Discussion 1

Select one of the cases below and answer the corresponding questions. Make sure to identify which case you have selected in the heading of your post e.g., Case #1.

The Discussions will be graded as follows:

• Fully and correctly answered each question– 4pts
• Made reference to assigned reading when answering the question (e.g., according to Corey…..)- 1pt
• One outside resource was consulted on one of the issues discussed in the response. Make sure to refer to the source in your response and cite reference at the end of your post in APA format (e.g., according to a recent article in ……., anxiety with children is common….(Silverman, 2002)- 2 pts
• Responded to at least 2 other student’s posts-1 pt

Case #1: A client who has not questioned her religious beliefs

Brenda, age 22, comes to see you because of problems in living at home with her family. She tells you that she feels dependent both financially and emotionally on her parents and that although she would like to move out and live with a girlfriend, she has many fears of taking this step. She also says that her religion is extremely important to her and that she feels a great deal of guilt over the conflict she has with her parents. After some discussion you find that she has never really questioned her religious values and that it appears that she has completely accepted the beliefs of her parents. Brenda says that if she followed her religion more closely, she would not be having all these difficulties with her folks. She is coming to you because she would “like to feel more like an independent adult who could feel free enough to make my own decisions.”

1. Which personal characteristics of effective counselors from Ch. 2 would be most helpful in this situation (at least 2) and why?
2. Which of the issues faced by beginning therapists from Ch. 2 might become an issue for you in this specific case (at least 2 issues) and why?
3. What counseling ethical issues from Ch. 3 do you need to consider in this specific case (at least 2) and why?

   The Counselor: Person and Professional

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    The most important instrument you have is YOU  Your living example of who you are and how you struggle to live up to your potential is powerful

    Be authentic  The stereotyped, professional role can be shed  If you hide behind your role the client will also hide

    Be a therapeutic person  Be willing to grow, risk, care, and be involved

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (1) ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    Abundant research indicates the centrality of the person of the therapist and therapeutic relationship as key factors in successful therapy.

    The contextual factors, not techniques, are the primary determinants of therapeutic outcome.

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (2) ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Can help you explore your motivations for being a counselor, countertransference, and other issues that are triggered by clinical work

    Research shows that it is important to counselors’ personal and professional development.

    If we are not committed personally to the value of examining life, how can we inspire clients to examine their lives?

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (3)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Avoid value imposition

    Recognize that you are not value‐neutral

    Assist clients in creating goals and finding answers that are most congruent with their own values

    Find ways to manage value conflicts between you and your clients

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (4)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Become aware of your biases and values

    Become aware of your own cultural norms and expectations

    Attempt to understand the world from your client’s vantage point

    Gain a knowledge of the dynamics of oppression, racism, discrimination, and stereotyping

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (5)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    Study the historical background, traditions, and values of your client and be open to learning from him/her

    Expand your vantage point to explore your client’s ways of life that are different from your own

    Develop an awareness of acculturation strategies Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (6)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Dealing with anxieties

    Being oneself and self‐ disclosing

    Avoiding perfectionism

    Being honest about limitations

    Understanding silence

    Dealing with demands from clients

    Dealing with clients who lack commitment

    Tolerating ambiguity Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (7)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Avoiding losing oneself in one’s clients

    Developing a sense of humor

    Sharing responsibility with the client

    Declining to give advice

    Defining one’s role as a counselor

    Learning to use techniques appropriately

    Developing one’s own counseling style

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (8)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

    

    

    

    

    

    

    Take care of your single most important instrument – YOU  Develop self‐care strategies and a plan for renewal

    Know what causes burnout

    Know how to recognize and remedy burnout

    Know how to prevent burnout through self‐care

   Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy – Chapter 2 (9)

   ©2013 Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning

Consider a time when you or a family member/friend were sick (could be a minor sickness like the flu, or something more serious). Discuss how various biopsychosocial factors may have contributed to the illness. Discuss the behaviors involved and how you feel those behaviors contributed to the illness. Reference the textbook in your discussion post.

After reading The Six Dimensions of Wellness Model, rate your own wellness for each dimension on a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being the lowest possible level of wellness and 10 being highest possible level of wellness). Analyze your highest and lowest rated dimensions of wellness and consider possible reasons why they are at that level. Write about what you learned from this activity as well as how this relates to what you have learned this week.

End your discussion post with one well thought out question related to health psychology from which your colleagues can formulate a response or generate further discussion.

Your Discussion should be at least 250 words in length, but not more than 750 words. Use APA citations and references for the textbook and any other sources used.