Problem Solving Model and Task-Centred Model - Essay Example

Running Head: Compare and contrast task centered model and crisis centered model. Student name: Student number: Course title: Course code: Date of submission: Introduction This article critically compares and contrasts task centered model and crisis intervention. Discussion is going to base on the structure of the models, theories that each model is based on, the goals of the models and finally, looking at the usefulness and limitation of each model. Task-Centered model is a time-limited, goal-oriented its main purpose is to help people with problems living. It can be effective with individual, couple, family, and group client systems. Sessions one and two are focused on assessment which includes a listing, and prioritizing of the target problems into achievable goals. The goals are then broken into smaller more specific objectives (partializing), and strategies and tasks which could be useful toward goal attainment. While the aim of crisis intervention is to enable a person faced with a crisis to cope with the immediate acute and stressful demands being made by circumstances and to restore normal functioning so that the subject can take up the task of seeking a satisfactory resolution to his own crisis (Newberry, 1993). Crisis intervention theory states that a crisis occurs when a situation arises that pushes a person beyond measure to cope with and that person still continue in a normal life style. A crisis arises because the individual knows no response to deal with a situation (Belkin, 1984). Basis of the theories for the models Task centered model  theoretical base draws heavily from the ego analytic model in which the person’s capacity to function can be built upon by helping him/her use problem-solving skills, and by keeping the person goal-directed and focused. Psychological and external obstacles that interfere with carrying out the intervention plan require additional problem solving tasks for the worker, client and significant others. Task centered model shares many common tenets with crisis theory and intervention.  Peoples’ motivation and capacity to deal with their own life problems are increased by being an active participant in short-term therapeutic process. In crisis model, Crisis intervention theory states that a crisis occurs when a situation arises that pushes a person beyond measure to cope with and that person still continue in a normal life style. Crises are crises because the individual knows no response to deal with a situation (Belkin, 1984) During a crisis it is hard for someone to give an immediate response," Unless the person obtains relief, the crisis has the potential to cause severe affective, behavioral and cognitive malfunctioning” (James & Gilliland 2001). The phases of the model The two models have phases that are used in solving a problem. Task centred has four phases while crisis intervention has two phases. The phases are detailed below. According to Doel (2002) Task Centred Practice is based around four stages or phases and processes: Phase 1: Developing a focus on the problem Phase 2: Reaching Agreement: Goals and Contracts Phase 3: Developing Goals into manageable tasks Phase 4: Ending and reviewing the work While crisis intervention is based on two phases according to Young(1989), the process of being in a crisis can be subdivided into two phases. First, the Impact phase- this is at the beginning of the crisis and its initial impacts to the subject. At this stage the function of the workers is supposed to help the client manage the stated emotions, activation of cope responses and help in restructuring the crisis situation. Secondly, integration phase - this is where accepting and assimilating the implications of the crisis is done. Steps, guidelines and techniques used by the models. Both models have guideline, steps and techniques used in addressing a given problem. According to Roberts’ (2002) Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model gives workers guidelines to follow while dealing with crises. Roberts’ Seven-Stage Crisis Intervention Model: Stage 1: Plan and Conduct a Crisis Assessment (Including Lethality Assessment). Stage 2: Establish Rapport and Rapidly Establish Relationship. Stage 3: Identify Major Problems (Including the ‘‘Last Straw,’’ or Crisis, Precipitants). Stage 4: Deal with Feelings and Emotions (Including Active Listening and Validation). Stage 5: Generate and Explore Alternatives. Stage 6: Develop and Formulate an Action Plan. Stage 7: Follow-up In addition to the above steps crisis intervention has strategies that are used in times of a crisis. The seven crisis intervention strategies which in solving the problem are; Brief strategic family therapy(BSFT) this a strategy used for short term problem-focused therapeutic intervention. The age target is normally children and adolescent group of 6-17 year old. Next strategy is Multidimensional family Therapy- it is a program flexible for a family for substance-abusing adolescents. Trauma-Focused Cignitive Behavioral(TF-CBT) is a psychotherapeutic intervention designed for children , youths and parents for overcoming trauma effects in their life. The Coping with Course (CWS) is a strategy that focuses adolescents who are at risk of depression , demoralized in life. Another strategy is the Cognitive Relaxation Coping Skills(CRCS) it targets heightened cognitive, emotional, and physiological sensations this focuses on the ability for children to control their emotions. Where students are thought methods to relax. The Coping Cat program it is used for recognition-behavioral therapy that help helps children recognize and analyze anxious feeling and set up strategies to deal states or situations that could prove anxiety. Finally, Reality Therapy strategy on the behavior but not on the past experiences. It is based on the responsibility of the client where when they are willing to change. In task centered model it only has guidelines are used in solving a therapeutic Process and there are no specific strategy. The guideline/steps include; identify the target problem/issue to focus upon then Highlight the goal the client wants to work toward;  Classify the type of problem the client is experiencing this step include;  interpersonal conflict-with specific persons who are frequently interacting with each other, dissatisfaction in social relations- general social difficulty that occurs with many persons, role performance problem- e.g. parent, student, worker , problem of social transition- life or role change adjustment problem,  reactive emotional distress- having difficult feelings in reaction to specific event, decision-making problem- specific decision is pressing and client feels stuck &/or overwhelmed, inadequate resources- lack of tangible resources or insufficient environmental supports. The next step is Develop an intervention plan which includes the worker and client's tasks in chronological order. This could involve brainstorming possible intervention strategies/tasks with the client.  Implementation the intervention plan- each week review the client's progress with carrying out his/her tasks and make sure to carry out your (worker) tasks or ensure that other helpers are following through as agreed. If obstacles arise, try to understand and resolve them (see step C above in TIS).  Evaluate the task accomplishments and make sure the client can take credit for his/her achievements. This is empowering and shows them that goals were attained through their efforts.  Re-contract to work on another target problem/goal or terminate. Review accomplishments and remind the client of the new behaviors, skills, resources they obtained that helped in this situation and could be helpful in the future. Some workers suggest anticipating problems that could occur in the immediate future and ways that they could deal with them (anticipatory guidance). Therapeutic Goals The Task centered model goals are directed at problem resolution where identifying the target problem and working with the client to set up goals that are realistic and strategies/activities that enable them to attain these goals, the client is more likely to attain his/her goal and to feel increased self-efficacy. The goals of crisis intervention are reduction in disequilibrium / relief of symptoms of crisis, Restoration of pre - crisis levels of functioning, Identification of other support systems and Initiating new modes of thinking, developing new coping responses beyond immediate crisis situation Usefulness and Limitations of models Task centered model can be useful with any size client system if only their problems can be defined, prioritized and adapted into achievable goals it goals are based on the problem solving while in crisis intervention it can be applied to a person or a group of people with the aim of bringing stability helping a client to be in a state where they can stand on their own to solve other pending issues in life. Task centered model does not stress client strengths although it builds upon the resources of the client and skills while crisis intervention finds client strength an important dimension of the intervention plan. Task centered model is more difficult to effectively apply in situation where clients believe ‘fate’ must be accepted compared to crisis intervention because clients would want to have a solution to a particular situation where themselves cannot give immediate answers/solution. In task centered model it will be also difficult to apply in multiple client systems in which shared and reciprocal goals need to be negotiated. In conclusion the two models are; Both are rooted in a reaction to psychodynamic casework relationships, Both focus on short term, brief interventions and Both are based upon problem solving ideas, and are connected to learning theory References Newberry, P. (1993). Youth outreach: crisis intervention with marginal adolescents. Asian Journal of Counseling, 11(2), 97-105. Goldberg, E. M,, J. and Sinclair, I.(1985) problem, tasks and Outcomes: The Evaluation of Task centred Casework in three Setting, London, Allen and Unwin. 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