Therapeutic Approach and Methods Used in Counselling Psychology - Essay Example

? Topic: Counselling Psychology Counselling Psychology In this case study, I work as a counselling psychologist in the university North of England. The case study is based on the assessments and results based on the introductory meeting of the three assessment sessions, which are provided by the Employee Assessment Program operated by the Human Resource Department of the University. According to the background information provided, the client is valued amongst his coworkers because of his amiable and caring nature, but now he has taken a prolonged leave of absence from work because of personal troubles. This absence is affecting his workplace environment badly as he played an essential role in keeping his team together. The client, James is reluctant to share more information about his problematic personal life, due to the assumption that his problems cannot be solved by talking them through. My aim is to provide him with guidance, which will help him develop better coping skills while assuring him of the confidentiality of the discussion. Therapeutic Approach and Methods Used: In order to prepare and execute a therapeutic intervention with James, so that he can be assured that counselling will help him tackle his problems and cope the pressure, a definite therapeutic approach must be used. The approach I am going to use in this situation is humanistic existential approach. Humanistic Existential Approach: Psychoanalysis is interested in using various techniques of exploring the unconscious mind in order to cure. These techniques were initially developed by Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis. There are many different approaches in Counselling psychology; one of them is humanistic existential approach (Raskin & Corsini, 1989). This approach rose to prominence in the mid-20th century, when psychoanalysts like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow began to feel that the existing psychodynamic theories are failing to meet the psychoanalytical requirements of the modern world, as they do not adequately address issues like the nature of healthy growth and meaning of behavior etc. (Kirschenbaum & Henderson, 1990). Humanistic existential approach is a collaboration of humanistic and existential psychoanalysis approaches. Humanistic approach provides a broad spectrum of therapeutic methods as it focuses on the self-healing abilities and capacities of a person's mind, body, and spirit; while, existential approach emphasizes on coming on terms with the challenges of everyday life. It involves an evaluation of the individual’s past experiences and personal values in order to face and overcome the factors which are causing them anxiety and distress. A wide range of approaches can be utilized to case therapeutic goals, research methodologies, conceptualization, and intervention strategies. The basic strategy behind this therapeutic approach is to understand human experiences and counsel the clients to develop self-awareness and self-understanding in constructive ways. It is, in short, a mash of focusing on the hierarchy of human needs and self-understanding, while keeping in mind the whole person and the individual's potential (Peristiani, 2003). This approach is distinguished by other psychoanalytical approaches with the rejection of determinism, emphasis on growth, and the use of the philosophy of phenomenology. It involves coming on terms with all the aspects of one's personality, moving towards positive growth while discarding the theory that behavior can be studied only objectively. Methods and Techniques Involved: Now that we have a clear idea of this approach, I will discuss how humanistic existential approach can be used to prepare and execute therapeutic interventions with the client, James. The humanistic existential approach is further divided into many methods. Some of which are: Gestalt Therapy Empathy Existential Integrative Psychotherapy Person-Centered or Client-Centered Therapy Incongruence Self-help (Laveant, 1987) Person-Centered Approach: Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987) was the founder of this therapeutic technique. It encourages individuals to explore their selves themselves inside a safe psychological environment which urges them to grow positively and face their challenges (Cockett & Randall, 2006). As James is reluctant to talk about his problems, it will no doubt be difficult for him to open up to a complete stranger. Person-centered approach is ideal for him as it will let him explore his own mind and come to the right conclusion himself. James, who is normally on top of his world, is facing challenges which have turned his world upside down. He has a positive workplace environment, where he is on good terms with his coworkers, not because of his exceptional skills, but due to his personal interactions and cooperative nature. Now that his partner is facing psychological problems, he has to not only take care of her emotional and physical needs, but also of their new born baby. Human beings are used to monotony, and they show a generally negative response to change (British Association for the Person Centered Approach, 2011). This sudden change from his routine has left James disturbed and anxious. He feels like he cannot be of help, which is the mindset of most people facing psychological problems. This attitude is exacerbated by the thought that he will have to be dictated by a counselor and be told what to do and what not to do. Person-centered therapy will help raise his self-esteem, as the result of the initial meeting clearly indicates that James is insecure deep down about his work, his relationship, and his own capabilities. He is not very ambitious and his value at his office, like creating new opportunities and strengthening team performance, is because of his personal traits, and not because of job skills. He has buried these thoughts deep inside of him, so not going to work haunts him that he has made the situation worse for himself at work by his absence, without any notification. The thought that he is giving up on his career to make things better at home when they are getting worse, is another reminder of his failure to cope up with the pressure. He cannot take care of the baby alone and all this stress makes him miss his previous life; he feels burdened by these changing elements around him. On top of all this, if he starts following terms given by a guidance counselor, he won't be able to take the pressure positively (Bugental, 1978). There is a lot of anger and resentment stored in him as he is giving up his comforts and ease of a normal routine life, however, he cannot say anything as the consequences will be dire. He wants to blame all these problems on someone else, but he is unable to because his partner is suffering from post-natal depression and James does not want to act selfish. He feels like he would not be able to stop once he has started to vent his feelings, and in that process, he would hurt a lot of people he is close to. Torn between these issues, he feels strongly that he does not have a life anymore, and is merely living for other people while sacrificing his own self. In these circumstances an authoritative psychoanalyst would not help his condition as James feels angry towards the management of his workplace for not allowing them a leave of medical absence. His urge for privacy from the team of work indicates that he likes to keep things to himself rather than talking them through. All this suggests that James does not trust people easily, and at this critical point in his life, he would not prefer to take orders from a stranger; rather he will be able to learn how to channelize his frustration and cope up with the pressure by facing his problems and understanding his whole self (Combs, 1986). The intended approach plays with the fact that human beings know what is best for them; an individual knows what he’s experienced in the past, and he will know how to come to terms with this better than the therapist. So, the technique that the therapist is an expert is moved towards the innate tendency (actualizing tendency) where James will be given control of his own therapeutic methods in a safe psychological environment so that he does not feel any physical or psychological threat. This approach does not use any specific techniques but depends chiefly on the personal traits of the counselor to build an empathic, non-judgmental, and confidential relationship (Wood, 2008). The initials session is of great importance, as here I will start the formation of an alliance with James, which will mark the quality of the relationship over the time of the entire therapy program. This can be done appropriately by emphasizing from the beginning on the freedom of choice and potential for change. The fact must be established from the start that James is not bound by my expert opinion, but rather he is aware of his own potential and will start and complete the journey himself; I will be there only to guide him with wherever is required. Another major step is to make him aware of the articulate goals and expectations of the therapy, which show the rationale behind these sessions. This will help in keeping James motivated and set in the direction of achievement of the target. The absence of any distinct therapeutic methods in this technique paves way for the reflection of the honesty of the client and the therapist, so my authentic method of encountering James, and being candid and honest throughout the preliminary session, will establish an open and collaborative therapeutic relationship. Keeping in mind the Core Conditions, exhibiting congruence by being genuine and not hiding behind a facade will help conveying with James in a better way as honest professional opinions could be shared that way which will be helpful in this relationship (Corey, 2011). The client, James, is not facing any psychological disorder; he is just a facing a lot of challenging situations and has failed to cope up with the increasing pressure exerted by these circumstances. My job is not to pass judgment or to give advice, but to make him feel accepted and understood by providing a positive environment, suggesting that he has answers to his problems and he can solve them himself. James is going through a phase where he is suffering from low self-esteem and confidence, because he believes he is putting all his effort; however, it is not sufficient. His morale needs boosting up by a surety that he has the potential to rise from these problems and eliminate the hurdles in his path ("Psychoanalysis techniques," 2011). Humanistic existential approach is about coming to terms with one’s past and present so that one’s future is shaped better for them, and they are able to deal with stress properly and hence, live with satisfaction. The main goal in this therapeutic relationship is to provide James with better coping skills, which would help him tackle both his current problems, as well as future pressures. Another important target which has to be achieved by James at the end of therapy sessions is his personal growth. Every human being is aware of the paramount of his/her positive growth and s/he should struggle to achieve that point as each person has the potential to reach there (Wachtel & Greenberg, 1997). The holistic approach of this technique implies that human beings are not just sums of their behaviors and social interactions, but in fact they are more complex than that. The recognition of the true potential of James can only be done by talking about his psychological, biological, social, and spiritual dimensions. All human beings possess an innate ability of realizing their psychological health, thus believing that they have the capacity of curing it too is the main idea behind asking James to cope up about his various dimensions so he could come to terms with his challenges (Barnes, 1995). After trust has been developed between me and James, the most important step would be to repeatedly encourage him and emphasize his positive characteristics like the ability to work affably with his coworkers so that they feel more like a family than a team in his presence. Another goal would be to motivate James to realize that building up all his frustration and anger inside him has made him a person who is very different from the one he wants to become. Sufficient positive insight can show him that the choices he had been making under pressure do not reflect the principles he aspires and believes in. Understanding and accepting his problems will show him how to move forward and avoid bad decisions in the future; however, running away from the same problems and not venting the anger will only result in actions which he will regret later. The main focus will be James' self-actualizing core and his positive skills, which can be achieved by James' understanding of my total and unconditional acceptance of whatever he has been through and has to say. This will aid in overcoming resistance through consistent and unwavering acceptance. This will prove to be a major influence in replacing his negative attitude with a positive one. Understanding is the foremost step towards acceptance and only with the acceptance of reality, there can be recovery, the strength to face the consequences, and the ability to shape a better future (Thamisgith, 2010). This method will increase a dimension of self-respect, self-motivation, and self-growth that will facilitate his treatment even better because this method tends to increase and aid therapeutic rapport, self-awareness, focus on potential inner skills and resources, and render James responsible for his own recovery when the time comes eventually. This will broaden his spectrum of thoughts and enable him to look beyond the limitations of short-term treatment and temporary problems, as well as enable him to envision recovery as a lifelong process of learning and striving continuously in order to reach his full potential and develop coping skills to master any stressful situation. Unconditional positive regard in the psychological environment will help James realize his own weaknesses and strengths so that he could cope with them in his own way (Strisik & Strisik, 2002). Another method is to appeal to a four part framework encompassing James' existence; his body, health, social interactions, intimacy with others, and the spiritual dimension of ideals, values, philosophy, and ultimate beliefs. This framework of four dimensions will not be imposed on James but would simply inform him about my understanding and acceptance of his physical and spiritual world and needs (McMillan, 2004). These methods would not only help James realize his own self-worth and respect, but will also let him explore his inner dimensions so he could be aware of what is the main cause of his inner turmoil, which is reflecting in outwards uneasiness and his tendency to run away from his problems, like not showing up for work without any information about coming back, his discomfort regarding sharing family matters and health issues, and the insecurity about keeping his feelings in control once he’s started catharsis by venting them out. All of these realizations will facilitate him in coping up with this situation by, for example, seeking professional help for his partner's post natal depression, supporting her during this tough patch of life, hiring a nanny for the baby, coming to work, joining healthy activities to channel the inner frustration, socializing with people he is intimate with, realizing, and meditating etc. The therapy sessions will make him realize his inner potential and the various options which he could avail in order to overcome this situation and avoid it further in the future. References Barnes, H. (1995). Humanistic existentialism: The literature of Possibility, University of Nebraska Press British Association for the Person Centered Approach. (2011) What is the person-centered approach? Retrieved from Bugental , J. (1978). Psychotherapy and process: The fundamentals of an existential-humanistic approach . (1st ed., pp. 38-59). Longman Higher Education. Cockett, L., & Randall, B. (2006). 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