Gerald Corey (2017) states in the beginning of our textbook, “Counseling students can begin to acquire a counseling style tailored to their own personality by familiarizing themselves with the major approaches to therapeutic practice” (p.2). Throughout this year I have learned that how I view the world and how I try to fix things is neither right nor wrong, but it works for me. It is not how every person is going to view to counsel clients, but it is one approach. There is no right or wrong way to help someone, as long as it does not damage the client more. I believe there is a reason why everyone is the way they are and helping the client understand why they feel, think, or act the way they do, helps them become more self-aware and become at peace with themselves. No one changes their behavior without a cause. Helping the client understand why there is a change in behavior, can help let them understand why they feel the way they do. Whether it is a negative or a positive change, it still helps to know why. Over the past semester, I have learned to apply my strengths to my own counseling style and to improve my weaknesses, found theories …show more content…
As a counselor, I will try my hardest to learn about as many cultures as I can and to learn from my clients appropriate and inappropriate things that are in their culture. As I help my client, I hope to have an open relationship with them where we can mutually ask about each others cultures. I will never push my own cultural beliefs on a client. Additionally, I am not one-hundred percent committed to my cultural beliefs. I like to learn about things from new perspectives and culture is one of those things. Fully submersing myself in a new country can help me learn the culture of the country I am working in. It would be extremely important in my career path to have broad understanding of different
Counselors regularly decide which school of thought they will mainly utilize with their clients most often based on the combination of the orientation of the program they were primarily trained under, based on their personal views and opinions, and their personal therapeutic experience. There are some therapists who consider themselves purists and generally subscribe to only one particular theory practice; however, it is becoming increasingly uncommon to encounter a therapist, counselor or psychologist who still considers themselves a purist in that fashion. It has been realized that many theories offer potentially helpful methods of counseling (Lazarus, 2005), and some therapists find certain aspects of certain theories easier to manipulate in order to help different clients through different issues.
Over the last 100 years, the underpinning concepts in the fields of psychology and counseling were wrought. Within this period, these concepts have transformed and evolved from somewhat crude conceptions of the psyche toward more holistic interventions and approaches. As the profession continues to move forward, adaptations of the original theorists regarding the nature of man and the development of personality continue to emerge. These adaptations, along with the integration of new concepts and ideas, continue to contribute to the field. The author describes his view of man and human nature, personality development, and explores potential implications for counseling.
The counseling session should be centered on the client and their understanding of their world and/or problems not heavily weighted on the counselor interpretation of the client’s situation. The role of the counselor is to examine a problem needs changing and discover options in overcoming their problem. Bringing about change can help change the client’s narrative on their problem in the future and/or on life in the process.
I was really nervous about doing this first practice recording. While I knew how I wanted to start the conversation, I was stressed out about the unknown that comes along with these sessions. I am constantly listening to my friends talk, but how I had to respond for the counseling session was very different than what I am typically used to. I usually give my friends my opinions and advice on how I would handle the situation. It was hard for me to just sit back and let my classmate talk. I wanted to respond to many of her statements, but I had to take a step back and really just listen. In these types of counseling sessions my thoughts and opinions are not important. Rather, the focus should only be on the person you are counseling.
Every client is unique, and regardless of the theoretical approach, I believe that the therapeutic relationship between client and counselor is critical.
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
Establishing a theoretical counseling orientation is an important step in developing professional identity. Theories provide counselors with explanations of human nature, help with conceptualizing clients’ problems and deliver procedural guidance in predicting clients’ change. Contemporary counselor is expected to be integrative and eclectic, drawing inspiration from many approaches. It is also my hope to synthesize a variety of concepts and a diversity of strategies from different theories and integrate them into a coherent, comprehensive perspective.
These techniques include showing concern for clients through active listening and empathy, showing respect for and confidence in clients, focusing on client’s strong points and positive traits, resources, replacing discouraging thoughts with encouraging ones, and helping clients to develop a sense of humor about life. (Watts & Pietrzak,2000,p 443) Another method, as mentioned earlier is building a strong rapport with the client. Therapists use a variety of techniques to facilitate change in the client’s behavior. Therapists help clients to choose alternative behaviors to the behaviors that are maladaptive. The next method is getting the client to change how he or she views a situation. This is done inside and outside of counseling. Through this technique a client comes to realize their abilities and strengths. Last but not least, therapists help clients draw on their resources and strengths when faced with a situation that seems troublesome. (Watts & Pietrzak,2000,p
The counselor accomplishes the above by expressing empathy, developing discrepancies, going along with resistance and supporting self-efficacy. Moreover, the counselor guides the client toward a solution that will lead to permanent posi...
Furthermore, my goal is to let client fix their problems on their own through insight and guidance from the therapist. I envision a successful therapeutic process being when a client follows their goals and achieves positive outcomes in their lives. I seek to gain a therapeutic process with my clients by building rapport, trust, and helping them gain insight. When my clients are stuck and need motivation, I plan to remind them about their goals and the positive things that will come with change. If family is important to a client, informing the client about their family and their happiness may help motivate them to continue to
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.
Professional ethical conduct is essential to the success of any client, whether it is in individual counseling or in a group setting. Professional psychologists, therapists, counselors, social workers or others in the field of human service or help have the duly responsibility to continuously become aware of their professional responsibilities, and manage their practice based on areas of ability. This paper will research ethics within groups and individual counseling, and compare their similarities and their differences.
When I first thought about this competency and all the nuances and complexities involved, I was very excited as I have a profound interest in learning about theories which govern our work as counselors. Moreover, I believe they play an essential role in one developing a greater understanding of how the field works as well as provide us with the knowledge needed to apply ourselves effectively. Integral to meeting criteria for this specific competency I believe were the courses of helping relationships, counseling theory and practice, social and cultural foundations and my internship experience. Upon discovering that the course counseling theory and practice was offered online, I became very scared and nervous as throughout my life I have been very apprehensive about online learning. This course experience however, proved to be a very positive one as the learning style incorporated was very interactive and allowed me the opportunity to look at the counseling process from different viewpoints as a result of reading others thoughts on specific theories and
One aspect I found striking was the role of advice giving in counseling. Prior to this class, I knew that counselors did not typically give opinions or advice to lead a client in a certain direction. What I did not know was the entire reasoning behind this. A counselor might avoid giving advice so that a client learns to make his/her own decisions, does not become dependent on the counselor, and to ensure that a client will not later blame the counselor if the counselor’s advice did not turn out well. In this context, I have a better appreciation and understanding of why therapists refrain from telling the client what to do.
It is imperative to study counseling theories when beginning field based work. Counseling theories provide a foundation to be able to learn and develop my own techniques. Some ideas that exemplify the significance of counseling theories are; research, application of theories, and case studies.