Exam 1: Counseling Theories

integrative practice

deliberate use of different theories of counseling/therapeutuc approaches should be used by counselors to develop a style that can be tailroed well to each client

Being a therapist requires

• establishing a good relationship with clients (most important)

• drawinf on own exeperiences and reactions

• identifying techniques to suit the needs of your clients

• modeling behavior for others

cognitive behavioral therapy

says how you think governs how you act

social skills training

training in interpersonal skills involving coaching, modeling, practice situations (ex. anger management

self management and self directed behavior

teaching therapeutic goal setting and replacement for use on selves

• effective for panic attacks, perfectionism, etc.

techniques for managing panic attacks

• mindfulness/acceptance based - awareness produced by attention to the present moment (mindfulness) and process of receiving ones present experience without judgment or preference (acceptance)

• mindfulness based stress reduction - practice with relaxing external and internal present sources of stress due to the idea that stress and suffering results from continual wanting of things to be different than they are

• mindfulness based cognitive therapy - used to treat depresion by developing self compassion amidst negative thoughts

• listing things you sense around you (5 senses method)

• intense exercise

• write down what is bothering you

important personal factors for a therapist

1. authenticity - willingness to be authentic in therapeutic relationship (clients place more value on personality than techniques used)

2. relationship and interpersonal skills - primary factors in prediction of outcome

3. strong sense identity - know who they are and what they want

4. openess to change - leave comfort when necessary

5. sense of humor - important to diffuse tension at times

6. admit mistakes - be honest, make light of and face mistakes

7. live in the present - be present with people

8. influence of culture - awareness of cultural sensitivities and diff values, willingness to develop therapeutic practice that are sensitive to that

9. respect and appreciate self

10. sincere interest in others

11. deeply involved in their work and derive meaning from it

12. passionate - have energy

13. develop healthy boundaries

benefits of personal therapy

can give insight into how personal issues effect professional work and increase empathy for others

developing therapeutic goals

therapy should always begin with clients expectations and goals because therapists goals should be congruent (not always the case)

issues faced by beginning therapists

• anxiety - can be positive, should discuss self doubts but also can be negative if you are too self conscious and dont let your personality show

• understanding limitations - knowing and seeking to push these

• understanding silence - not only learn to be okay with it but explore meaning of silence with client

• tolerating ambiguity - you may not know whether your client is improving or not right away

• humor - learn to distinguish between what distracts from and enhances situation

• sharing responsibility - client and therapist are both responsible for therapy outcome

• don’t give direct advice - even when clients ask because you are not trying to impose your values on them

• techniques - should always know the theoretical rationale behind techniques you are using in therapy, these should always evolve as therapy and practice does

• self monitoring - being aware of warning signs of burnout and strategies to avoid that (must make time to take care of self)

transferance vs countertransferance

when a client looks at you and sees somebody else (like grandfather or father figure, can have positive or negative effects)

when a therapist sees a clinet as someone else in their life which unconciously effects the way they view or behave toward client

avoiding burnout and self monitoring

being aware of warning signs of burnout and strategies to avoid that (must make time to take care of self)

strategies to avoid -

• exercising regularly

• being in nature

• having supportive relationships

• avoiding perfectionism

• going to therapy for own issues

• not taking therapy home with you

skinner

we are a product of the things that have happened to us and who we are has nothing to do with genetics

what to pay attention to when someone first comes in your office

• body language - arms crossed might be guarded, posture

• palm sweat - if you shake hands

• eye contact - another indicator of nervousness

• clothing - are their clothes neat, are they clean, is their hair clean

• fidgeting - bouncing leg, frequent changes in position, fidgeting jewelry

• where in office they choose to sit - close or far, if couple separate or together

what to listen for in a new client

will be the hardest because it requires 100% of attention to the person

• if you arent paying attention could miss key details about their life

• no judgment - encourages them to get out what they need to

• skillfully get them to tell things that they mention they don’t want to talk about

paraphrasing vs summarizing

what should you find out about you client initially and pay attention to?

• birth order

• religious background

• ethnic background

• gender

• age

• household dynamics - currently and childhood

• childhood experiences

• education - must be mindful because as therapist you are likely more educated than clients

• attachment style

• what makes your client happy - often found via observation of emotional expressions - can be used to remind them of the good in their life and end the session on a good note

directive counseling vs indirective counseling

giving clients concrete tasks to carry out/homework/ goals outside therapy to be accomplished

counseling that involves person unloading baggage, talking, fixing their internal space rather than external

immediacy

when a client brings up something that must be immediately addressed, must attentively listen for these things and interrupt process to address the issue

concreteness

giving goals which are quantifiable and attainable

e.g. relaxation strategies, breathing strategies, list

facilitated self disclosure

using your experiences in a session if they will be helpful to the client such as building connection points about your experience as unique shared experiences can connect people

• experiences most times are lighter like maybe your heritage, a unique hobby you both enjoy

• experiences can be deeper such as loneliness, bereavement, but have boundaries

metacognition

therapist awareness of own feelings towards client and own emotional investment

• therapist must learn to recognize feelings and be above situation, not get overly involved

doorknob confessions

intended to keep control and manipulate so you will have to keep your session longer

• important to set boundaries and not let it go longer but address it in the next session

resistance

many people will be guarded and may present as angry or depressed, the important thing as a therapist is to work your way down their feelings to get to the painful memories they dont want to talk about

paraphrasing vs summarizing

saying back to the other person what you heard; basically, showing you understand what the other person said (“so what you’re saying is...”) and are listening

the same thing as paraphrasing, but with more information

emotional content

clients feelings and emotions that arise during counseling