The Therapeutic Process with Child Counsellor and Beth - Case Study Example

Running Head: WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS Working With Children and Adolescents Name Institution Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 1 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Summary 3 3.0 Main body 4 3.1 The Key Themes in Beth’s Presentation 4 3.2 The therapeutic process the child counsellor would undertake with Beth 5 3.3 Theories that would inform the child counsellor’s assessment of an 11 year old child 6 4.0 Solution to Beth’s Problem 8 9 5.0 The appropriate assessment questions the child counsellor might ask Beth’s parents 9 6.0 Appropriate assessment questions the child counsellor might ask the school guidance counsellor 9 7.0 Process issues that need to be considered if the child counsellor determines that it would be beneficial to engage Beth 9 8.0 Conclusion 10 9.0 Reference 10 1.0 Introduction The report analyses the problems encountered by Beth in her social life, the process of the professional counselling, the findings made and the recommendations made by the child counsellor. The report covers the presentation of Beth case and the subject matters that emerged in it. The therapeutic process the child counsellor would undertake with Beth will also be considered as well as the findings 2.0 Summary This report is based on the life challenges faced by Beth and her encounter with the child counsellor as well as the relationship with the school guidance counsellor. Beth is referred to the child counsellor by the school guidance counsellor with the complications of poor self-concept, low self-esteem and low affect and poor social life. The purposes of the report is to establish the key themes in the presentation of the character, the therapeutic procedures that the counsellor would consider so as to help her as well as the establishment of the assessment questions that the child counsellor would ask the parents and the school guidance counsellor as guidance in the counselling session. This will include the processes and techniques that the counsellor will consider to win the trust of the patient as well as those considered in the implementation of the final recommendations. The report also includes the main findings of the child counsellor and the recommendations to solve the problem of Beth based on the findings made. The process issues should also be considered in case the counsellor concludes that there is a need to permanently engage Beth as a way of solving her complications. 3.0 Main body 3.1 The Key Themes in Beth’s Presentation There are many subject matters that have emerged from the presentation of Beth. Beth is a student who is referred for an assessment to the child counsellor by the school guidance counsellor with the problems of poor self-concept, low self-esteem and low affect and poor social life. The main ideas to be discussed in the presentation is the basis of these complications; the causes of the symptoms, the solutions and the general recommendations. The symptoms displayed by the patients are associated with the emotional problems like depression or lack of self acceptance. Development of these complications might be facilitated by feeling down on one’s self or feeling angry and getting even. The individual develops some doubts or fear of getting things that she wants in life or attracting the kind of people that interests them. The subject of discussion suffers from self doubt thus she is not able to develop or maintain any relationship. These complications might have been caused by too much condemnation or lack of enough positive feedback on the things that she does. The fact that her parents were divorced and too busy on their professions might have caused her loneliness or poor appreciation of her academic achievements because she was an achiever in the school work. She always wished that the parents were together and had enough time for her. Beth failed to interact with the real world of being brought up by a single parent and always blamed herself for the misfortunes in life. Her poor self concept is caused by the loneliness as a result of not having friends or good attachment with the parents (Corey, 2009). Beth is likely to experience some dangers in case the complications she is experiencing worsen. The most common is self sabotage which entails engagement in the actions which can interfere with her academic success and prevent her from achieving her career dream. Having poor self-concept, low self-esteem and low affect would make her pursue herself as a failure hence she losses the morale of trying or working hard. The major reason she is not able to make or maintain any friendship is because she is not sure of her own value, importance and worth thus she prefers being on her own and only working hard to achieve her dreams. The best solution to this problem is changing the attitude towards one’s life and always living on the positive side of life. Reference for assessment to a child counsellor was a good and first step to solve the complications experienced by Beth. The school guidance counsellor had won Beth’s trust thus it was easier to realize her problems and refer her to the relevant individual; child counsellor who had all the skills of handling problems related to children. Finding the basis and the possible solution to the problems experienced by Beth would enable the counsellor handle her problems (Ryckman, 2007). 3.2 The therapeutic process the child counsellor would undertake with Beth There are many therapeutic processes that the counsellor would undertake while handling Beth’s issue based on the causes of complications. The perception therapy is essential because it would enable Beth to change the negative mind or thought that she has for her life. The patient should agree to be open and trust the counsellor for easier recognition of the possible solution to the problems. The child counsellor might have problems solving the complications of Beth because she does not seem to trust her hence unless with the intervention of the school guidance counsellor whom Beth seems to trust she might not fully understand the problem hence not easily come up with the solution (Freud, 2007). Another possible therapeutic process considered by the counsellor would be psychoanalysis. This would help the counsellor to handle the problem of Beth associated with the beliefs or perceptions in human life. The psychoanalytic theory tries to explain behavioural or mental phenomena which do not have sense as the effects of insensible beliefs. These incidences may include life disturbances like the relationships with the friends and family members. Beth is suffering from a social problem of not having a close friend or close relationship with the parents as they were divorced and they were too busy with their professions leaving the child lonely. This forces the young girl to have unconscious wishes and beliefs of not worthy living or interacting with the other children. She assumes all what is done by the other children and has no interests on any one but concentrates only on her academic work (Prochaska & Norcross, 2009). According to Craib (2001), play therapy is another therapy which would be considered by the counsellor to solve the problem of Beth. Apart from encouraging her to work hard in the academic work, Beth should be encouraged to interact and play with the other children. This will also work to relieve her from the depression developed as a result of loneliness and bad experiences in her social life. 3.3 Theories that would inform the child counsellor’s assessment of an 11 year old child There are many theories that the counsellor would consider to assess the complications of Beth. These theories are related with the unconscious elements which affects the mental lives of the individuals. Psychoanalytic theory is one of the theories that the counsellor would consider while handling the problem of Beth because it concerns the casual role of beliefs and wishes of any human life. Beth is disturbed by the fact that her parents are not living together and not very supportive in her academic activities like the other parents deed for their children. She undergoes many traumas which prevents her from enjoying life thus he is heard making negative comments like “I feel like an alien”, “I heat myself” and “no one likes me” Psychotherapy is another theory that the counsellor could use to establish the problems encountered by Beth. Her closeness and lack of trust to anyone in the school apart from the school guidance counsellor prevented people from understanding her problems hence it was difficult to help her. With the help of this theory, the counsellor should encourage the young girl to be open to discuss some of the life aspects and problems so as to help her come up with the possible solutions as well as ways of implementing them (Thompson & Cotlove, 2005). Some of the other theories which the counsellor could consider includes: topographic, structural and ego psychology. Topographic theory argues that the apparatus of mind can be divided into three sub-systems: pre-conscious, conscious and unconscious. With the help of this theory the counsellor can be able to determine the system of the mind of Beth and replace the unconscious system with the conscious aspects. Structural theory was introduced to replace the topographic theory and it divides the psyche into id, ego and super-ego. The id is present at birth and is considered as the unconscious or unorganised system which only operates on principle of pleasure. The ego gradually develops with the realization of some of the realities of the external life thus it bears some sense of the principle of concern. Super ego comes in with the development of self criticism, self observation and other judgemental and reflective faculties (Cox, 2008). Ego psychology enables the ability to control sensitive effects like sexual, oral and some of the destructive impulses. These come along with the shock absorbers to manage difficult and conflictual processes. All the above theories can help the counsellor to establish the problems of Beth. At her age, Beth must have undergone all these changes in mind and the counsellor should take time to study the system of the patient hence easily identify her problem and the possible solutions. The possible problem with the patient is having an unconscious system thus although she operates under the principle of reality, is not able to accept the reality of the matters and learn to adapt the real life. She is disturbed by her family set up and is not able to assume and lead a normal life. The result is low self-esteem and poor self concept leading to a very poor social life (Moore & Fine, 2009). 4.0 Solution to Beth’s Problem The complication of Beth could be well solved by realising their causes and handling them from those bases. The main solution is having the patient develop some positive attitude to the main aspects of her life and learning to live with them. The fact that their parents are not living together and too busy to fully attend to her should not make her feel like she is an outcast in the society. She should be convinced to be open to the others. Low self-esteem is caused by negative attributes from the others in the past hence should be solved by taking opportunity to prove to others that she is capable of achieving something. Beth should be encouraged to put some positive energy to give the world the best as well as winning the interests of the others so as to build friendship. Taking a light-hearted view of herself would enable her develop some self confident and avoid living on criticisms. She should be made to see her mistakes and those of the close family members as opportunities for growth. Learning to trust the counsellor and her close friends would help solve all her problems and loneliness because they would offer opportunities to discuss her problems and come up with solutions. The girl should be fully engaged to prevent her from being idol or lonely and make sure that she has no time to reflect on her failures. 5.0 The appropriate assessment questions the child counsellor might ask Beth’s parents Whether she has history of any mental illness What activities she undertakes after school Does she have a friend? Whether they have some disagreements at home? Has she ever complaint of anything? Have you ever discussed some of these issues with her? 6.0 Appropriate assessment questions the child counsellor might ask the school guidance counsellor What symptoms does she display? What problems does she complain of? When did she start complaining? Have you ever tried to counsel her? What are your recommendations? 7.0 Process issues that need to be considered if the child counsellor determines that it would be beneficial to engage Beth Play therapy is one of the process issues to be considered to engage Beth; this also has an advantage of relieving her from the stress and depression likely to be caused by her experiences. Having her attend regular counselling classes would also engage the young girl as well as enable her overcome her problems. Encouraging the girl to be part of the activities to develop the community like planting trees and watering them would also keep her engaged. 8.0 Conclusion Beth is suffering from a problem associated with depression or other mental disorders which has changed her personalities as well as social behaviour. This is characterised by the strong symptoms that she displays: poor self-concept, low self-esteem and low affect and poor social life. The report above displays the process of counselling that the patient undertook when she was presented to a counsellor, the theories that guided the counsellor and the possible outcome of the process. 9.0 Reference Corey, Gerald (2009). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. Vatican: Cengage Learning, pg 462 Ryckman, Richard. (2007). Theories of Personality. Vatican: Cengage Learning, pg 245 Prochaska, James & Norcross, John (2009). Systems of Psychotherapy: A Transtheoretical Analysis. Vatican: Cengage Learning, pg 2 Thompson Mark & Cotlove, Candace (2005). The therapeutic process: a clinical introduction to psychodynamic psychotherapy. New York: Jason Aronson, pg26 Cox, Murray (2008). Structuring the therapeutic process: compromise with chaos; the therapist's response to the individual and the group. New York: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, pg2 Moore, Burness & Fine, Bernard (2009). Psychoanalysis: The Major Concepts. Emerald: Yale University Press. Craib, Ian (2001). Psychoanalysis: a critical introduction. New York: Wiley-Blackwell. Freud, Sigmund (2007). The Origin and Development of Psychoanalysis. New York: New Vision Publications, LLC Read More

The major reason she is not able to make or maintain any friendship is because she is not sure of her own value, importance and worth thus she prefers being on her own and only working hard to achieve her dreams. The best solution to this problem is changing the attitude towards one’s life and always living on the positive side of life. Reference for assessment to a child counsellor was a good and first step to solve the complications experienced by Beth. The school guidance counsellor had won Beth’s trust thus it was easier to realize her problems and refer her to the relevant individual; child counsellor who had all the skills of handling problems related to children.

Finding the basis and the possible solution to the problems experienced by Beth would enable the counsellor handle her problems (Ryckman, 2007). 3.2 The therapeutic process the child counsellor would undertake with Beth There are many therapeutic processes that the counsellor would undertake while handling Beth’s issue based on the causes of complications. The perception therapy is essential because it would enable Beth to change the negative mind or thought that she has for her life. The patient should agree to be open and trust the counsellor for easier recognition of the possible solution to the problems.

The child counsellor might have problems solving the complications of Beth because she does not seem to trust her hence unless with the intervention of the school guidance counsellor whom Beth seems to trust she might not fully understand the problem hence not easily come up with the solution (Freud, 2007). Another possible therapeutic process considered by the counsellor would be psychoanalysis. This would help the counsellor to handle the problem of Beth associated with the beliefs or perceptions in human life.

The psychoanalytic theory tries to explain behavioural or mental phenomena which do not have sense as the effects of insensible beliefs. These incidences may include life disturbances like the relationships with the friends and family members. Beth is suffering from a social problem of not having a close friend or close relationship with the parents as they were divorced and they were too busy with their professions leaving the child lonely. This forces the young girl to have unconscious wishes and beliefs of not worthy living or interacting with the other children.

She assumes all what is done by the other children and has no interests on any one but concentrates only on her academic work (Prochaska & Norcross, 2009). According to Craib (2001), play therapy is another therapy which would be considered by the counsellor to solve the problem of Beth. Apart from encouraging her to work hard in the academic work, Beth should be encouraged to interact and play with the other children. This will also work to relieve her from the depression developed as a result of loneliness and bad experiences in her social life. 3.3 Theories that would inform the child counsellor’s assessment of an 11 year old child There are many theories that the counsellor would consider to assess the complications of Beth.

These theories are related with the unconscious elements which affects the mental lives of the individuals. Psychoanalytic theory is one of the theories that the counsellor would consider while handling the problem of Beth because it concerns the casual role of beliefs and wishes of any human life. Beth is disturbed by the fact that her parents are not living together and not very supportive in her academic activities like the other parents deed for their children. She undergoes many traumas which prevents her from enjoying life thus he is heard making negative comments like “I feel like an alien”, “I heat myself” and “no one likes me” Psychotherapy is another theory that the counsellor could use to establish the problems encountered by Beth.

Her closeness and lack of trust to anyone in the school apart from the school guidance counsellor prevented people from understanding her problems hence it was difficult to help her.

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