REFLECTION ON COUNSELLING COURSE

 

 

Abstract

Counseling concept has been experienced in the past and also in the modern ages, and it reflects an individual who seeks advice from another individual. To overcome behavioral problems such as depression and other related issues, individuals usually find help from family and friends or counselor.  However due to new technology, development of modern science and advancement in the field of psychology, theorists have discovered effective approaches, for psychoanalysis. The paper analyses the importance of counseling, the effectiveness and various methods of psychotherapy

 

Reflection on Counseling Course

            What I Have Learned

                Counseling concept has been experienced in the past and also in the modern ages, and it reflects an individual who seeks advice from another individual. Counseling involves advising or helping an individual to solve problems which might be issues related to family, school or even work. The life sometime may be challenging and even stressful, and when an individual is overwhelmed with the problems he or she can see a counseling professional in a private setting, and this process is referred to as counseling.

 Psychoanalytic therapy is a treatment which is based on the theories of Sigmund Fred, and it views that thought and behaviors are influenced by the unconscious mind. Its primary objective is to offer insight to an individual who is looking for therapy.  It tries to see whether individual childhood events have affected the lives of the client. It aims to make a change in personality and emotional development of the client (Hobson, 2016, p.2). Existential therapy is a philosophical approach that views that an individual is free to choose what he or she wants to do and to be responsible for the outcome.  This therapy is used to assist or help an individual to be aware of the meaning of life and the purpose (Carlson, Watts, & Maniacci, 2006, p25). Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) first came into being between years 1980s-1990s as a result of convergence counseling approaches developed by Albert Ellis and Aaron Beck.  In this therapy, the therapist has much control of the techniques used in the process. Cognitive behavior therapy covers a wide variety of therapy types, and they are based on specific intervention used. These therapy types include multimodal therapy, cognitive analytic therapy and rational emotive behavior therapy (Persons, 2012, p.13).

            Carl Rogers who was American psychologist developed the person-centered approach in the 1940-1950s which also called client-centered or non –directive approach which is still now used today. In this approach heavy emphasis is directed on the client’s to be seen whether he or she can solve their problems. Rogers believed that clients could be able to develop and solve their problems using their resources and not necessarily seek help from the counselor.  Thus the role of the counselor in this approach is to help the victim be able to use his or her resources. For successful a therapeutic change, there should be psychological contact between the therapist and the client where both of them are on the same path of discovery and share common information.  The therapist’s responsibility is to advise the client on this journey since there are more experienced (Quinn, 2015, p.9).

    Unlike other forms of therapy that usually take time to examine problems, solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) its main aim is to find solutions based on present time and knowing the hopes for the future for an individual to offer a solution to the client.  According to this method, an individual is supposed to know what he or she needs to get the solution to the problem. To find quick and better solutions coaching and questioning are used. SFBT is used to treat individuals of all ages and various issues example child abuse, addiction, behavioral problems and family dysfunction (Kim, 2013, p.32). Also, SFBT is used to improve the lives of people with depression and schizophrenia disorders. Narrative therapy is a type of counseling where people and problems are viewed as entirely different. This makes the victims move away from the issue and watch whether it is helping them.  Narrative therapy is used by couples, families, and individuals who define themselves by their problems. I have learnt from the counseling topic that I t is essential to go for counseling if need arise because it helps one to be able to know his her problems and be able to sort them out.

            What I Found Most Valuable

            Listening or observing is the most thing I found valuable in the counseling skills in the therapeutically relationship. Where the therapist is willing and able to meets the clients, he or she is supposed to listen carefully. It is vital for the therapist to ask questions to be able to learn more about the client. Also, the most valuable thing I learned is that as therapist one should be able to use reflection in the counseling process thus helping the person to explain client state. The therapist should try and remain genuine when interacting with the client. 

            What Challenged Me

The challenging thing about the counseling process is that the therapy talk and meeting different kinds of clients does not make one feel better. Finding a breakthrough is suitable for the therapist and the client though it does not come easy. Therefore achieving the goal, one has to be courageous and unafraid. Remembering memories and experiences or even changing a client behavioral style can be demanding, disturbing and overwhelming.

            What I Want To Know More About

Given that counseling is a broad topic, I want to know whether counseling therapy is forever or there is a stage where the client will stay without the therapy sessions. Also, after the counseling processes will the client be able have a healthy life such as to do away with depression, anxiety and related problems.

 

Conclusion

    In conclusion, counseling course has taught me that it is okay to listen to victims without jumping to the conclusion this will help one to achieve simplicity and clarity of what the client need. Also as a therapist, one should always show support for client’s feelings by being aware of the victim emotional responses.  Also, individuals should offer their personal experiences to the clients to help them to share their problems without feeling guilty. When assisting an individual, it is good to give them time to express their feelings and ideas. This will help the therapist to get the appropriate information from the client. The advisor or therapist when necessary should use valid examples to express his or her feelings to the client.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Carlson, J., Watts, R. E., & Maniacci, M. (2006). Adlerian therapy: Theory and practice. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

 Hobson, R. P. (2016). Brief psychoanalytic therapy. Oxford, United Kingdom; New York, NY, USA: Oxford University Press

Kim, J. S. (2013). Solution-focused brief therapy: A multicultural approach. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, Inc.

 Persons, J. B. (2012). The case formulation approach to cognitive-behavior therapy. New York: Guilford Press.

Quinn, A. (2015). A person-centered approach and the Rogerian tradition: A handbook. San Bernardino, California: CreateSpace.