Conclusion

Conclusion Summary:

When clients come to counseling, they are often unaware of what their exact problem is. They do not have a perfect theoretical explanation for whatever is wrong within their lives. The job of the counselor is to help them think more critically about this process. The main idea for counselors to follow a theory in which they believe in order to better help their clients with it. It is better to place faith within one of the more heavily researched models rather than something more ambiguous. 

How it applies:

The conclusion of this book made me think a lot of my own helping process with my students. When a student comes into my office seeking help, I do not make judgments or calls on what is wrong or what is going on before talking with them. At the same time, it is not right for a counselor to believe one theory will work on all clients. Furthermore, there’s no way to tell which theory will work best without first discussing the problem thoroughly with their client. Whether it be helping a student or counseling a client, there is a lot to be gained from having a thorough, unbiased conversation with an individual.

Mindfulness Approach

Chapter 16 Summary:

The mindfulness approach is divided into two different therapy styles: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Both are rooted within cognitive behavioral therapy. Steven Hayes is the originator of ACT. There are six specific processes in ACT, which define human functioning: acceptance, being present, cognitive defusion, self as perspective, values, and committed action. There is a heavy focus in ACT on inflexible thinking as the cause of psychological dysfunction. DBT was conceived by Marsha Linehan and it was meant for very specific psychological problems. Its main focus is for those with borderline personality disorder but also those who display parasuicidal behavior. DBT is broken in to two separate categories of primary and secondary targets. Primary targets are hazardous behaviors such suicide or self-harm. Secondary targets are life skills such as problem solving, emotional regulation, and self-validation. DBT typically involves reviewing these categories and addressing the primary targets first.

 How it applies:

Working in residence life I have encountered various mental health problems that I have had to address with students. I have not encountered a student with borderline personality disorder, but I do know of professionals who have and it is a real possibility. While I do not think I will ever be completely certified to aid someone with borderline personality, knowing that things can be placed in two categories is helpful to know. I also found some of the processes of ACT to be applicable, specifically the first one of acceptance. Students are often struggling because no one accepts them as they are and being someone who does accept them goes a long way.

Narrative Therapy

Chapter 15 Summary:

Narrative therapists have a heavy focus on the stories we create within our lives. Clients will seek out this type of therapy because the stories do not line up with their hopes and expectations of their lives. There is also a heavy cultural awareness with this style as the therapist is very aware of the issues of social justice and power. Questioning is a key part of the style as it helps to separate the person from the problem. Michael White and David Epston are the two most commonly known individuals associated with Narrative Therapy. 

How it applies: 

I feel like I have noticed narrative therapy without realizing what it actually was. Students often come to college and then to my office talking about what all their hopes and expectations were of college. More than likely, their reality of college is not what they hoped for. As a result, I have to help them work through what their reality is. Questioning is something I find helpful as it helps present things in a different light to them in way in which they realize for themselves rather than me telling them directly.

Video:

Narrative Session with Dr. Madigan and David about Taunting

In this video, the young boy David is struggling with taunting problems. The therapist, Dr. Madigan, makes an interesting suggestion of each of them writing letters or emails. The unique though is that is he says they are not letter but stories. David can keep these stories and can go back and read them whenever he is struggling with the taunting issue.

Solution Focused Therapy

Chapter 14 Summary:

Solution focused theory is very reminiscent of the name; its emphasis is on the solution to the client’s problem. It seeks to focus on the time when the client is not complaining or making exceptions. The client sets the goals of treatment; it is up to the therapist to help make this solvable and attainable to the client. Solution focused therapy is heavily rooted within the workings of Milton Erickson. However, there is a variant in the workings of Steve De Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg. Bill O’Hanlon’s research is also attributable. 

How it applies: 

I can see how this theory relates to a lot of the problems I deal with working within residence life.  Students often get stressed out and need to vent about the problems in their lives. However we try to keep them focused on things they can do fix what’s wrong in their life. In addition to this, we do a lot of training within my job about working towards a specific goal. This training overlaps as we help keep students and staff focused on a solution. 

Video:

Solution Focused session with Dr. Berg and Robyn using the scaling technique

The therapist in this video clearly making use of the scaling technique but does so in a unique manner. Dr. Berg asks Robyn to rate herself and where she thinks her husband would rate her. It is also helpful because Robyn does not rate herself at 10 nor does she think her husband rates her at a 10. She rates herself higher than her husband would which helps put things in perspective for both Dr. Berg and Robyn as to where she is at with her problem.

Family Systems Therapy

Chapter 13 Summary:

Family systems theory places a heavy emphasis on different systems, specifically the family system and the various relationships it is composed of. It does not view psychological problems as stemming from a specific individual, but rather a result of repetitive patterns within the family. Viriginia Satir and Murray Bowen played key roles in this theory with their own unique approach. Satir had a heavier focus on the individual’s self-esteem and the communication patterns within the family. Bowen’s theory focuses more on the origin of family issues. Bowen’s theory emphasizes breaking away from family origin issues before dealing with current relationship difficulties. The Family systems theory has often been criticized as it upholds middle-class, Caucasian values and it not very applicable across cultures.

Area of interest:

I find some usefulness within this theory in my field as a graduate hall director. A lot of students come to college struggling with issues with their family, both in the past and present. I believe a good mix should come from both Satir and Bowen. As a GHD, I have emphasized to my students to communicate with their parents on how they’re feeling. However, I do believe it can some times be helpful to break away from their past problems before focusing on new ones.

Family Session: Judy, Pam, and Adrian

This video made me think a lot of Satir’s approach. The therapist was focusing on the different words and the ways the mother Judy was communicating with Pam. He was telling her how if she wanted to say something about Pam’s blouse she should ask her first before saying it. He mentioned this because Pam got mad whenever Judy made comments about her. This focus on the communication would help both Pam and Judy in the end.

Feminist Therapy

Chapter 12 Summary:

Feminist Therapy is not necessarily a therapy as much as it is a philosophical approach. There is no specific individual who created feminist therapy. Rather, it was created due to the frustration with traditional psychotherapy. FT focuses on the empowerment of the client. It recognizes the societal pressures that women so commonly struggle with.

  How it applies:

FT made me think a lot about my training I have had about equality for my GA. There is a higher rate of females on campus than there are males but I often find females in my office more than males. There is a trend in the struggles they tell me about, as it often has to deal with difficulties with men or peer pressures they feel from men. I focus on trying to empower these young girls. I help them to realize there is more to college than the party scene.

 Video:

 Individual: Reframing Perception Video

                

The client in this video was discussing how she has struggle with her mother. The client mentioned how she has difficulties with the word no with her mother and children. The client said she not like how she feels when both her mother and children say no. The therapist asked why and the client had some difficulty. She believed it was because she is used to hearing her mother say do as your told. This is a result of mothers having an impact on their kids and their development and continuing on to grandchildren in some cases.

Reallity Therapy

Chapter 11 Summary:

                 Reality Therapy has a heavy focus on the motivation of people meeting their needs. Some of these needs include: survival, belonging, having fun, freedom, and love. Love is the most important need to be met within the theory as it includes a sense of belonging. RT looks to solve problems work towards building a healthier future. It was created by William Glasser, due to the fact that he disliked the traditional psychoanalytic theory.

How it applies:

                 I believe Reality Therapy focuses on the central idea that most college students are seeking, a sense of belonging and being happy. Many students that I speak with struggle with finding happiness when they get to college. They also struggle with feelings of love and wanting to belong, this is sometimes due to issues they face at home. One of the things I try to do with my students is help them work towards a healthier future both at college and at home. This helps them be more motivated and work through their problems as they’re focusing on working on their happiness.

Video:

Individual: Reframing Perception Video              
 This video highlights the strive that people have for for meeting their basic needs. The therapist asks a key question by asking him what he would like to do with his life. This prompts to talk about how he is a writer and felt very content while he was publishing his cheesy books. He mentions how he would be very happy spending his life as a writer. This is demonstrating how the therapist is focusing the clients thoughts on what will make him happy in life.