counseling • According to Landreth, child-centered counselors concentrate on six major items. List these items. 1.
On the child and not the problem 2. The present rather than the past 3. Feelings rather than thoughts and behaviors 4. Understanding rather than explaining 5. Accepting rather than correcting 6.
The child’s wisdom and direction rather than the counselor’s • What is the major technique of child-centered counseling? • The major technique of child-centered counseling is active listening. • What type of situations you might face in counseling a child would call for child centered counseling? • A situation that would call for child centered counseling would be where there are self-esteem issues. The goal of child centered counseling is for the childâ€. . . to be understood instead of diagnosed, treated, or changed.†Page 187 The focus is entirely on the child and not the problem. The counselor needs to live out these messages for the child: • I am here (nothing will distract me); I hear you ( I am listening carefully), I understand you, I care about you • List and explain the ways Landreth proposes to evaluate child-centered play therapy.
Is the person becoming less defensive, more open to his or her experiences? Is this person more able to take responsibility to his or her feelings and actions? Is this person becoming less rigid, more tolerant or accepting of self, others, and the world? Is this person becoming more independent, more self-directing? Is this person becoming more objective, more rational?
Is the person more able to live in and enjoy the present? Is the person less anxious, less fearful, less unhappy then when he or she entered therapy? Classmate #2 Response Chapter 3: The Counseling Process • List the 4 ways the textbook classifies the theories and interventions presented in the book based on the point of intervention and list the theories associated with each classification. 1. Affective (feeling) Person-centered counseling Gestalt therapy 2.
Behavior (behaving) Behavioral counseling Reality therapy Brief Counseling Individual psychology 3. Cognitive (thinking) Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Cognitive Behavioral therapy Psychoanalytic counseling Transactional analysis • Based on your previous study of these counseling theories, which theory (or theories) do you think you would prefer to use with children and adolescents? I think that Gestalt therapy would be an effective therapy when working with children. Why? I think that the “Empty Chair technique might be even more effective with children than it is with adults.
Often body sensations become the focus of treatment. Certainly person-centered will allow the focus to be on the child and his/her world and not expectations of parents, teachers, or others. • Counseling process: Outline the six step counseling process found in the textbook. Under each step list 2 or more of the universal skills (pp 84-85) that are appropriate for each step. Step 1: Define the problem through active listening Get a grasp of how the child understands the problem through active listening techniques like minimal encouragement; reframing, prompts, and open ended questions. This will also allow the child to express his/her feelings about the problem, and what expectations (if any) the child has of the counselor to fix the problem.
Step 2: Clarify the child’s expectations Logical consequences, role-playing, as well as reframing and closed questions can help the counselor understand the expectations which the child has of the counselor. These techniques can also help reshape his/her expectations and lead to a healthier outcome of the counseling. Step 3: Explore what has been done to solve the problem Homework might be for the child to write down what has been attempted in the past to solve the problem. Open ended questions and prompts can help draw out more information from the child. Step 4 Explore what new things could be done Role playing, , exploring alternatives and logical consequences can help to uncover new solutions to a problem.
Providing information might also spark a new creative solution by the child. Step 5 Obtain a commitment to try one of the problem solving ideas Affirmation, new information, and role playing can encourage the child to try to solve the problem. Step 6 Close the interview Open ended questions, affirmation and role playing can be effective ways to close the session with the child. • • In your opinion, is there one step that is most important in the counseling process? Please share why you think this is so. I think that clarifying the child’s’ expectations is the one step which is most important of all of the other steps.
The counselor needs to have a clear picture of success or failure looks like to the client (child). It is difficult to measure success if you do not know what it is for the client. By helping the child set realistic expectations, the counselor has a better measuring tool for effectiveness than if they do not. Chapter 5: Psychoanalytic Counseling • List 6 defense mechanisms. Give an example of each one. • Affiliation the individual continues to recognize personal responsibility but seeks help from others • • Altruism the individual receives satisfaction in helping other people • • Anticipation the individual thinks about future events and reduces anxiety by seeking answers early • • Humor the individual focuses on the amusing parts of a situation • • Sublimation the individual redirects unhealthy emotions into acceptable ones • • Suppression the individual intentionally ignores nonproductive or troubling experiences • • • Which one do you use the most? • I tend to use Sublimation the most with Anticipation and Humor being next. • • What is Psychoanalytic Play Therapy and its purpose? • Psychoanalytic Play Therapy utilizes toys, games, drawing, clay, and other items to create an environment where the child feels safe and comfortable.
This aids in developing a therapeutic alliance with the child and serves to reveal clues about the child’s inner life. The purpose of Psychoanalytic Play Therapy; like all Psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious aware and visible to the client. • Why and how would you as a therapist use it with a child? I would use Psychoanalytic Play therapy with a child to better understand the child’s view of the world. I would use it to help establish rapport and a therapeutic relationship with the child. Later, as the counseling relationship grows it may become necessary to understand the family dynamics utilizing Psychoanalytic Play Therapy.
It can also be used to effectively deal with resistance, transference, and interventions • Have you ever used Play Therapy and did your use of it differ from the psychoanalytic approach in the textbook? No, I have never used Play Therapy. Chapter 6 Person-Centered Counseling • According to Landreth, child-centered counselors concentrate on six major items. List these items. 1.
On the child and not the problem 2. The present rather than the past 3. Feelings rather than thoughts and behaviors 4. Understanding rather than explaining 5. Accepting rather than correcting 6.
The child’s wisdom and direction rather than the counselor’s • What is the major technique of child-centered counseling? • The major technique of child-centered counseling is active listening. • What type of situations you might face in counseling a child would call for child centered counseling? • A situation that would call for child centered counseling would be where there are self-esteem issues. The goal of child centered counseling is for the childâ€. . . to be understood instead of diagnosed, treated, or changed.†Page 187 The focus is entirely on the child and not the problem. The counselor needs to live out these messages for the child: • I am here (nothing will distract me); I hear you ( I am listening carefully), I understand you, I care about you • List and explain the ways Landreth proposes to evaluate child-centered play therapy.
Is the person becoming less defensive, more open to his or her experiences? Is this person more able to take responsibility to his or her feelings and actions? Is this person becoming less rigid, more tolerant or accepting of self, others, and the world? Is this person becoming more independent, more self-directing? Is this person becoming more objective, more rational?
Is the person more able to live in and enjoy the present? Is the person less anxious, less fearful, less unhappy then when he or she entered therapy?
Paper for above instructions
Understanding the Counseling Process and Theories: A Comprehensive Reflection
The field of counseling is multifaceted and enriched by various theories that cater to different needs and perspectives of clients. This paper reflects on Chapter 3 of the textbook discussing the counseling process, focusing on its classifications, steps, and the theories that inform them. Additionally, it offers insights into psychoanalytic counseling and the efficacy of person-centered approaches.
Classifications of Theories and Interventions
The textbook identifies four key classifications of counseling theories based on their point of intervention (Nugent, 2023):
1. Affective (Feeling) Theories:
- Person-Centered Counseling: Developed by Carl Rogers, this theory emphasizes empathy and unconditional positive regard (Rogers, 1961).
- Gestalt Therapy: Focuses on increasing awareness and integration of thoughts, feelings, and actions (Perls, 1969).
2. Behavior (Behavioring) Theories:
- Behavioral Counseling: Involves modifying maladaptive behaviors through various techniques and reinforcement (Skinner, 1953).
- Reality Therapy: Centers on personal responsibility and the choices clients make (Glasser, 1965).
- Brief Counseling: A pragmatic approach that emphasizes solution-oriented strategies (de Shazer, 1985).
- Individual Psychology: Alfred Adler's conception that incorporates social context in understanding the individual (Adler, 1927).
3. Cognitive (Thinking) Theories:
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT): Focuses on changing irrational beliefs to emotional well-being (Ellis, 1962).
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Integrates cognitive and behavioral techniques to change negative thinking patterns and behaviors (Beck, 1976).
- Psychoanalytic Counseling: Emphasizes unconscious processes and defense mechanisms (Freud, 1923).
- Transactional Analysis: Explores interpersonal relationships and communication styles (Berne, 1964).
4. Systemic Theories:
- Family Therapy: Incorporates family dynamics into the counseling process to address relational issues (Minuchin, 1974).
- Consultation and Collaboration: Involves working with other professionals and systems to support the client’s needs (Duncan, 2010).
Preferred Theories for Children and Adolescents
In counseling children and adolescents, I would prefer using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). This choice is informed by the understanding that children often experience trauma that, while impactful, may not be as deeply entrenched as in adults. CBT equips younger clients with the skills to articulate feelings and recognize how these emotions influence their thoughts and behaviors (Hofmann et al., 2012). This developmental flexibility allows for the teaching of coping strategies that foster resilience and mental health stability.
The Counseling Process: Six Steps and Universal Skills
The counseling process, as outlined in the textbook, includes six essential steps, each associated with specific universal skills (Nugent, 2023):
1. Defining the Problem:
- Active Listening: Engaging with the child by reflecting their feelings and meanings.
- Empathy: Showing genuine understanding of the child's emotional state.
2. Clarifying the Child’s Expectations:
- Defining Goals: Helping the child articulate desired outcomes.
- Exploration: Encouraging dialogue about what they hope to achieve through counseling.
3. Exploring What Has Been Done:
- Open Questions: Facilitating discussions on previous attempts to solve the problem.
- Identifying Strengths: Encouraging the child to recognize their own resources.
4. Exploring New Solutions:
- Exploring Alternatives: Outlining possible new strategies to tackle the issue.
- Affirmation: Validating the child's ideas and encouraging creative solutions.
5. Obtaining a Commitment:
- Providing Information: Equipping the child with knowledge and tools to implement changes.
- Homework: Encouraging practice outside the session to reinforce commitment.
6. Closing the Counseling Interview:
- Summary: Reviewing key points and gains made during the session.
- Reframing: Offering a new perspective on the child’s situation to foster hope.
Importance of the First Step in Counseling
In my opinion, the first step—defining the problem—is imperative in the counseling process. Establishing trust and rapport allows the child to feel secure and open up about their vulnerabilities. This foundational trust creates a safe space for exploration and acceptance, which is essential for effective therapy (Norcross, 2011).
Defense Mechanisms in Psychoanalytic Counseling
In Chapter 5, six defense mechanisms are outlined, including:
1. Sublimation: Channeling negative emotions into more constructive activities.
- Example: Exercising when feeling angry.
2. Suppression: Consciously ignoring troubling thoughts or feelings.
- Example: A child avoiding discussing a traumatic event.
3. Undoing: Engaging in behaviors that counteract a previous unhealthy action.
- Example: Apologizing after a fight.
4. Withdrawal: Retreating from social interactions as a coping mechanism.
- Example: A neglected child avoiding peers.
5. Reaction Formation: Exhibiting behaviors that are the opposite of one’s true feelings.
- Example: Being overly kind to a bully.
6. Regression: Reverting to earlier developmental behaviors when under stress.
- Example: An older child wetting the bed after a stressful event.
The defense mechanism I resonate with most is sublimation, as it serves as a proactive outlet for managing emotions through physical activity.
Psychoanalytic Play Therapy
Psychoanalytic play therapy is pivotal in giving children a voice through play. This approach employs toys and games that resonate with children’s experiences and emotions, fostering a therapeutic alliance where children can express themselves safely (Landreth, 2002). As a potential therapist, I would utilize play therapy to understand a child’s perspective and aid in building rapport, making it easier for the child to discuss their feelings and experiences openly (Guiterrez, 2019).
Evaluating Child-Centered Play Therapy
According to Landreth (2002), Child-Centered Play Therapy can be evaluated using the following criteria:
1. Increased openness to experiences.
2. Greater acceptance of oneself.
3. Enhanced responsibility for one’s feelings.
4. Improved independence and self-direction.
5. Enhanced rationality and objectivity.
6. Increased enjoyment of the present moment.
7. Reduced anxiety and emotional distress.
These evaluation methods ensure that the focus remains on the child's experiences and well-being, prioritizing growth over diagnostic labels.
Conclusion
In sum, understanding the breadth of counseling theories and the structured steps involved in the counseling process is essential for effective practice, particularly with children and adolescents. The classification of theories offers valuable insights into how counselors can tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of their clients, while specific techniques underline the importance of empathy, active listening, and establishing a safe therapeutic environment. Continued exploration of these theories will enhance the capacity to support young clients in navigating their emotional landscapes.
References
1. Adler, A. (1927). Understanding Human Nature. New York: A. A. Knopf.
2. Beck, A. T. (1976). Cognitive Therapy and the Emotional Disorders. New York: Penguin Books.
3. Berne, E. (1964). Games People Play: The Psychology of Human Relationships. New York: Grove Press.
4. de Shazer, S. (1985). Keys to Solution in Brief Therapy. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
5. Duncan, B. L. (2010). The Art and Science of Consultation. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
6. Ellis, A. (1962). Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy. New York: Lyle Stuart.
7. Freud, S. (1923). The Ego and the Id. New York: W. W. Norton & Company.
8. Guiterrez, G. (2019). Therapeutic Approaches to Counseling. Journal of Child Psychotherapy, 12(3), 15-30.
9. Glasser, W. (1965). Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry. New York: Harper & Row.
10. Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, I. J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The Efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: A Meta-Analytic Review. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440.
This reflection highlights the critical intersections of theory and practice in counseling and reinforces the need for adaptive and responsive therapeutic approaches in working with children and adolescents.