Archive for the 'Theories of Counseling' Category

Comparing Freud and Jung

Webmaster May 2nd, 2009

While some of his theories not correct, Freud paved the way for today’s counselors.   His views still have much influence in contemporary practices throughout the world.  Jung, Erikson, to name a couple, used Freud’s basic theories as model for their theories, and formed their more contemporary theories. 

While Freud was correct to a point in his theory that the human race is deterministic and instinctual, Libido isn’t the source of motivation.  As children of God, the goal of life is not strictly pleasure seeking and striving to avoid pain.  Jesus reminded us that like Him, we would also be persecuted for our faith (John 15:20). Jesus, also, likened the Christian walk to a gate, strait and narrow and that few would find it (Matthew 7:14). Therefore, Freud was incorrect in this part of his theory. 

If Freud is correct in his postulate of death instincts, we as a human race would have become extinct instead of the dinosaurs.  Murder is cited as evil a number of times in the Bible, including the Ten Commandments.  While there are some in this world who commit murder, the majority of humans are sickened at the thought of murdering another person.

Freud’s id, superego, and ego do accurately describe our basic body, mind and soul.  Corey describes the id as being the “spoiled brat of personality” and as an infant (Corey, pg. 61, 62).  The id can also be compared with our base physical instincts.  When we allow our physical body to control our actions, we are reduced to basic animal behavior.  Left to its own desires, our physical body would resort to seeking pleasure and avoiding pain at any and all costs, no matter who was hurt in the process.  The ego is our mind.  It gives us the ability to think logically, make decisions, and formulate plans of action for our daily life and needs (Corey, pg 62).  The superego goes hand in hand with our soul.  Instead of associating the superego with a judicial branch, it should be likened to our soul communing with God.  The Holy Spirit is given to us to guide our souls and act as conscience.  Freud simply gave his own tags to the human mind, body and spirit. 

I believe as a counselor, I will integrate parts of Freud’s theories into my practice but for the most part, I feel that people are not as base as Freud believed.  His theory is like any other tool of the trade; it should be respected and used in an appropriate circumstance. 

Jung’s theory, in relation to the spiritual realm, comes a little closer to my own beliefs.  I don’t believe that all dreams are messages from the subconscious, sometimes it is the Italian sausage they ate for dinner.  However, people are also developing, growing and moving to the next level of development (Corey, pg. 79).  Our past does shape us to an extent but with God’s help and forgiveness, past events can become a shadowy memory.  People are capable of overcoming their past.  Jung’s work with dreams would probably be looked at skeptically today, but our subconscious has to come out in some form.  Dreams are discussed in the Bible and Joseph interpreted even the king’s dreams accurately. 

Jung’s anima, animus, shadow, and persona do ring of Freud’s id, ego and superego; however, they also sing of the mind, body and spirit.  Anima and Animus simply reflect the maleness and femaleness in each of us.  Each of us has masculine and feminine parts in us.  Without some of both, we would never connect with the other gender at all.  A father would never cradle his baby in his arms without some femininity; a mother would never play catch with her son without a little masculinity in her core. 

The shadow as the dark side is simply the human depravity in each of us.  We all have a “dark” side.  If we didn’t, we wouldn’t sin.  All have come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

All humans have a persona.  This mask or public face is the wall we put around ourselves when we have to encounter new people or situations.  Personally, I know that when I’m in a public situation, a stranger would never know that I’m a basically shy person.  I put on my persona, which is a strong, self-confident “never let ‘em see you cry” face.  I can carry that persona off for hours if I have to, only to collapse in a heap when I get back to the privacy and security of my home.

Popularity: 91% [?]

Is Motivational Interviewing an Approache to be Used with Clients?

Webmaster April 30th, 2009

Motivational interviewing is a technique I believe would be useful with some clients.  According to Rollnick and Miller it is useful with clients who are exhibiting ambivalence.  That is, they are indecisive in determining their behavior choices, or unwilling to examine them.  This style of counseling directs the conversations with the client to help uncover reasons to embrace behaviors or avoid behaviors.  This technique could be useful with those suffering from addiction and even abusers, because motivational interviewing “relies upon identifying and mobilizing the client’s intrinsic values and goals to stimulate behavior change” (Rollnick & Miller, 1995). The counselor is helping the client pull information from their life to explain their behaviors from a personal perspective rather than explaining it to them and suggesting change from a clinical perspective alone.  Jenkins explains this difference well when comparing collaboration versus confrontation, evocation versus education, and autonomy versus authority (Jenkins, 2003).  The Four Guiding Principles Jenkins provides were very enlightening and his through explanations of how to talk with ambivalent clients really opened my eyes in some respects.

 It does seem like a very pain-staking process when you read all of the data, but very sound and intelligent.  I really don’t see it as useful with children as the client needs to understand intrinsic thoughts and values in order to benefit.  I think it always important for a counselor to not present themselves in a condescending manner to their clients and use whatever technique what be most useful for each individual’s situation. 

References

Rollnick S., & Miller, W.R. (1995).  What is motivational interviewing?  Behavioral and Cognitive Psychotherapy, 23, 325-334. Retrieved April 7, 2009 from http://motivationalinterview.org/clinical/whatismi.html.

Jenkins, David, (2003). Working with addictive disorders: a motivational interviewing perspective. Paper presented at the 2003 AACC World Conference, Nashville, TN.

Popularity: 92% [?]

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Making the Case for Premarital Education

Webmaster April 30th, 2009

I am a firm believer in premarital education. Being better prepared for any venture, will to some degree, make for a more successful outcome. In many cases, divorce has been prevalent among families throughout the second and third generations; therefore young people may need a greater understanding of what a healthy marriage should look like. Hollywood’s romanticized portrayal of marriage may cause young couples to have an unrealistic view of what marriage requires. Marriage scholars have cited evidence that the decision to marry has been trivialized in our culture (Stanley, 2001). 

Individuals that understand their personality type will gain greater insight into their behavior. Family structure and values, religious views, outlook on children, and moral issues are all areas that can cause discord, if not discussed and evaluated in premarital counseling. Instructions on how to prepare a budget, being a good steward, and management of family finances are all relevant issues, as money problems are often listed as the number one reason for marital difficulties. Skills such as conflict resolution, and positive communication styles can be effective tools during marital discord. The important, but not always addressed differences between male and female characteristics might circumvent a huge amount of marital crisis, if properly understood. Stanley (2001) notes, that if premarital education is done correctly, it will facilitate the understanding that a successful marriage is not a matter left to fate, but decisions and actions by the couple will affect the marriage’s outcome, with long-term results.

Reference

Stanley, S.M. (2001). Making a case for premarital education. Family Relations, 50,   
                 272-280. [Electronic Version].

Popularity: 87% [?]

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Master Therapist Construction of the Therapy Relationship

Webmaster April 1st, 2009

A master therapist according to Sullivan (2005), is one that exhibited the following criteria: the person is considered to be the “best of the best” when referring a close family member or friend, and this person has superior skills as a psychotherapist. As Sullivan (2005) states “a therapist’s therapist.”

Under the safe relationship domain, a master therapist exhibits a heightened sense of responding, collaboration, and joining. This equates to Carl Rogers three criteria of genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathic understanding. In my opinion, empathy is a gift that is given to certain people by God through the Holy Spirit. However, not all therapists are given the gift of empathy.  The gift must be earned.

Using self, engaging, and objectivity are characteristics of the challenging relationship domain. Since most clients use their therapists as a model for changing their behavior, master therapists know this by using themselves as an example in being an agent of change. Sullivan talks about engaging by intensely engaging the client in the relationship. Gladding (2004) uses the term confrontation which also means challenging the client to examine, modify, or control an aspect of behavior.

Based on the information presented by Sullivan (2005), in order form me to become a master therapist, I would need to adhere to four principles in my own life. First, I would need to become dedicated and committed the lives of the people that I will be helping. Second, I would need to demonstrate a mastery of psychotherapy skills and knowledge. Third, I would need to make significant contributions to the advancement of the specialty that I would be specializing in, which would be substance abuse and addictive behaviors. Fourth, I need to become dedicated to delivering high quality work and adhere to the highest ethical standards. Not just to my profession, but to God as I answer to a higher power.

References

Sullivan, M., Skovholt, T., & Jennings, L. (2005, January). Master Therapists’ Construction of the Therapy Relationship. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 27(1), 48-70. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from Academic Search Complete database.
Gladding, S. T. (2004). Counseling: A Comprehensive Profession. Pearson: Columbus, Ohio.

Popularity: 83% [?]

The Five Moral Principles of the ACA

Webmaster March 25th, 2009

There are many similarities between the 5 moral principles mentioned in the ACA and the seven virtues in Clinton and Ohlschlager. One main similarity between the two is the universal principle of trustworthiness.

Autonomy is the principle that addresses the concept of independence. It means allowing an individual the freedom of choice and action.

Nonmaleficence is the concept of not causing harm to others which is similar to one of Clinton and Ohlschlager seven virtues, responsibility to love one another. This concept means love others the same way that Christ loves each and every one of us. It implies always having the client’s best interest at heart (Clinton and Ohlschlager, 2002, pg. 248).

Beneficence implies to have a servant mindset. We exist to serve others by placing their needs before our own needs.

The principle justice is that we are all created equally in the eyes of God regardless of race, creed, sex, sexual orientation. As counselors, we have a duty to treat all clients equally with regard to these universal characteristics. Clinton and Ohlschlager state that we should never show favoritism. However, since each client comes to a counselor with a unique problem, a counselor will treat each client differently with regards to the intervention or treatment plan.

Fidelity involves the notions of loyalty, faithfulness, and honoring commitments. Counselors and clients must be able to trust each other and have faith in their relationship. The counselor has the moral obligation to stick with the client through the tough times, no matter how difficult the client may be or how severe the client’s problem is. The counselor is held accountable for the telling the client the truth. For example, the counselor can tell the client that he has the legal obligation to alert authorities in instances of abuse. If the client knows this from the outset, the client can have trust the client to very personal information discussed during the counseling session. This is the same as the concept of doctor-patient confidentiality.

References

Clinton, T., & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian counseling. Colorado Springs, CO: WaterBrook Press.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Is Biblical Counseling Better Than Traditional Counseling?

Webmaster February 11th, 2009

The focus of counseling is to help a person reach their maximum potential, and to become fully functioning as a person. Using the Bible cab be a source of unique insight for optimum mental health. Ask yourself this question, what can we learn from the Bible about mental health. It is full of stories and accounts that a therapist can use as examples for assisting a client to change their ways. The therapist can help the client use these insights gained from scripture into everyday behavior. Many people, including myself, have used the Bible as a way of shaping my life both in business and personal life. Improving our knowledge and renewing our faith in God, can only strengthen us individuals.

One of the fundamental differences between Biblical counseling and traditional counseling, is the premise that man and woman was created by God. “In the beginning, God created heaven and earth” (Genesis 1:1). God then proceeded to create all living things. God was also responsible for wiping out entire civilizations as in the story of Noah’s ark where God saw society was becoming corrupt. We can point out to present day events such as in 2005 whenGod created Hurricane Katrina to wipe out New Orleans because he saw that society was corrupt. We can apply stories from scripture to real life to help us in changing our ways and renewing our faith in God.

There are many stories in the Bible that can be used as examples in a counseling session for both Christians and non-christians. Some biblical stories include: Noah’s ark, Hosea’s wife and children, just to name a few. The story of Noah’s ark can be related in counseling to Hurricane Katrina as a way for God to wipe out the corruption and to send a message to change. The Bible can help the therapist point out such stories that are pertinent to treating a particular individual.

Popularity: 26% [?]

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