Unit 4 Discussion 1
Theoretical Approaches and Counseling Techniques
Compare the counseling techniques you observed in the person-centered counseling videos (with the child, Wood), to the counseling techniques you observed in the video that corresponded to the additional chapter you selected in Counseling Children.
Identify the key similarities and differences between the two theoretical approaches in the following areas, using course readings to support your conclusions:
· Typical therapeutic goals for helping children and adolescents.
· Counseling methods and process used by the counselors used in the video sessions.
· Specific techniques used by the counselors, and the client’s response.
· Adaptability of the theory for use with children from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
o APA Style and Format.
[u04d2] Unit 4 Discussion 2
Unit 4 Discussion 2
How Theories Determine Interventions 
Discussion Scenario
For this discussion, first imagine the following scenario.
A father of a 4-year-old boy brings his son to counseling. His son has recently begun biting other children at preschool. As would be expected, this behavior is extremely upsetting to the teachers, the children who have been bitten, and their parents. The director of the preschool has told the father that the problem must be addressed by a professional if the child is to remain in preschool.
The father of the boy wants to get the best help he can, so he arranges an initial session with five counselors who advertise themselves as working from five different theoretical perspectives. He asks them all the same two questions: “Why is my child biting? And how will you make him stop?” He receives the following answers:
Psychodynamic Counselor
· Why: “Your child may have an oral fixation that he has tied to his aggressive impulses.”
· What to do: “When your child’s unconscious motives have been freely expressed and resolved, his behavior and peer interactions will become more age-appropriate.”
Behavioral Counselor
· Why: “It doesn’t matter why; what matters is precisely selecting the behavior you want to change.”
· What to do: “Through observation, we will determine the contingencies that are reinforcing this biting behavior and eliminate them, while simultaneously establishing rewards for desired behaviors.”
Adlerian Counselor
· Why: “It will be important to know what need your son is seeking to satisfy with this behavior—power? Attention? Self-Protection?”
· What to do: “When we find more constructive ways for your son to satisfy his need and encourage his use of these alternate ways, the biting behavior will discontinue.”
Person-Centered Counselor
· Why: “I wonder if your child feels truly seen and understood, and feels prized for who he is.”
· What to do: “When we create a space where your son feels unconditionally accepted, he will work through this on his own and I expect the biting will stop.”
Solution Focused Counselor
· Why: “I don’t know why, but answer this: Are there days when he doesn’t bite?”
· What to do: “Let’s figure out what’s happening on the days he doesn’t bite, and do more of that.”
This whimsical scenario is overly simplified to the point of being humorous. Nevertheless, it underlines the point that the same problem would be understood and addressed differently by counselors working from different orientations. It also makes the point that the answer to what to do is based on the counselor’s answer to why the problem is occurring.
Discussion Instructions
Now it is your turn. Select a common problem behavior that a child or teen might display (such as school refusal, bed-wetting, lying to teachers, sneaking out at night, obsessive fingernail biting, or always losing homework).
· Briefly describe the problem.
· Then, offer responses, from three different counselors who represent three different theoretical perspectives, to the why and the what to do questions.
· Use your textbook to ensure that you design responses that are consistent with the theories on which they are based.
· Offer a rationale, citing your support, for how you see each of your responses as exemplifying each of your chosen theories.
Audiovisual Media
Watch these videos to observe person-centered counseling in action:
· Person-Centered Counseling: Wood Interview, Clip 1: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 6, “Person-Centered Counseling,” and choose Video Activity 1 to get started. Transcript.
· Person-Centered Counseling: Wood Interview, Clip 2: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 6, “Person-Centered Counseling,” and choose Video Activity 2 to get started. Transcript.
In addition, watch the video that corresponds to the additional chapter you chose to read:
· Gestalt Therapy: Jennifer Interview, Clip 1: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 7, “Gestalt Therapy,” and choose Video Activity 1 to get started. Transcript.
· Behavioral Counseling: Laney Interview, Clip 1: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 8, “Behavioral Counseling,” and choose Video Activity 1 to get started. Transcript.
· Reality Therapy: Tim Interview, Clip 1: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 9, “Reality Therapy,” and choose Video Activity 1 to get started. Transcript.
· Reality Therapy: Tim Interview, Clip 2: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 9, “Reality Therapy,” and choose Video Activity 2 to get started. Transcript.
· Brief Counseling: Sarah Interview, Clip 1: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 10, “Brief Counseling,” and choose Video Activity 1 to get started. Transcript.
· Brief Counseling: Sarah Interview, Clip 2: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 10, “Brief Counseling,” and choose Video Activity 2 to get started. Transcript.
· Individual Psychology: Sarah Interview, Clip 1: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 11, “Individual Psychology,” and choose Video Activity 2 to get started. Transcript.
· Individual Psychology: Sarah Interview, Clip 2: Access this video from the textbook’s companion Web site. In the drop-down menu, select Chapter 11, “Individual Psychology,” and choose Video Activity 2 to get started.