Write about the impact of this external factor. Assess how you may have had to change to adapt, or how you have taken action in the face of external change.

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In this 500-word essay, you will reflect upon the ways that social, political, and cultural developments have an impact upon you and your actions.

 

Your essay may be about how the economy has changed your work, how technology has had an impact on your career pursuits, why you decided to pursue your degree, or other factors. Consider the cultural expectations from co-workers, friends and family, and your response to these expectations. You are not limited to this list, but may think of any external force and your internal action and personal response.

Author Seth Godin gives a definition of art that goes beyond the first impression of someone who paints, draws or makes music. In fact, you can engage in art whenever you aim to make a difference and share your potential. Thus, you can be an artist in customer service, manual labor, helping professions, or law enforcement. “An artist is someone who uses bravery, insight, creativity, and boldness to challenge the status quo. An artist takes it personally…Art is a personal gift that changes the recipient. The medium does not matter. The intent does. Art is a personal act of courage, something one human does that creates change in another (Godin, p. 83-84).” On this definition, your artistic expression may be pursuing your education, volunteering in your community, mentoring young people, or being the best parent you can be. The possibilities are broad.

You should open with an introduction that gives the scope for your essay, a preview of your main points, and a thesis. You will answer the following questions.

  1. Define one external factor that you believe has an influence on you. Introduce it and explain what it is and why you believe it is a good choice for investigation.
  2. Write about the impact of this external factor. Assess how you may have had to change to adapt, or how you have taken action in the face of external change.
  3. In Godin’s definition, art is about caring, creating change, and acting courageously. How might you do this in the future? Social, cultural, and political forces may cause you to change, but how have you been able to create a change that you direct?

The paper should conclude with a substantive and meaningful conclusion that restates the thesis and main points. You are welcome to write this paper in first person, since you are writing from your own impressions and experience.

 

Reference:

Godin, Seth. (2010) Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? New York, New York: Penguin Group

   Describe the background theory, human nature, major constructs, applications, and evaluations of each counseling theory.

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Week 3 Discussion

 

Theory in Action: Humanistic/Existential Applications

Human beings often place blame on people and forces outside of themselves. “Ever since I was fired from my job, I have experienced high levels of anxiety.” “My parent’s divorce caused me to abuse drugs at an early age.” In both of these statements, the blame is given to an external force. Humanistic and existential counselors ask clients to look internally to explore the meaning in these situations. By employing interventions that focus on growth, acceptance, and self-awareness, counselors address the root cause of a client’s problems. In addition, focusing on the person and not the disease or addiction can empower clients to take responsibility for their choices and their lives.

In this Discussion, you use this week’s media to continue your exploration of humanistic and existential theories.  In addition, you select one presentation that depicts a theory that resonates with you the most. Watch your selected media in its entirety, carefully observing the interactions of both the client and the counselor.  Then, imagine you had not known the counselor’s theoretical approach before accessing the media. Without this knowledge, how might you use his or her actions or interventions to identify the theory that he or she is applying?

When developing your Discussion post, support your ideas by providing references to specific examples from the video. In addition, cite the video frame (e.g. 8.32 minutes) that the action or intervention occurred. You do not need to summarize the demonstration itself, as your instructor and many of your colleagues have also viewed it. Instead, provide insight into the interventions used and major constructs of the theory.
Post by Day 3 a brief description of the video you selected and the theoretical approach used. Explain how this theory resonates with you. Then, describe the counselor’s specific interventions that would indicate his/her theoretical approach and explain how effectively they demonstrated the approach. Finally, share one insight you gained from watching the counselor in the media.

Respond by Day 5 to at least two of your colleagues using one or more of the following approaches:

·         Identify colleagues who selected a different theory than you. Critically appraise your colleagues’ critique of the counselor’s actions.

·         Provide insight into how another humanistic/existential theory could have been used to address this client.

 

 

Week 3 Learning Resources

 

This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week’s assigned Learning Resources.

Required Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.

Readings

·    Capuzzi, D., & Gross, D. R. (Ed.). (2011). Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (5th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

o    Chapter 6, “Existential Theory” (pp. 119–142)

o    Chapter 7, “Person-Centered Theory” (pp. 143–166)

o    Chapter 8, “Gestalt Theory” (pp. 167–191)

Note: This week’s chapters are for review, as they are the same as assigned for Week 2.

·         Document: Analyzing Counseling Theories (Word document)

Note: This document will be used for the completion of this week’s Assignment.

Media

·         Psychotherapy.net. (Executive Producer). (2008). Existential-humanistic psychotherapy [Video]. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 108 minutes.

 

·         Psychotherapy.net. (Executive Producer). (2008). Person-centered expressive arts therapy [Video]. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 118 minutes.
There is not a video for Gestalt therapy in this video series.

 

Week 3 Assignment

Application: Analyzing Counseling Theories

Theories help to build the foundation for almost all the actions you will engage in as a counselor. In fact, there might be one or more theories guiding your work without your conscious effort to actually use them. Employing an integrative approach allows counselors to utilize a wide variety of interventions and techniques to best address the needs of clients. Although it is common for many counselors to be influenced by one theory more than others, it is imperative that you are mindful of the ways each theory can contribute to your overall theoretical approach.

The Assignments in this course will support you in your efforts to successfully identify, apply, and evaluate theories. In each “Analyzing Counseling Theories” Assignment, you complete a 1-page chart and a 1-page reflection on two of the many theories discussed each week. When selecting your theories, think about how these theories could help to drive your work as a scholar-practitioner who effects social change. At the conclusion of this course, your completed Assignments will become a useful resource that can assist you as you progress through this program and your professional career. Download the chart template, “Analyzing Counseling Theories” from this week’s Learning Resources to begin your Assignment.

Part 1: Chart

·         Use the chart template to analyze counseling theories.

·         Select two theories from this week’s Learning Resources

·         Describe the background theory, human nature, major constructs, applications, and evaluations of each counseling theory.

Part 2: Reflection (1-page)

·         Describe a specific population of clients with whom you hope to work in the future.

·         Explain which of the two theories in your chart would be the most effective in working with this client population and explain why.

·         Describe the interventions you would suggest from this theory and how these interventions would assist this client population in reaching counseling goals.

Submit a 2- to 3- APA page paper that analyzes the role of the social worker in helping to plan end-of-life care. Include possible consideration of palliative care, euthanasia, hospice care, the living will and advanced directives, and other factors.

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The death of an elderly individual may occur in a variety of settings and circumstances. For example, an individual may die painlessly at home surrounded by the support of many loved ones, or an individual may suffer severe pain for months before dying in a health facility with little social support. In addition, it is possible that many health and helping professionals may interact with the dying person and his or her family.

For this Assignment, you consider a social worker’s role in end-of-life care. In addition to reading this week’s resources, conduct your own research and obtain at least one additional journal article that addresses how a social worker might support clients as they plan end-of-life care.

Submit a 2- to 3– APA page paper that analyzes the role of the social worker in helping to plan end-of-life care. Include possible consideration of palliative care, euthanasia, hospice care, the living will and advanced directives, and other factors. Research and cite at least one journal article to support your analysis.

References:

Cagle, J. G., & Kovacs, P. J. (2009). Education: A complex and empowering social work intervention at the end of life. Health & Social Work, 34(1), 17–27.

Dosser, I., & Kennedy, C. (2012). Family carers’ experiences of support at the end of life: Carers’ and health professionals’ views. International Journal of Palliative Nursing, 18(10), 491–497.

Reese, D. J. (2011). Interdisciplinary perceptions of the social work role in hospice: Building upon the classic Kulys and Davis study. Journal of Social Work in End-of-Life & Palliative Care, 7(4), 383-406.

MAKE SURE TO USE REFERENCES I UPLOADED 

APA FORMAT PAPER

What questions would you ask during the home visit with the grandmother? What additional information would you share with her?

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Your post should be at least 200–250 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources.

Motivating Staff through Encouragement, Job Enrichment, and Professional Development

The effective early childhood administrator must possess the interpersonal and communication skills necessary to hire and motivate staff. Creating a positive climate that supports and inspires staff, children, and families requires good leadership and communication skills.

Imagine you are a director of an early childhood program. Consider the motivating factors that you can control or change. Based on your understanding of the use of encouragement as a motivator, write a 1-2 sentence “acknowledgement” for the following:

  • Custodian
  • Cook
  • Office Manager
  • Volunteer
  • Teacher Assistant
  • Child in your program

Each acknowledgement should be individualized and recognize the specific efforts or contributions made.

Another way you can motivate staff is through job enrichment. Describe a way you could use the job enrichment strategy with:

  • Van/Bus Driver
  • Lead Teacher
  • Student Intern

Finally, staff meetings provide valuable opportunities to promote professional development. How can staff meetings be planned to best support professional development and growth?

Discussion 2

Your post should be at least 200–250 words in length and should extend the discussion of the group supported by your course materials and/or other appropriate resources

Effective Practices for Enrolling Children

Enrolling children involves much more than the filling out of forms. It can involve interviewing parents, touring the facility, making home visits, and gradually phasing in the children. As part of the enrollment process, families are asked to complete a personal history form and to review the program policies and procedures. Samples of these forms are found on pages 210-218 in the course textbook. Please review these forms and consider the following scenario:

During a home visit with the Johnston family, you learn that their four-year-old child is an only child of a young single mom who works long hours. The child is primarily cared for by the 70-year-old grandmother who has limited mobility and is hard of hearing. The four-year-old child has never attended a program before being enrolled in your program. While interacting with the child, you notice that the child’s speech is somewhat delayed compared to peers.

How would you guide the Johnston’s through the enrollment process? In your response please include answers to the following:

  • What questions would you ask during the home visit with the grandmother? What additional information would you share with her?
  • What questions would you ask during the parent interview with the young single mother? What additional information would you share with her?
  • What benefits of the gradual phase in will you stress for the 4-year-old who is an only child and has never attended a program?
  • What program aspects would you highlight during the facility tour to help the Johnston’s better understand program expectations and ways the program will benefit their child?
  • What additional actions would you take to support this new family and their acclimation to your program?