Counseling Strategy - Essay Example

? Counseling strategy Table of content …………………………………………………………....3 Introduction………………………………………………………….4 Phase one…………………………………………………………......5 Goal: problem description Chief Aim: listen well Role: Build a rapport Phase two……………………………………………………………..8 Goal: goal description Chief Aim: Collaborate well Role: Build a rapport Assumption: counselee is not the problem Phase three……………………………………………………………10 Goal: Vision clarification Chief Aim: Execute well Role: build a rapport Assumption: Complex problem do not require complex solutions Phase four…………………………………………………………….. 11 Goal: consolidate and support change Chief Aim: connect well Assumption: counselee is always changing Conclusion………………………………………………………………12 References………………………………………………………………14 Counseling strategy Abstract As student counselor belonging to the S type, I will undoubtedly help Bruce concerning his treatment using the approaches given out by Kollar's book. While maintain truth, mercy and the word of God, I intend to help Bruce and his family out of the problem by providing a collaborative and well defined goals to regain his emotional stability as well as his relational issues. Bruce revealed characteristics of a D type in relational style (Kollar, 2011). He therefore likes to take charge and lead. This quality definitely, can demonstrate to be positive through his treatment as he Bruce is in a state of an anxiety disorder which comes about after he lost his wife, Cindy and daughter, Chelsea. He seems like he is willing to better his current conditions. His behavior which he had demonstrated will assist him in his treatment journey as well as his overall therapy. Bruce was in an emotional dilemma after this tragic loss of his wife and daughter at the time his family was already going through a lot in regard to their relationship (Gelso & Fretz, 2001). The ague to revenge was streaming in his mind and he hired a professional lawyer to help him see Justin Suarez, the murderer of his family, get the deserved punishment. Introduction The rationale of the project is to propose a preferred clear solution to neutralize the emotional dilemma of Bruce after he lost his wife, Cindy and his daughter, Chelsea in an accident in 2000. Bruce also had dwindling relationship concerning his family. The act of revenging her family`s death was burning deep inside him that he even hired Justin, a professional lawyer, to help him deal with the murderer. Bruce needed to know that revenge was not the solution to his problem and that the solution was in a short-term strategy offered by this type of counseling. Solution based short term pastoral counseling, BSPC align with the intention of God by using a more collaborative methodology (Kollar, 2011, p. 20-23).  With this the student counselor definitely, will come to know much earlier in his or her process of trying to understand the problem engulfing the life of the care-seeker, that they are not, in any way game-changer. This method is an identification of a means which empowers, in a collaborative, the relocation, That is, a purposeful and collaborative way of making one move from where he or she is to where they are suppose to be through a direction which is well-defined in terms of goal. As opposed to problem-focused methods that need more time, the SBSPC approach manages counseling process more effectively. It`s also time-oriented with an average of 70 minute time span per session (Kollar, 2011, p. 25-28). SBSPC provide a challenge to the student counselors that enable them to reconsider existing paradigms as well as to value each counselee like colleague image-bearer. With this kind of reflection, it often cultivates the most essential interpersonal required skills such as considerate, empathetic and authentic, to blend with a counselee problem minus compromising grace and truth. The moment a problem is understood in a satisfactory manner, goals and solutions will be collaboratively established. A plan to carry out actions is engaged to shift away as well as outdo the problem and move into the future minus the problem. This is suitable and process that doesn`t assume the counselee can move into realization of his goal alone. Immediately the key to his solution is realized, effort is put to identify as well as secure partners so as to support counselee`s forward progress. The approach in this project challenges every student counselor to function under the authority of God`s word and in Holy Spirit`s power and intentionally go after the imitation Jesus Christ and taking others the in the way of faith and imitate their creator in a community lead by accountability (Belkin, 1976, p. 34-38). A solution-centered approach pay more attention to counseling in order to rob the counselee of his attention to the problems instead help the counselee to give more attention to the solution that leads to emotional stability as well as psychological well-being ( Kollar, 1997, p. 30-33). This particular counseling is suitable to Bruce`s case and will undoubtedly enable him to escape from the hard situation he is experiencing. Moreover, he will realize the further needs to educate other young people and drag drivers about safety. This way, Bruce can recover from his problem and much more, it will render inspiration for his fellows who might have gone through a similar ordeal. Moreover, this will help enhance safety among young persons who might be risking their safety and of others while engaging in rashly acts. Phase One Bruce has suffered one of the worst devastating loss and an inevitable upheaval. He had just lost his wife Cindy and his daughter, Chelsea in a grisly accident caused by a Justin Suarez. Due to this tragedy, it has caused an additional strain on his family side that already had weak familial relationships. Bruce was not in good relationship with his son Brody and this one nearly brought them to the point of breaking down. Bruce had hired a professional lawyer in an act of revenge so as to get the murderer of his wife and daughter, Justin Suarez, get punished to the fullest degree according to the law. The information was given out few minutes after bringing his youngest son, Brondy, back from visiting his eldest son. Bruce was evidently concerned for his emotional dilemma and the state of mind his son was in. He requested me if I would be in a position and willing to help him out from his emotional dilemma and I agreed to meet him at 11:00 the next day so that I can listen his issues (Petersen, 2007, p.42-44). The following morning Bruce arrived, with his son Brody, at precisely 10:45, displaying a concerned, almost angry and burning with the urge to revenge. The son`s severely stooped shoulders and sullen expression, and the way in which his arms got stiffly stuffed into his baggy pants showed clearly he was in an ‘attending position’. Therefore, an important deal of this initial session would definitely be geared towards transitioning his son from an ‘attending position’ to being a ‘willing participant’. My goal in this phase will be to develop a rapport with Bruce will attempting to establish the predominant problem he had. Bruce handed me the legal suit form he had downloaded and even filled the previous day and immediately dropped himself in the chair furthest from my own desk. At this point his son had hide to my request to leave me alone with his father, Bruce (Jacobs, 2006, p. 21-26). He was slouched as low as possible in his seat with his arms crossed while looking out through the window besides him. After some initial pleasantries and a prayer, Bruce presented his story to me while a keenly listening with empathy to him. I could see him engulfed inside an emotional dilemma. Without being judgmental, I asked Bruce what I could to help him but his response was an angry look at the roof top of my counseling office and this time even tightly crossing his arms I resorted to bring out my chair from behind the desk where I sat so as not to present an intimidating or authoritative presence. I took the chair closer to Bruce, but ensured I didn`t block him to the corner in order not to cause any further anxiety as well as undue intimidation to Bruce. Despite Bruce`s outward show of resentment and indifference, he still surreptitiously inspected his surroundings. I couldn`t help it. I show how his gaze frequently came back to the keyboard and violin which leaned against the wall of study, While settling in my chair, I asked Bruce if I would occasionally take notes about things which I might need to follow up on as I didn`t want to cause any interruption while he speaks but he was silent. I paused for a few moments to enable him give his response, but again I didn`t want to wait so long in order not to cause uncomfortable silence (Petersen, 2007, p. 50-54). When no response seemed to be coming, I immediately asked if revenge on Justin Suarez was the best thing to do, he just shrugged his shoulders and said “I don`t know”. While this was definitely a positive response from Bruce, it was nevertheless a response. I silently asked God to make this be the beginning of our conversation. I again asked what he meant by saying “I don`t know”. Bruce slowly lifted his head up and asked, “Do you know and realize the pain of losing a wife and a daughter?” I replied him with empathy that I, indeed understood him very well and respected his feeling and that`s why I was listening to him (Petersen, 2007, p. 56-57). He began to say how he feels like revenging the death of his daughter. I looked at the legal form he presented to me and new indeed Bruce was more than ready to take the revenge path though he still looked disturbed in mind as is if he had a divided mind. I told him that the solution to his emotional problem was anchored in forgiveness and that forgiveness is important when conquering bitterness. Once Bruce forgives Justin for his crimes, even if it has brought him a big loss, he will conquer the bitterness he currently have in the heart. By doing this, he will move closer to his creator and even regain his lost relationship with human beings and also with God (Clinton & Hawkins, 2009, p. 33-36). Phase Two The ultimate goal is to see Bruce come out of his predicament; he regains his good relationship with his son Brody and forgives Suarez for murdering his wife and daughter through accident. Furthermore, he needs to realize the needs to teach drag drivers and some young people about safety. The very vital challenge in dealing with Bruce will be his involvement and the progress during the counseling session. Given the current behavioral situation of Bruce, a solution-based approach will be ideal since it`s going to motivate him to move on with life. It will also help him consider his loss but remember his responsibility to inform other people in order for them to be protected from any such harm or the loss which he has experience in his life (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p. 44-46). He should know he is not the problem but the problem is failure to forgive his wrong doers. It would still be essential to maintain his focus on results, not the current problem. Fortunately, this might prove difficult concerning the fact he wants revenge. Bruce and his son come back to me a couple of days as we agreed. It was evident not much had changed in them concerning his situation. Their relationship was still facing the test to stand strong. I now needed to completely identify the issues his son was engaging in concerning him so as to assist him establish a suitable plan of action. Bruce came in purposeful and intense, with his son following closely behind him. The son was still slouched shuffle but this time round his arms did not stiffly went into his pockets (Petersen, 2007, p. 57-59). He put slight smile in his face while I both shook their hands. I saw Bruce and pull out some paperwork from his briefcase and seats in the waiting area. The intention was not to interrupt the session with his son, Brody. As soon as we moved into the study, Brody immediately sat in the same chair as before during the previous session. I had anticipated he will do that, so I had stationed the keyboard besides this chair he had sat on. My chair was already pre-positioned in the very location I talked to his father before. I opened the session in prayer as usual and I asked him how he and his father were fairing on. He shrugged the shoulder while saying, “I suppose things are still the same”. He mentioned that he did talked to his aunt, Melissa but she didn`t look close to him as she was before. I paused to write down the name “Melissa” and asked him if there was any other person he felt close with and could discuss the problem with. He revealed that the only individual he could probably share this with was Josh, his brother who was in college away from him. He had not talk to him for a long time, since Bruce took him out to college. I told him to play the songs I had asked him to write using the keyboard next to him and after he did exactly that I congratulated him applauded him. On scale of 1 to 10 concerning his relationship with the father, Brody rated himself at 4. This was a good progress he was making and I told him to keep up and even continue playing more music. He should also increase his contact with his brother, Josh and Aunt Melissa. It`s worth noting that Bruce was going through emotional dilemma occasioned by his dwindling relationship with his family and now the tragic loss of his daughter and wife. I had to incorporate his son in this counseling. When Bruce comes in for his second counseling session, I asked him to continue spending more time with his son, Brody. I told them to come back after some weeks and closed the session with a prayer asking God to continue healing the family and restore their bonds at this time hard times (Johnson & Johnson, 2000, p. 48-52). Phase Three After two weeks, Brody and his father once gain come in my office. Bruce had remained in the waiting room as usual and Brody, also taking the chair which was closer to my own desk this time round. I resisted a feeling to sit behind my desk so I moved to the chair next to him where I could talk to him without any physical barriers between me and him. After praying to open the session, I asked him how he felt on doing his ‘homework’. He replied me that he did relatively well. He revealed how he phoned and talked to his brother, Josh two times in a week from the time we last met in my Office and that he was now feeling at least better now. They were now in consistent contact with his brother and had been together in prayer. Concerning his aunt Melissa, he again jovially stated that he indeed had succeeded to re-establishing their relationship with her. Moreover, she was now spending time talking to him. Unfortunately, he did not mention the assignment regarding his father, so I asked him how he had faired on that part but he was a little bit disappointed as he had made several attempt to try and approach his father so as to spend time and share what was hurting him but his father could not manager to pay attention to his request simply because of his busy schedules (Johnson & Johnson, 2000). In one of those occasions, he did feel sad that his father was not actually listening to his communication or understood him. As far as them holding a prayer session together, he admitted that he had actually not been able to take himself to pray together with his Bruce; however he had started to pray for him. Again on rated scale of 1 to 10, he felt he was now approaching 6. This was due to the extra support his brother and aunt were giving him. However, he still got some few steps to consider and take if at all he was ever to experience his miracle. As a pastoral counselor I commended him for his good hard work and also for staying committed to working throughout this situation. We also spoke more concerning how he was to continue working with on his music as a tool to express the already pent-up emotions in him, how he truly was starting to feel less invisible, apart from his father. He had regained sense of worth in him. This will definitely allow him start thinking he is after, doing at least something (Kollar, 2011, p. 55-59). Prior to closing the session, I made an effort to encouraged him to consider doing whatever it may takes to capture the attention of his father’s, Bruce as well as talk to him genuinely from his heart. He also received my encouragement to continue in his routine reach-out practice to his aunt, Melissa and brother, Josh. The importance to continue praying for Bruce, his father and always seek to a chance to pray with him was also greatly emphasized. I finally had a quick talk with his father, Bruce were I also encourage him to focus on forgiveness, forgive Suarez his crimes against him and spend more time re-establishing a stronger bond between him and his family besides his new responsibility to create awareness on other people. The session was eventually concluded and another one scheduled after two weeks (Brown & Lent, 2008, p. 57-59). Phase Four This session started pretty well with both Bruce and his son, Brody coming in while actually talking to each other. As usual Bruce took his seat in the waiting room while his son Brody comes in with me. I conducted the Morning Prayer as usual and straightly proceeded to sought how Brody was now doing in his last stages, so I asked him how things had proceeded within the past two weeks and the answer was encouraging to my ears. He said things had gone very much well and that he was now even feeling like he is at 7 on the scale. I could not resist asking him what had actually caused the improvement. Brody revealed that he actually managed to talk and share with his father about what he had been going through and that they actually held a prayer together on one occasion. I also sought to know how he held conversed with Bruce, his father and it actually went on but he revealed that he was indeed not absolutely sure whether his father, Bruce had understood. However, he had lately embarked on spending some little time of his with him (Williamson, 2012, p. 62-64). My interest was again to ask if at all he had kept up with doing his music. He said he was indeed doing his music very well and he even asked me if I mind listening to the new song he did. As his pastoral counselor, I quickly agreed and Brody went on to play me a sweet song which was rather melodious and also calming when you listen. Enthusiastically, I complimented and encouraged him for his tremendous progress (Woolfe, Strawbridge, Douglas & Dryden, 2009, p. 55-56). I finally discussed the details about his aunt, Melissa and brother, Josh with him, I then opened up and told him that I now felt like I actually succeeded in offering the kind of assistant he was lacking in his life. I now asked him if it was right to have his father, Bruce now join our session, and Brody agreed. Soon after Bruce had came in and got seated, I briefed him what me and Brody had discussed about and that I now felt they should make an effort to see a professional family counselor to finalized on the problem they had (Jacobs, 2006, p. 27-30). Bruce said he was willing to take that further step and I offered that I would refer them to my friend, Walden. She is a Professional Counselor with a state licensed. Besides she is a Counselor who is Nationally Certified by the National Board of Certified Counselors. Walden could undoubtedly address some of the remaining issues on family relations. The bitter relationship between Bruce and other as well as God was now destined to change (Clinton & Hawkins, 2009, p. 37-39). Conclusion In conclusion, Bruce was in need of understanding the implication of revenge and to note that revenge was not the solution to his problem and that the solution was in a short-term strategy provided by this kind of counseling: Solution based short term pastoral counseling, BSPC align with the intention of God by using a more collaborative methodology. A solution that is centered on approach devotes more attention to pastoral counseling so as the counselee is robbed of his attention to particular concerns rather than offer help to the counselee in order to pay more attention to the solution leading to emotional stability as well as psychological well-being. The type of counseling discussed in this paper is suitable to Bruce`s case and I believe it will undeniably help him escape from his current difficult situation. This is because this is a purposeful and collaborative way of making one move from where he or she is to where they are suppose to be through a direction which is well-defined in terms of goal. In addition, Bruce will realize the additional need to educate other young people concerning the same. In contrary to problem-focused methods that need more time, this approach will help Bruce to recover from his problem faster and award inspiration to his fellows with the same ordeal. In addition, this counseling will empower Bruce and help him to enhance safety even among other young people risking their safety and of others by engaging in rashly acts. References Belkin, G. S. (1976). Counseling: Directions in theory and practice. Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Pub. Co. Brown, S. D., & Lent, R. W. (2008). Handbook of counseling psychology. Hoboken, N.J: John Wiley. Clinton, T., & Hawkins, R. (2009). The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling Personal and Emotional Issues. Baker Publishing Group. Gelso, C. J., & Fretz, B. R. (2001). Counseling psychology. Fort Worth: Harcourt College Publishers. Jacobs, E. E. (2006). Group counseling: Strategies and skills. Belmont, CA: Thomson/Brooks/Cole. Johnson, W.B. & Johnson, W.L. (2000). The Pastor's Guide to Psychological Disorders and Treatments. London: Taylor & Francis. Kollar, C. A. (1997). Solution-focused pastoral counseling: An effective short-term approach for getting people back on track. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House Petersen, J. (2007). Why don't we listen better?: Communicating & connecting in relationships. Tigard, OR: Petersen Publications. Williamson, R. D. (2012). First steps toward de?tente: American diplomacy in the Berlin crisis, 1958-1963. Lanham, Md: Lexington Books. Woolfe, R., Strawbridge, S., Douglas, B., & Dryden, W. (2009). Handbook of Counselling Psychology. London: Sage Publications. Read More