Learned Theories in the Thoughts on Counseling - Research Paper Example

? Learned Theories and My Thoughts on Counseling Counseling sessions have been playing an important role in improving the behavioral traits and positive thinking process among individuals in order to assist them to lead a prosperous life. In this essay, I wish to convey my perceptions regarding counseling and also assess my qualities to deliver the service in the betterment of my clients and the overall community on the whole. In this respect, a theoretical overview of the counseling services and advantages is needed as well as the techniques I believe to be helpful in my practices. Following the theoretical explanations, I have also drawn some inferences with regards to my professional qualities as a counselor, addressing both limitations and strengths that would affect my effectiveness when delivering the service. A major advantage of the essay is its ability to develop a more insightful understanding of the challenges and the responsibilities that a counselor owes in comparison to my professional qualities. Introduction In context of delivering counseling services, the major roles of the engaged professionals comprise meeting the requirements of clients with due regards to confidentiality, mitigating their issues with utmost priority and care as well as developing their personality so that they are able to execute their tasks and activities in the most successful manner. In this profession, personal values are recognized to be the most important factor, which holds the counselor accountable for the client as well as the community on the whole. There are various values and theories, which are to be acquired by counselors so that they are able to mitigate their individual issues and meet their expectations with efficiency. Subsequently, counselors, with their expertise and practices, should aim to motivate individuals, rendering a better definition of their life as well as to improve their future objectives for better growth and development. The counselors are also required to develop healthy relationship with their clients so that their issues are identified with adequate accuracy, and accordingly, appropriate measures as well as strategies can be adopted with the intention of assisting them to develop psychologically with improved future prospects (Canning, 2011). A definition of counseling and the most essential characteristics of a helping relationship Counseling is recognized as a learning-orientation process. It is owing to this particular feature that counselors should possess adequate knowledge as well as competencies in order to nurture and facilitate social and communal development of an individual along with assuring societal progress with diverse cultures and ethnicities at large. It is a process of assisting clients to identify their role commitments and to provide suggestions for the best procedures in accordance with which, the clients can obtain their desired commitments appropriately (Biggs, 2000). Counseling can also be defined as a profession on the basis of which, quality as well as ethical services are offered to individuals through teaching, executing research and offering remedial measures. It is worth mentioning in this regard that an approach of a counselor is usually based on personal values as well as belief systems. These professionals are often observed in unique positions with the objective of developing the society as well as assisting the clients in decision making. Correspondingly, a counselor should be aware of three elements, which include thinking, behavior and feelings as accountable for the thought process of individuals (Mintz, Jackson, Neville, Illfelder-Kaye, Winterowd & Loewy, 2009). Stressing on the fact that psychological counselors should possess requisite personal values as well as characteristics, the reason behind possessing such a quality can be identified as the sole intention of counselors to build a healthy relationship with clients. A healthy relationship with clients will consequently make individuals more comfortable to share their problems based on which, counselors will be able to offer better therapeutic services for meeting the client’s requirements. As a matter of fact, clients acquire counseling services with the intention of mitigating issues, but there are certain issues, which are either unknown to clients or even if they know the issue, they are unable to understand the various reasons accountable for such issues. Hence, assistances from external parties are required (Huffman, 2012). Owing to such vital responsibilities, counselors should offer genuine services and feedbacks to clients without biasness. Thus, counselors should understand the current needs and situations of clients prior to implement an approach maintaining a healthy relationship with the client (Biber, Hupfeld & Meier, 2008). A detailed explanation of the key elements that must be covered in the first session with a new client and why they must be covered There are certain aspects and responsibilities, which are to be considered by a counseling psychologist, in order to improve the effectiveness of the counseling services as well as the entire process. In this respect, the first sessions of the counseling process must aim to develop an effective association with the new client in order to facilitate a friendly and healthy relationship between the counselor and the client, which will further be needed to determine the issues and acquire an in-depth understanding of the various factors accountable for the client’s problems. Respectively, at the initial stage of the first session, casual or semi-formal interview of the client with the counselor must be organized. This first interview can prove quite beneficial for the counselor in obtaining an adequate knowledge in relation to the history and background of the client. The interview can preferably be conducted with new client based on a questionnaire, which will assist the counselor in obtaining adequate information regarding the psychological characteristics of the client. Additionally, by conducting an informal conversation with the client, the counselor shall also be able to obtain adequate knowledge and information about the current situation and symptoms faced by client. Accordingly, on the basis of problems identified, in the following sessions, the counselor is quite likely to enhance his/her ability to devise strategies as well as plans to be implemented in assistance of the client (Boyd, 1993). The theory or theories of counseling which I will seek to learn more about and use in my own practice There are various theories as well as practices which are adopted in counseling services in order to meet and mitigate the issues of individuals or clients in accordance with their requirements. As per my belief, all these counseling theories are valid and reliable. Correspondingly, the counseling theories, which I intend to utilize, are as follows. Adlerian Life Style Assessment The life style assessment will assist me in determining the various factors, which are accountable for influencing any individual during their childhood development as I know from my experiences and learning that majority of the psychological problems faced by the clients (especially teenage clients) are linked with their childhood cognitions. In accordance with the theory, there are five important elements, i.e. health, attitudes of parents, social as well as economical position of a family, roles of genders and family constellation, which need to be studied. I will acquire this theory with the intention of recognizing three important aspects including thinking, acting and feeling responsible for the development of characteristics as well as attitudes of individuals for life. There are five attitudes, which are identified as subordinates for the development of a positive or negative attitude within an individual. This includes attitude towards difficulties, self, others, different or same gender and life. This theory is based on the assumption that behavioral traits as well as emotions are outcomes of beliefs and thinking process that an individual pursues in his/her life. In this context, this theory signifies that individuals are accountable for the development of their personal attitudes (Korth, 2006). Reality therapy worksheet and WDEP (Wants, Doing, Evaluation and Plan) I believe that individuals are accountable for their belief and thought process. Individuals can therefore be deemed to be responsible for their situation based on their belief as well as thinking process. Hence, in order to assist individuals to obtain a better control over their lives, I would like to use a WDEP (Wants, Doing, Evaluation and Plan) system in my practice. The reality therapy worksheet has been acquired with the aim of evaluating the current needs of individuals for their satisfaction. Moreover, WDEP will assist me in determining the real objective of individuals so that I can deliver them with enhanced satisfaction based on effective strategies and planning, so that their needs as well as requirements can be accomplished effectively (Korth, 2006). Cognitive Behavior Therapy The cognitive behavior therapy will assist me in aiding individuals to manage various benefits as well as obstacles when facing any kind of change in their life. I believe that in most cases, the problems faced by clients are caused by their reluctance to change, provoked by their personal beliefs, perceptions and desires. This therapy shall therefore assist me in making my clients believe that individuals should adopt changes for their better progress and success in future (Day & Casey, 2009). At least two techniques from this course and an explanation of how and for what type of client issues I will use them for in treatment The two theories, i.e. Person-centered therapy and cognitive behavior therapy, will be used by me in order to assist my clients, who are a group of students of high school. With the assistance of these two theories, I will be able to offer better counseling services to a diverse group of students for their better social development and future growth as well. The two theories are described in detail as follows. Person-centered therapy Carl Rogers, in accordance with the person-centered therapy, stated that people are capable of understanding themselves as well as acquiring appropriate steps and measures with the intention of mitigating their respective issues. Carl Rogers believed that in counseling or therapeutic processes, the client-therapist relationship of improved quality should be developed in order to obtain the desired outcomes. I wish to apply this theory when serving students from high school. Accordingly, the students will be able to acquire an enhanced understanding of their behavioral traits as well as feelings. I would also act as an empathetic counselor in order to understand the perspective of students. In this context, as a counselor I will accept, care, and also be non-judgmental and genuine in approach with aim of aiding students to have a meaningful as well as fulfilled life. My main objective as a counselor on the basis of this theory will be to assist students to have an improved understanding of their life and in the process of decision making, so that they are able to manage their issues with their respective thought processes, competencies and knowledge (Gatongi, 2007). Cognitive behavior therapy In accordance with the theory of Cognitive behavior therapy, Albert Ellis states that individuals are accountable towards the development of their psychological issues on the basis of which, they interpret certain specific situations as well as events. Emotions as well as behavior significantly affect their relationship in relation to cause and effect. In this context, Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) mainly emphasizes on the aspects of goals, objectives, meaning and values of individuals. Emotions of individuals are mainly acquired from their beliefs, reactions and evaluation of situations. Furthermore, individuals are often observed to possess irrational beliefs from others in daily lives. In this respect, with the assistance of REBT, I will be able to influence students about the important aspect of positive thinking and self-acceptance (Curwen, Palmer & Ruddle, 2000). Client populations I do not believe that I would be able to work with and why The theories as well as practices, which I have stated above to be adopted, will not be effective for criminals or legal offenders as criminals are required to be offered with other effective psychological theories. Moreover, psychological therapies for individuals will require an in-depth analysis of various factors, which are accountable for their offending behavior and nature. Additionally, they should be offered with adequate cognitive therapies for better remedies to restore their social understanding. Furthermore, my counseling services might also be inadequate for students who are under the influence of serious psychological disorder as they are to be assisted with proper medication (Korth, 2006). Client populations I do believe that I would be able to work with and why The counseling services will be offered to diverse group of students of high school comprising different races, cultures and ethnic groups. These diverse groups of students are seemed to be influenced various issues in relation to making friends and developing relationship. Moreover, these students are also observed to be under the pressure of different issues due to their irrational acts and beliefs. In this context, it is important to determine the various factors and reasons, which are accountable for this behavior. Additionally, as a counselor, I will need to identify the differences in the life of these diverse students and accordingly adopt appropriate measures and plans to execute their activities in accordance with their desired goals in a social manner. Furthermore, these therapies will assist me in managing conflicts, anger and violent acts in schools (Brubaker, Puig, Reese & Young, 2010; Watts, 2004). Conclusion Counselor plays an important role in the life of individuals assisting them in understanding various aspects as well as factors, which are necessary for their better growth and development. Moreover, with the assistance of counseling services, the thinking process, belief and behavior of individuals can be improved so that they are able to think positively. On the basis of the above discussions, it can be comprehended that as a counselor, to assist high school students and enhance their cognitive thinking process, I should offer them with two most important therapies including person-centered therapy and cognitive behavior therapy. As a counselor, with the assistance of these therapies, I believe to be able to assist students in determining their cognitive misconceptions individually and guiding them in their process of decision making so that they are able to have a prosperous life. References Biber, P., Hupfeld, J., & Meier, L. L. (2008). Personal values and relational models. European Journal of Personality 22, pp. 609-628. Biggs, D. A. (2000). Dictionary of counseling. United States of America: IAP. Boyd, J. A. (1993). A business advisor’s guide to counseling theories. The Journal of the Association of Small Business Development Centers 11(1), pp. 50-61. Brubaker, M. D., Puig, A., Reese, R. F., & Young, J. (2010). Integrating social justice into counseling theories pedagogy: a case example. Counselor Education & Supervision 50, pp. 88-102. Canning, S. S. (2011). Core assumptions and values in community psychology: a Christian reflection. Journal of Psychology and Theology 39(3), pp. 186-199. Curwen, B., Palmer, S., & Ruddle, P. (2000). Brief cognitive behavior therapy. Great Britain: SAGE. Day, A. & Casey, S. (2009). Values in forensic and correctional psychology. Aggression and Violent Behavior 14, pp. 232-238. Gatongi, F. (2007). Person-centered approach in schools: Is it the answer to disruptive behavior in our classrooms? Counseling psychology Quarterly 20(2), pp. 205-211. Huffman, W. E. (2012). Kahneman’s psychology of value: the sixth T.W. Schultz lecture. American Journal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics 94(2), pp. 285-290 Korth, M. A. (2006). My counseling theory paper. EPS 601 Theories of Counseling, pp. 2-13. Mintz, L. B., Jackson, A. P., Neville, H. A., Illfelder-Kaye, J., Winterowd, C. L., & Loewy, M. I. (2009). The need for a counseling psychology model training values statement addressing diversity. The Counseling Psychologist 37(5), pp. 644-675. Watts, R. J. (2004). Integrating social justice and psychology. The Counseling Psychology 32(6), pp. 855-865. Read More