Approaching Rehabilitation Counseling from a Person-Centered Theoretical Orientation The field of counseling is continually evolving to meet the needs of our society and the consumers who choose to seek services. The individual experience shapes the way in which each person perceives and relates to their surroundings. As helping professionals there is an understanding that the consumer’s world view and life experiences may affect the therapeutic process. In addition, the orientation of the counselor and the therapeutic alliance formed between counselor and consumer may also impact the change process. Developing a counseling philosophy based upon a counseling theory provides a framework and point of reference for the counselor. From an ethical …show more content…
He defines this as “a natural tendency toward a more complex and complete development” (Rogers, 1979, p. 99). Human capacity is described from a positive and optimistic outlook. The individual is said to have “vast resources for self-understanding, for altering [ones] self-concept and basic attitudes, and his or her self-directed behavior” (Rogers, 1979, p.98). Rogers proposes that each individual has the tools to solve their internal conflicts and ability to guide their own growth. He recognizes that each human being is shaped by his or her experiences. Individuals with disabilities may experience adversities that create greater obstacles, but at the core they are striving towards growth. This is what Rogers (1979) terms as the art of becoming or tendency toward gaining …show more content…
Incongruence can result from a heightened sense of awareness or an internal discrepancy. This may create a vulnerability or anxiety for the individual. These feelings often lead people to seek counseling services because of their desire to relieve the symptoms. In the third condition the therapist is said to be congruent or integrated in the relationship (Rogers, 1957). The congruence of the therapist refers to the therapist being genuine within the counselor-consumer therapeutic alliance. The fourth condition refers to the therapist providing unconditional positive regard for the consumer (Rogers, 1957). This means there are no conditions of worth for the consumer to gain acceptance from the counselor. The fifth condition indicates a need for the “therapist to experience an empathic understanding of the consumer’s internal frame of reference and endeavors to communicate this experience to the consumer” (Rogers, 1957, p. 96). Lastly, the final condition conveys that “the consumer perceives, to a minimal degree, the acceptance and empathy which the therapist experiences for him” (Rogers, 1957, p. 102). The consumer has awareness of the counselor’s utilization of empathic statements and unconditional positive
Case conceptualization explains the nature of a client’s problem and how they develop such problem ( Hersen, & Porzelius, p.3, 2002) In counseling, assessment is viewed as a systematic gathering of information to address a client’s presenting concerns effectively. The assessment practice provides diagnostic formulation and counseling plans, and aids to identify assets that could help the client cope better with concern that they are current. Assessment is present as a guide for treatment and support in the “evaluation process. Although many methods can be employed to promote a thorough assessment, no one method should be used by itself” (Erford, 2010, p.269-270). Eventually, it is the counselor's job to gain adequate information concerning the client and the client's presenting concerns to establish an effective treatment strategy. Using a combination of assessment techniques increases the likelihood of positive interventions and promotes successful treatment (Erford, 2010, p.271). A case conceptualization reflects how the professional counselor understands the nature of the presenting problems and includes a diagnostic formulation. Case conceptualization organizes assessment data into meaningful outline, applying research, and theory to make sense of client’s current problem.
One theme of the book that stands out is the counselor as a person and a professional. It is impossible to completely separate one’s personal and professional lives. Each person brings to the table certain characteristics of themselves and this could include such things as values, personality traits and experiences. A great point that Corey, Corey, and Callahan (2010) make is to seek personal therapy. Talking with colleagues or a therapist will keep counselors on their toes and allow them to work out any issues that may arise. This could also prevent counselors from getting into a bad situation. Another good point made in this book was counter transference. Therapists are going to have an opinion and some reactions are going to show through. It is not easy to hide one’s emotions, but a good therapist will keep the objective in sight and keep moving forward. After all, the help counselors are providing is for the client.
As this book points out, and what I found interesting, the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, can be even more important than how the therapy sessions are conducted. A therapists needs to be congruent. This is important because a client needs a sense of stability. To know what is expected from him or her while being in this transitional period of change. In some cases this congruency may be the only stability in his life, and without it, there is no way of him trusting in his t...
Another aspect of my personal theory comes from Carl Rogers and his Person Centered theory. My greatest take away from Rogers is his theory of unconditional positive regard. I am in agreement that an individual in counseling must feel as if they are being accepted and not judged by their therapist. Often individuals who seek counseling are fearful to begin with so as a therapist it is important to make this client feel at ease and understand that they are in a safe environment where they will not be judged. Once you can establish this with a client I believe that the relationship with that client will be more successful and the ...
I know as I further my education in the counseling field my philosophy of counseling will change. For myself, I feel that I am still young and learning about myself and my surroundings. In my eyes to be suitable to help others I need to continue to grow as a person myself both professionally and mentally. I want to be able to move forward and develop new distinctions and aspects to my philosophy of counseling as time goes on. I hope to continue my growth in understanding of what it means to be a good therapist or counselor by using good theories and techniques to help future clients.
Throughout the country there are approximately 2 million inmates in state, federal and private prisons. California has the highest incarceration. So what will we do to reduce this rate? This is where society looks into rehabilitation for these inmates, hoping to free some space within the prison systems. The advantage and disadvantage of rehabilitation in the community compare to incarceration.
Ability and disability entails the ability to do things others can do or the inability to do something due to physical challenges, mental or emotional challenges that one possesses within their immediate surroundings. Basing on positionality, ability and disability is a key attribute that can make a person to be viewed different within their immediate societies. These attributes can make one to be embraced or sideline within their immediate surroundings.
This model identifies five moral principles which are: justice, autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and fidelity. These fundamental guidelines are used to clarify issues that involve any given situation. Ethical guidelines may not address all situations, but will allow a counselor to explore ethical dilemmas and conflicting issues. Counselors are responsible to encourage clients to make their own appropriate decisions and to act on their own values. Two important things to consider when counseling client are: autonomous encouragement helps clients understand how their decisions and values that may or may not receive within the context of the society; they live in or may impinge on the rights of others (Kitchener,
Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (9th Edition). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole Publishing.
Corey, C. (1991). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (4th ed.). Pacific Grove, California, USA: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. (Original work published 1977)
Seligman, L., & Reichenberg, L. W. (2014). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Systems, Strategies, and Skills (4th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
The counselling process is one that may last for as little as one session or for years, it is within the middles stages of the helping relationship that particular counselling skills such as a focusing, challenging and immediacy can be implemented, as well as use of advanced empathy that can be applied due to increased familiarity with a speaker. Many actions may occur within middles stage of the helping relationship such as transitions that occur for a multitude of reasons and the outcome of which can vary based on the attitude of the speaker. Self-awareness remains vital throughout the entire counselling relationship due to the continual influence of empathy in the helping relationship and remaining aware my own motives and values when using advanced empathy and specific counselling skills. Ethics and boundaries are also involved within the counselling process as within a counselling relationship, I as the counsellor, must be careful with the balance or expenditure of power when challenging.
Person-Centred Counselling established its origins in the late 1940 during a conference when Carl Rogers gave a talk entitled ‘New Concepts in Psychotherapy’. The summarisation of the talk resulted in the theory that the client in a counselling relationship should be at the center of the relationship and lead the counselling process. The Client, in effect became the expert on their life and/or problems. The fundamental belief is that an individual is capable of change, growth and fulfillment (self-concept). Person-Centred counselling looks at ‘the here and now’ and how to make changes that affect the future. Person-Centred Counselling generated a system known as the ‘Core Conditions Model’ which emphasized three key components: Empathy, Congruence and Acceptance.
Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (ninth ed., pp. 291-301). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.