Identifying the ego defenses manifested by Steve during therapy was beneficial in ultimately setting realistic goals in effort meet him at his level of readiness, therefore, solidifying the therapeutic alliance with an involuntary client. Steve had been isolating himself from his peers for an extended period of time. The reason for isolation was his thoughts about the perception other students had about special education recipients. In Goldstein (1995), “Sometimes the mechanism of isolation is referred to as isolation of affect, for there is a repression of the feelings associated with particular content or the idea connected with certain affects” (p. 78). According to Woods and Hollis (2000), understanding why a client is experiencing distress facilitates reaching common ground with the client, enabling realistic goal setting. The causality of resistance is often discomfort associated with the client not being in a state of readiness, further emphasizing the need for mutual goal setting in order to obtain treatment progression and establish therapeutic alliances. Client and clinician working together in a therapeutic alliance to analyze behavior and determine how to move forward within the context of a ‘mindful holding environment, endorses learning from discomfort for treatment benefit. Similarly, Steve adopted denial as a way to defend himself from labeling and stigma. Brandell (2010), “Defense is a term used to describe struggles of the ego, unconsciously employed, to protect the self from perceived danger” (p. 141). In denying his sensitivity to the feelings expressed about special education by peers, Steve was hoping he could ignore being placed in the “sped” (special education) category. The increased absences were a di... ... middle of paper ... ...ationship with involuntary clients necessitates the development of a ‘mindful holding environment’ in order to promote client well-being. The identification, acknowledgement, and use of the resistance that arises in a mandated therapeutic relationship to engage the client in treatment participation is essential for helping him/her work on the problems affecting their ability to realize goals, as well as, liberate themselves from oppression. Similarly Teitelbaum stated (1991), “ The best we can do as analysts is to try particular interventions that follow from different formulations, assess their impact and be flexible to shift our technique in face of the continual changing dynamics presented by the patient” (p. 128). In the same vein, meeting clients where they are ensures readiness for treatment approaches set forth and solidifies the therapeutic relationship.
Together, therapist and patient examine not only a situation that the client was involved in, but also the client’s experience of the event. This is done in the relational context of the therapeutic relationship, allowing experiences to evolve and for deepening and articulation to cause change.
Labeling theory is an issue that has been raised that deserves a closer look. Labeling theory, the impression that the public labels certain people as different from the normal conduct. (Popple and Leighninger, 2011) Everyone labels in society. An actor can be labeled into a certain part thought out his/her career. A boss is labeled horrible for firing one individual. Society uses labels and it defines people. The book brought up two points of labeling that should be explored. The first point is the label of developmental disabilities will give a diagnosis. People who have developmental disabilities have it, and they cannot change the situation. It can be manageable, but there will always be the label. The second point is that the society label and perception of the label. There is a stigma in the public about developmental disabilities. Although more accepted than mental illness, developmental disability has a label of individuals being stupid and slow. Labeling theory can be seen throughout history. Chapter thirteen points out that history can shape individual’s label of developmentally disabilities.
For example, Ray shaped his identity around Tourette’s syndrome. Sacks (1981) noted that “[Ray] seemed, at least jokingly, to have little sense of his identity except as a ticqueur.” Tics were such a large part of Ray’s identity that “[Ray] said he could not imagine life without Tourette’s, nor was he sure he would care for it” (Sacks, 1981). Since childhood, Ray’s life had comprised and been challenged by tics. Ray’s relationships and work life had been so strongly affected by his ticking that a life without Tourette’s would have been foreign for Ray. Additionally, Ray may have been affected by the concept of self-stigma, “the tendency to internalize mental health stigma and see oneself in more negative terms as a result of experiencing a psychological problem” (Davison et al., 2014, p. 21). Perhaps Ray internalised the stigma that he experienced, defining himself as little more than a ticker. Many individuals who suffer from mental and physical disorders may feel like their disorder defines them; however, one can counter this negative viewpoint through various treatment
Stickley, T. & Freshwater, D. (2006). “The Art of Listening to the Therapeutic Relationship” Journal of Mental health Practice. 9 (5) pp12 - 18.
...The client must take the tools and techniques they learned in therapy and apply them in order to successfully abstain from substance use.
developed, creates coping strategies to deal with the stresses that are causing anxiety, and increases her problem-solving capabilities (Goldstein, 2005). Additionally, Goldstein (2005) states that ego-supportive intervention will also address the changes that will occur while in treatment. For example, the client will discuss what are some of the changes that she would like to see between now and the termination of treatment. Moreover, the intervention will present her with additional knowledge about how to deal with her emotions and their ties to her past experiences. For instance, the client will examine a time in the past where she was nervous about the future, and how she dealt successfully, or unsuccessfully, with that experience.
When the term client-centered is invoked, the emphasis is on a therapeutic relationship with patients who pay for the visit and who are expected to be in charge of their own cure and who are therefore called clients. Rogerian therapy is respectful, treating all human beings as equal to one another, and Rogers leaves the direction of the process to the client. The professional has a role to play: to provide the atmosphere of unconditional positive regard and permissiveness, empathic understanding, and congruence. The emphasis is on a genuine relationship more than a nondirective technique coldly applied at a distance from the client. This authenticity in the relationship has driven a contemporary therapist to propose the concept of fallibility
To explain, the client should not be inferior to the counselor; the environment should be two people discussing an issue and ways to make a difference. A therapist should occasionally share similar experiences; therefore, sessions should make clients feel comfortable. To add, the client should feel safe due to the positive atmosphere the therapist brings to the session. The goal is to finally give the client a chance to be heard, regularly people are muted and feel like they are insignificant to society. Similarly, to Person-centered therapy where communication with the client is unconditionally positive. The therapist needs to genuinely care about the client needs for them to fully express themselves successfully. Furthermore, clients should be encouraging to make their own choices which model how to identify and use power responsibly. Hence, this will help the client feel more confident in everyday life when making a meaningful
The therapeutic process begins with the therapist conducting investigations on the lifestyle of clients in an attempt to identify their misperceived and misdirected goals. The central aim of therapy serves to “develop the client’s sense of belonging and to assist in the adoption of behaviors and processes characterized by community feeling and social interest” (Corey, 2013, p. 101). In looking at phase 1, the focus of Adlerian therapists is on establishing one on one contact with their clients. This relationship is formed through the processes of “listening; responding; demonstrating respect for clients’ capacity to understand purpose and seek change; and exhibiting faith, hope and caring” (Corey, 2013, p. 105). During this phase also, close attention is given to clients subjective experiences by therapists. Likewise, phase 2 constitutes the conducting of both a subjective and objective interview where subjective interviews entail therapists assisting clients in relating their full life story. Objective interviews on the other hand, refers to the process by which therapists seek to obtain information from clients on how their problems were brought on, precipitating events, medical and social history,
The therapist must be aware of individual values and beliefs in order to develop an understanding of why the client responds to certain life-stressors. For e...
-Development of a relationship with the patient themselves that is therapeutic for the individual (Boyd, 2008). Are they from a certain religious background and not adhering to that religious belief may impede on their health, these are answers that may be found by building a therapeutic relationship (Boyd, 2008). This may mean collaboration with those close to the individual effected by the mental disorder with consent, people such as family, or loved ones that may be imperative to the individuals care (Boyd, 2008).
Stickley,T. & Freshwater, D. (2006). “The Art of Listening to the Therapeutic Relationship” Journal of Mental health Practice. 9 (5) pp12 - 18.
I decided early on that I would allow myself to experience these feelings fully, because in order to be a good therapist, I need to be able to understand how the client might be feeling. I am still just beginning this journey, but I have every intention of becoming more open to embracing the new awareness that I have found in this class. This paper describing my philosophy will incorporate all three of these systems of psychotherapy in what I believe to be a clear and cohesive manner.
In the course of my study, I have now come to realize that there are no hard and fast rules to structuring and guiding therapy. I think that in the real world, the techniques used would depend on the client and vary with each client’s situation. I am learning to be flexible with my approaches when dealing with clients. I also learned that therapy should be resource and client-focused, giving client the opportunity to be an active participant in the therapeutic process, i...
Teyber discusses the concept of a Working Alliance relationship and what this looks like between a client and therapist. Teyber describes this relationship as a particularly empathic way of being, listening and responding to a clients’ concerns. He explains that this relationship must begin upon the foundation of trust, and is very importantly, an equal partnership that is active but not authoritative by nature. Teyber believes that to offer therapy from an authoritarian position may create a reliance on the therapist, rather than fostering an empowerment that the client can draw from their own self.