Chapter 11 Video Post: "Individual: Helping Client Exert Intentional Control"

 "Individual: Helping Client Exert Intentional Control" Video

Chapter 11- Reality Chapter

In this session, the counselor gives the client a scenario to help them see that they do have control. The counselor's scenario shows that the client is choosing not to do things based on their priorities and they are not taking responsibility. The counselor's approach is very direct and educative. However, the clients approach shows that he is not as willing to take responsibility, which is a possible indicator that the sessions may not be successful. The video does not tell us if this is a first session or 2nd, 3rd, etc... Therefore it is hard to tell if the sessions will be successful/progressive.

While I do view the counselor's approach as very helpful, I still do not see this approach completely helpful in my position in student affairs. I believe there are sometimes external factors which may impede an individual from attaining their goals, hence I still do not view this theory as an approach that I will use.

Chapter 11- Reality Therapy

Chapter 11- Reality Therapy

Reality Therapy was founded by William Glasser. Glasser believes that relationships are an extremely important part of our lives and behaviors. He finds healthy relationships as part of our basic needs. In Reality Therapy the goals of therapy are to help the individual take control of their thoughts and decisions in order to meet their basic needs. The therapy sessions are constructed with the counselor as a teacher and the client as a student. In order for this therapy to be successful the client must take responsibility for their actions and attempt to make changes.

When reviewing this theory and connecting with my career in student affairs, I see this method in both a good and bad view. Like many of the other theories, this method of therapy believes that the client is in control of their thoughts and actions. While I do I agree with this, I can only agree to a certain extent. In higher education, telling a student they do not have friends because they choose not to may not be the best route. Especially, if making friends will cause the client to give up many of their characteristics. While it is important to educate the client/student about their actions and their control, it is also important to help students create relationships and learn to accept differences. Forcing students to change/adapt to the environment is not always the best option, in my opinion. 

Chapter 10 Video Post: "Cognitive Session"

"Cognitive Session" Video

Chapter 10- Cognitive Therapy

In this video, the counselor begins the session by reviewing cognitive therapy and assuring the client understands what they are doing. In reviewing cognitive therapy, the counselor reviews a scenario in which she helps the client understand their goal. The client shows both understanding and agrees that this scenario applies to her, which makes the client acknowledge the need for the session. This clip does a great job at demoing the importance of having understanding from the client and creating a learning environment. The clip also does a great job at illustrating the goal behind the therapeutic process, which is helping the client adapt to the environment and feel comfortable with social interactions.

Chapter 10- Cognitive Therapy

Chapter 10- Cognitive Therapy

Cognitive therapy was founded by Aaron Beck. Cognitive Therapy shares many similarities in REBT, as it helps clients realize certain perceptions and helps them change. Cognitive therapy offers problems solving and coping skills with the counselor deemed as an expert and the client deemed as a student. Each session has multiple layers and focuses on helping the client progress. By focusing on having the client break apart/analyze their perceptions and environment, the counselor helps the client find a way to adapt. The goal behind this theory is to help the client adapt to the environment in order to survive and reproduce.

When looking at cognitive therapy and the goals, I do not see this theory very beneficial in my specified field. I feel that it overlooks other underlying issues, such as cultural beliefs. Therefore, it may cause certain students to feel neglected and uncomfortable. Also, in higher education we strive for accepting and embracing diversity, not trying to have everyone assimilate to culture. Thus, I do not see myself using this theory.

Chapter 9- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Chapter 9- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

Rational Emotive Behavior Technique (REBT) was founded by Albert Ellis. According to Elli,s humans have full control over their behaviors and thoughts despite surrounding issues and past problems. Individuals that typically seek REBT are individuals that are having issues taking ownership and control of their feelings. In REBT the goal is to eliminate irrational behavior and thoughts, in pursuit of a happier self view. This technique is more direct than other theories. The other main goal in REBT is to educate the client about REBT in hopes that it will help them avoid negative thoughts and achieve/adopt a healthier lifestyle.

When examining REBT and reflecting on students, I find this technique helpful once I've created rapport with students. In college, I think it is imperative for students to learn responsibility and self ownership. While there are numerous hurdles students may come across, they must learn to face them and overcome them. Part of the college experience is to be challenged. Therefore, helping student take ownership via REBT may help them be successful in college and their future careers.

Chapter 8 Video Post- "Cognitive-Behavioral Therapeutic Factors"

"Cognitive-Behavioral Therapeutic Factors"

Chapter 8- Behavior Therapy Video

In this video the counselor and the client are still within their first session, so they are assessing behaviors to work on. In this scenario, the client is to trying to get over an ex boyfriend. She expresses trying to do so in past counseling sessions, but having difficulty. Towards the end of the session/clip the counselor reviews behaviors the client would like to address and asks the client what is her plan and what does she intend to do after she leaves. After the client responds she asks the counselor if he has any other suggestions and he says no, her plan is a good start. This clip demonstrates the client/counselor assessment phase in which the counselor is doing as much as he can to learn about the client and establish rapport before making suggestions. At one point they even laugh together, alluding to the beginning of a good counseling relationship.

Chapter 8- Behavior Therapy

Chapter 8- Behavior Therapy

When thinking about therapy techniques, many individuals often refer to behavior therapy. According to chapter eight, there are numerous key individuals and well known therapist for behavior therapy. Some of these individuals are: Pavlov, Wolpe, Watson, Thorndike, Skinner, and Bandura. The purpose of this therapy style is to target change in certain behaviors. The process in which the sessions occur vary based on the targeted technique and the counselor's style. For instance, one counselor may use systematic desensitization while another counselor may use extinction to influence change in a person's reaction to a specific behavior. Throughout sessions, counselors are expected to model good/desired behavior for the clients. As well as, the client is expected to actively participate and learn from the counselor.

When thinking about my desired role in student affairs, I do not see myself using this technique. I would like to focus most of my sessions on helping students overcome issues rather than behaviors. I believe if a student has a habit/behavioral issue, I would refer them to an outside counselor that specializes in this approach. When looking at the college campus, I see this technique most helpful in counseling and student conduct/dean of students. This approach may also be helpful for a wellness coordinator.

Chapter 7 Video Post: "Gestalt Session"

 "Gestalt Session"

Chapter 7- Gestalt Therapy

In this session, the client is very emotional. The counselor does a great job with making the client express her feelings with focusing on the current issues. In having the client speak about her current feelings and her issues, the counselor conceptualizes and share a core issue, that makes the client have an "aha" moment. This clip overall does a good job at showing how to tackle issues head on during counseling while still nurturing an open environment.

Viewing this clips makes me realize that Gestalt Therapy may be best for experienced counselors that can sort out true issues from feelings. I think I will need more experience before I can practice this theory.

Chapter 7- Gestalt Therapy

Chapter 7- Gestalt Therapy

The founding therapist behind Gestalt Therapy is Fritz Perls. While Perl used Freud's model as a basis of gestalt therapy, he replaced sex/libido drive with hunger. In Gestalt Therapy, behavior is found to be driven by a hunger to satisfy a need to connect with others, biological needs and psychological needs. Unlike most of the other theories, it reflects on current issues and tries to resolve them without much reflection on the past. Clients are also expected to take suggestions learned in therapy and try them in their actual life.

When looking at this theory and thinking about my career in student affairs, I think that this method may be helpful in helping students overcome quick/small issues. In my current role, in academic coaching, I meet many students only twice a semester for 30 minutes sessions. Using this method would help attain quick wins and possibly help the student attain short term goals in improving their academic grades. While I may use this method currently, I would like to work in an environment where I help multicultural students acclimate to the college environment through reoccurring sessions. Therefore, when thinking about how this theory does not account much of the past and it is not much of a long term therapy style, I do not think I will use this theory.

Chapter 6 Video Post: "Conceptualizing Conflict"

"Conceptualizing Conflict"

Chapter 6- Existential Therapy

In watching this clip, I observed how the counselor was able to refocus the session on the client and on her present feelings. During the clip the client, began discussing issues with a man named "Sylvester". When the client seemed to want to focus on Sylvester and how their relationship turned wrong, the counselor was able to ask her questions to refocus the session on the client. The counselor also focuses on the client's other session with another counselor and her behaviors. By doing this, the counselor is addressing the core issues head on, instead of letting the client slowly discuss her own issues. This helps the counselor understand that the client knows their is a problem and helps him understand how she feels about the issue.

Chapter 6- Existential Therapy

Existential therapy is grounded on the findings of many therapists. Some of the therapists mentioned in the reading are: Simone de Beauvior, Albert Camus, Martin Heidegger, Soren Kierkegarrd, Fredrich Nietzsche, and Paul Sarte. In reading this chapter, this theory seems very similar to person-centered, in which the therapist does not make any assessment. Many of the founding therapists in this theory believe that the counselor should also not use any techniques, while others believe that the use of techniques are needed. Also, unlike person-centered, the goals of this theory is to help the client unlock their full potential through examination/emphasis on their current history.  

While I see great uses of this theory in counseling, I do not like that it does not regard the past. In many of my contacts with students, their past usually plays an important role in their current issues and frustrations. According to the book, this method is deemed great when working with multicultural clients, but based on my multicultural book this method may not be good. According to my multicultural book and class, many multicultural clients are not willing to openly share information and some beliefs may be based on family views. Hence it is important as a client to be aware of these traditions and not take much of a stand-offish approach, as it may make clients feel uncomfortable. Based on reading this chapter, my experience and my multicultural class I do not see myself using this technique much.

Chapter 5 Video Post "Nonjudgmental Listening Cycle and Goal Setting"

Nonjudgmental Listening Cycle and Goal Setting

Chapter 5- People-Centered Therapy

I choose to view this clip because I feel that Nonjudgmental listening is a skill I need to work on. In viewing this video I was able to connect this clip  to many of my interactions with students and my future career in student affairs. As I watched the video I noticed that the client was nervous and showed some hesitation to share some of her thoughts, however still continued to open up to the counselor, possibly due to the way he communicated. Throughout the clip, the counselor never said anything new to the client, instead he used broad terms that reiterated what the client said. I believe this clip was very helpful in helping me see how to listen without making assumptions or portraying judgmental behavior to my client.

Chapter 5- Person Centered Therapy

Chapter 5- Person Centered Therapy

According to the text, Carl Rogers is the founder of the Person Centered Therapy. In person centered therapy the client knows that they have and issue and subconsciously knows how to fix it, thus the counselor does not diagnose the client. Rogers found that techniques and diagnosing the client impeded their self development, thus he found it useful to not practice any techniques except for showing empathy. In this theory, happiness is seen as a journey rather than a goal. Hence, the client goal is continuous self improvement. Feelings are also deemed extremely important.

In my current role, as a graduate assistant in academic coaching, I have many students that make appointments to work on their academics. During a few of my student interactions, I have found that some of my students know the answers to the questions they ask. However, they are looking for confirmation in their actions. During my first few interactions with these students, I did not realize this and I would try to educated them on different study techniques. Eventually, I realized that they already knew what to do, but were struggling with making decisions between social life. In reading about this theory and reflecting on some of the practices, I realized that I have already began to practice Person Centered Therapy in some of my sessions and it has been helpful, sometimes. 

Chapter 3 Video Post: "Focusing on Past Relationships in Therapy"

"Focusing on Past Relationships in Therapy" Video

In this video, the client and therapist are siting face to face discussing the client's thoughts on fatherhood. During the video the thoughts of the therapist are voiced over the video to help the audience pick up on cues and the therapist's quick analysis of comments made by the client. 

This video seems to demonstrate a relational psychoanalysis approach, in which the environment is constructed to encourage transference. Also, during the video the client mentions having a fear of following in his father's footsteps. The client also slips during the convrsations and uses father instead of another word, demonstrating that the relationship between the client and his father may have harbored unconscious thoughts in the client. Thus, effecting the client's relationship with his unborn child.

Chapter 4 Video Post: "Beginning Diagnostic Assessment"

"Beginning Diagnostic Assessment" Video

Chapter 4- Individual Psychology

In this video, the counselor begins the session by reviewing the information provided by the client, for clarity. Following this initial communication, the counselor focuses on what it is occurring in the client's life and her current feelings. During the clip, the client mentions overcoming a divorce and constant communication with her family. When the client discusses her communication with her family, she mentions an amusement park and seeing herself as the person that likes to go on roller coasters. As the counselor ask few questions for clarification, he ties her current actions with her past role, as the eldest of four. While the client does not seem to have an "aha" moment, she does seem to agree that her role of being the eldest has greatly impacted her. She views herself as the individual that always had to be the responsible one or the person that constantly had to set an example by leading and achieving.

This clip is a great video for demonstrating how the beginning diagnostic should be constructed. It shows the importance of family roles, the incorporation of current thoughts and self views. All of which are important components in Individual Psychology. The clip also demonstrates the importance of getting to know the client first before making any suggestions or large connections.

Chapter 4- Individual Psychology

Chapter 4- Individual Psychology

According to the text, Alfred Adler is the founder of Individual Psychology. While Adler was a follower of Freud, he differed on some of the basis of psychotherapy, such as motivation and the role of parents. Therefore, through trial and research Adler created and developed the basis of Individual Psychology. In individual psychology the goal is to achieve a healthy balance between striving for a better self and nurturing healthy social relationships. A key element behind achieving this balance is courage. According to Adler, courage is an important characteristic in helping individuals move forward.

When reflecting on this theory and my career in student affairs, I see the theory beneficial in numerous roles. In college many students are struggling to maintain both great grades and a good social life. While some students may be able at balancing this, others may not, hence leading them to seek assistance from individuals that they view in a teaching/advising role- counselors and student affairs professionals. Having this model of counseling and core issue will be the perfect basis for Individual Psychology. While reviewing the methods used and the basis of this theory, I think this theory will be easy and most beneficial to use in my future practice.