Personal Model of Helping - Essay Example

?Running head: MODEL OF HELPING Model of Helping (school) Model of Helping Introduction In the health care practice, there are various models of helping. These models are used in the administration of care and in the management of patient diseases. These models imply a relationship between the clinician and the patient which is based on the establishment of therapeutic goals for both parties, but mostly for the patient seeking help. The models of helping apply on the patient based on the particular illness and qualities he possesses; each patient is diverse, and hence plans of care and of helping must be based on particular qualities and characteristics. This paper shall consider one particular model of helping; and it shall discuss how and why I formed this viewpoint. It shall establish my view of helping and the relationship between the clinician and the participant. It shall also discuss the different techniques or approached to change with a coherent model chosen which is consistent and which manifests adequate understanding of the material presented, as well as reflects the ability to integrate and synthesize the course material. It shall also discuss the kinds of problems which can be addressed with my model, the multicultural issues of the model, and the limitations and strengths of the model. Finally, it shall consider the populations which this model can help. This paper is being carried out in order to establish a clear and comprehensive discussion of my helping model preference especially as it applies in the clinician setting and on the particular incidents of patient care. Discussion My personal model of helping is a conglomeration of theories and ideas from existential, behaviorism, Adlerian, and person-centered theories, and from the rational-emotive theories. This personal model has been formulated from various models because one theory or model does not encompass the different qualities which I believe I would need in order to be an effective helper. The Adlerian theory basically focuses on the “internal unity of all organisms and their unified functioning as integral parts of larger systems and the entire cosmos” (Sherman and Dinkmeyer, 1987). I would not be emphasizing much on social concerns and interests, but I would be relating to the bigger community – having a sense of others beyond my personal domains. I feel that in having a deeper understanding and connection with others, I would be able to improve my connection with my environment. I also feel that a person’s circumstances of birth and family living have to be considered because there would be times when the functions would be designated and strengthened by societal dictates (Cicirelli, 1994). Family cohesion and grouping has to be considered because the circumstances within a family can impact on a person’s personality and the development of his behavior (Cicirelli, 1994). By understanding a person’s past, it is also possible to establish details which can be used and which can assist me during the treatment process. In effect, as clients have experienced, say, childhood abuse, they may now adopt a cynical perception of the world (Perrott, 2003). It is therefore important to establish what the client thinks of himself, what he perceives of his future, and what he wants to become. Based on the Adlerian theory, being a helper would call on me to first build rapport with my patient, to assess my patient’s general circumstances, and to consider modeling as a means of supporting the patient’s efforts in changing his behavior (Watts, 2003). And I feel that applying personal and one-on-one interviews with patients in the psychotherapeutic setting would assist in building a strong partnership with the patient (Perrot, 2003). One-on-one interviews can help develop a deeper bond with the client and in so many ways it can humanize him and make his problems and issues real and in their proper context. My role as a helper would not be effective if I only have a vague and unfocused knowledge of the patient. Through the personal process of interview, my function as a helper would transcend the superficial realm of client interaction. Time lapsing between the different sessions must be based accordingly on individual preferences and needs (Mosak, 1995). At present, various therapists have set-up meetings with their clients via teleconferencing. Even as this is applicable for some, it may not be applicable to others; therefore this method must not be imposed on others who are not comfortable with the set-up (Mosak, 1995). The face to face method may be more applicable to other patients not comfortable with teleconferencing and the Alderian theory helps me recognize such possibility in my different patients. In using the existential theory in my personal model of helping, I am putting much focus on choice and self-determination. The existential theory emphasizes the importance of respect for the total person (Park, n.d). This theory assumes that human beings are always in transition and evolution. It therefore supports independence of choice and personal responsibility. In effect, as people control their lives, they must also be responsible for their actions. Loneliness is often considered a normal state and people create meanings from the things which are happening in their lives. When they question what happens in their lives, they see meanings and they face the many possibilities of their lives (Park, n.d). I believe that a helper’s role is to help, and not to tell a client what to do. My role revolves more on giving suggestions and possible choices. As a result, my patient would be able to maintain his freedom and be more empowered by his choices and decisions. As a helper, I need to be more honest with my client and not tell him what he feels or what he wants to see and feel. Most of the time, it is easy for me to tell whether or not a person is being pretentious. This pretense cannot hope to build a favorable relationship between me and the patient. A patient therefore has to be honest and to be accountable for his actions (Sharf, 2011). Blaming others for one’s actions is an unhealthy attitude to assimilate and it may be easier to not accept responsibility for one’s actions. This practice however, prevents personal growth. By helping the client acquire more responsibility in his actions, it is possible to implement changes in his behavior (Sharf, 2011). There is much merit in highlighting the favorable and positive projection of man in an appropriate environment, as is seen in the person-centered approach. The person-centered theory places much importance on the individual person’s right to progress in positive directions. Those who actively utilize the theory believe that individuals are basically trustworthy and have a basic ability to reach the actualization of their goals and their health conditions (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010). Related to these beliefs is the confidence which individuals have in the basic desires they have to move their lives in the proper direction (Pearson Prentice Hall, 2010). When a person highlights the good which a person does, confidence can grow in the latter’s relationship and activities with other people. As a patient builds a pleasant environment with his family and friends, he builds it based on what would make him comfortable. There are various negative events which a person may encounter, but in highlighting the positive aspects of such events while seeing the negative elements as learning tools, the patient can grow and learn from his mistakes (Turner 1996). In the process, he will also be able to accept himself for everything that he is, and also to accept others and all that they are, regardless of how different they are from others. I also chose the person-centered approach because it highlights the present context—in other words what is happening now. Exploring the past can help establish causes of current problems; however, it may also cause a client to be fixated on past events (Turner, 1996). And by focusing on the present, a person can establish what is going on in his life at a particular moment in time and to build goals from such events. I believe that a patient must gradually ease into the healing process (Corey, 2009). I also feel that when a person reaches the point where he feels satisfied with what is going on in his life, he can be a more productive person. A person’s life experiences can help him understand what is happening and help him grow from said events and experiences (Corey, 2009). Even if a person would be highly knowledgeable about theories from books, his lack of personal experiences and applications would still cause him to make mistakes. In the end, how a person builds and learns from experiences is the best way to define his life, his future, and his unique identity. My personal model of helping is also based on the ideas of behaviorism. Behaviorism refers to the developmental theory which considers observable behavior created by a learner’s response to stimuli (Michigan State University, n.d). The responses to stimuli can be supported with favorable or unfavorable feedback which then helps manage desirable behavior. Punishment is often based on the elimination or reduction of incorrect behavior, and then supported by clarifying actions (Michigan State University, n.d). It is difficult to teach new behavior to people who have been long accustomed to doing things in a certain way. However, such behavior can still be changed if enough enthusiasm and desire to change is built on a person. As a helper, my role would be to guide the client in changing his behavior – to consider the goals he wants in his life and to outline how such goals can be met on a smaller and more doable scale (Perrott, 2003). In applying behaviorism, I can help the patient by teaching him to be more assertive – to not be afraid when speaking his mind and to express his opinions. In others words, I would be teaching the client to not be a conformist. As a non-conformist, I am also teaching the client to be more responsible for his actions and to not feel like a weakling. Behavior rehearsal is also an important element of behaviorism (Zastrow, 2009). In this case, as a patient attempts to rehearse with the therapist on possible behavior and reactions to situations, he is safely ensconced in a safe environment. Consequently, he would be able to feel more confident in his behavior in the actual setting. I also believe that applying the concept of extinction can help gradually ease out a person’s negative behavior. When his actions do not earn a desired response from me, he would eventually abandon such behavior (Waughfield and Burckhalter, 2002). This works well with children and potentially among adults as well. Other methods in relation to behaviorism include relaxation techniques which can assist clients in relieving stress, anxiety, and tension. It is important for most people to resolve issues in their life because such issues often have a major impact on their mental growth (Janov, 2005). When a person does not consider these issues in his life, he cannot move on well and he would often feel bitter about his life. In trying to resolve issues, he can also move forward with his life. A person can both be rational and irrational and can affect oneself with what he believes; in this case, the rational-emotive theory can be of much help. This theory is founded on the assumption that when people become upset, the events do not actually cause depression or anxiety, but it is the beliefs that people have which cause them depression (REBT Network, 2006). The goal of most people is to find happiness – to get along with other people and to be well informed about what can make people happy. Assisting a client in ridding on self-defeating habits is very much critical to the patient’s recovery (REBT Network, 2006). With the use of logical reasoning, this task can be achieved. As a person is able to control his emotions, he can better think out his situation. Logic is based on sound reasoning and a person able to apply logic in his life can also make better and more rational decisions (REBT Network, 2006). By helping the client reach more logical decisions, I would be able to help him reach stronger and more solid decisions. Such decisions would therefore have to be based on realistic or SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound) (Corsini, 1999). In effect, excuses would be eliminated in this sphere and goals would be met and prioritized. There are some limitations in these models I have chosen and these limitations would mostly involve the inapplicability of my personal model for helping on some patients according to their personality beliefs and culture differences (Vazquez and Rosa, 2011). As a helper, there is a need to apply flexibility in my techniques because my model may not apply to all of my clients. As a helper, I need to be sensitive to these nuances and to note that my model may work very well with some clients and fail miserably with others. I already noticed how some clients may have different ideas on what constitutes their personal space. On the average, about a foot or two of personal space is sufficient for some clients; however for some others they may feel like their personal space is being violated with two feet of space. In this case, I need to make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the patient would feel comfortable in my company and that I would be able to establish trust and rapport with the patient (Vazquez and Rosa, 2011). In assessing my personal model however, I am confident that the techniques I have chosen to make up my model will be helpful to most patients, especially those who are willing to implement changes in their lives. There are various multicultural aspects which have to be considered when attempting to help. In order for such help to reach maximum efficacy, a helper must understand his own culture first, and then attempt to understand his patient’s culture (Bolton-Brownlee, 1987). After understanding the patient’s culture, I can avoid pinning stereotypical ideas and expectations on him. In adequately understanding the patient’s culture, I would be more sensitive as to his beliefs, expectations, values, and roles (Bolton and Brownlee, 1987). By being more culturally aware, a helper would be able to establish methods which would fit the needs and the beliefs of the patient. An Asian for example has beliefs and expectations vastly different from an American. As a helper, I need to know and understand that most Asians do not make decisions on their care without consulting their family. Even past the age of emancipation, these Asians are deeply family-centered and are duty-bound to consider their families before making their decisions. It is not therefore proper for me as a helper to insist that a patient make his personal decision about his care, especially when his decision would not sit well with his family. Proper caution needs to be taken in these instances because setting a patient apart from his family and his comfort zone might make the therapeutic process counterproductive. This model would fit a diverse population, regardless of gender, ethnic, class or racial grouping or orientation. The strength of its application is in its adjustability based on client differences. Based on individual qualities, adjustments on the model can easily be implemented with a focus on some aspects of helping being applied or less applied to the patient. Conclusion My personal model of helping is a combination of theories, which includes the Adlerian theory, existential, the person-centered theories, behaviorism, and the rational-emotive theories. The techniques chosen shall vary from person to person and it shall also be based on the cultural peculiarities and qualities of a patient. In order to ensure effective helping, the therapeutic process with the patient must be client-centered. It must consider the issues which a patient has, consider his history, his culture, his family circle, and then conceptualize a plan of care which can take into consideration all these elements and help manage his mental health issues. In applying my personal model of helping, I can ensure the full and holistic recovery of the patient. As each element and aspect of his life is considered, the patient can apply a more participative and a more engaging attitude in his own plan of care. For therapists and “helpers,” having a very interactive and coordinated patient interaction can spell the final positive or negative outcome of care. Works Cited Bolton-Brownlee, A. (1987). Issues in multicultural counseling. 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