Personal Position paper on Psychotherapy Essay Example for Free

in the flesh(predicate) Position paper on Psychotherapy EssayIntroductionPeople argon forever and a day formd by disasters, and other life events, and they pauperism non be damaged by them. -John D. Weaver When we reading human behavior, specific every last(predicate)y focusing on the phylogenesis of individualizedity and crucial to how a psyche or variant(prenominal) conducts him/herself, psychology offers a variety of dimensions. The concept of somebodyality is central to our attempt to experience ourselves and others and is circumstances of the way in which we account for the differences that contri exactlye to our single(a)ity. Psychologists entertain been sectionalisationicularly concerned with shaping of the personality in relation to genetic and environ psychical influences. We switch been fortunate that the study of human personality has been thriving and fruitful. We enkindle choose from as many other(prenominal) models we can to servicing us see ou rselves better and maintain equitable births. In the course of our study, every individual counselor healer eventually develops his/her make commence in the therapeutic form. The path that the practitioner takes concerning his/her pickax of get on or model depends a lot on his/her avow personal preferences, personality and understanding of human nature. An eclectic approach is ordinarily the forecastion that anyone in this field would take however, certain dialect is make on some specific positions simply beca role these atomic number 18 the dominant theories which help communicate him/her in focusing the essentials of the process with the leaf node. Though the attempt is said to be eclectic then, the therapist still has this open option to change or vary some detail of his/her strategy along the course of the interaction or handling phases.Discussion There is a contain for integration non only for its theoretical applicability but everyplacely for its practica l usefulness. Presuppositions or philosophic conceptualizations atomic number 18 the pillars of any worldview, and to successfully establish a new one requires that changes or reinforcements be made at this plane. The integrative approaches were framed at this level so as to remove mental oppositions as they arise every snip in ones thoughts. When this is not adequately laid down, no audience can align their thoughts or understanding with what the author tries to convey. This paper is an attempt to convey a personal understanding of human behavior in the context of psychotherapeutic approaches that atomic number 18 modified for use by the author. It appreciates the accomplishments of the mingled approaches such as Behavioral, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychoanalytic, Existential, Humanistic, Family Systems, Gestalt and Client-Centered developments in the profession. The succeeding(a) reflects the views of the author in the healing process of the mind and emotions. Key Concepts of My Approach It is therefore expected that though at this point I economic determine the primary theories or perspectives that I am thus enumerating afterwards, this also implies that I am open to the various developments that be expectedly to occur in my practice in the coming(prenominal). Since this is an eclectic approach at employing strategies I have found to be beneficial personally and that of others, I wish to mention many of these in the following statements. I am persuaded further that key elements or themes argon found all throughout my own version of the approach. The smaller yet finer points rise only in the between. For the thrust that this paper is taking, I wish to mention then my views individually, on Behavioral, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychoanalytic, Existential, Humanistic, Family Systems, Gestalt and Client-Centered approaches. Behavioral Therapy This model utilizes what is termed as the training theory posited by Skinner and Watson and the rest of the Behav iorism school. It assumes that the principles in learning i.e., conditioning (Associative and Operant) are consequenceive means to effect change in an individual. Generally, the thrust of this theoretical perspective is focused on the symptoms that a person is experiencing. safe as many of the errors of the patterns of behavior come from learning from the environment, it is also assumed that an individual allow for be able to unlearn some if not all these by using the techniques as applied found on the learning principles. To a certain extent I believe that this still scarpers reinforcements are efficacious to some extent and in some or many people hence I am incorporating this stance separate or distinct from the Cognitive-Behavioral approach. In behavior therapy therefore, thoughts, feelings and all those malfunctioning and discarded manifestations revealed in ones activities can be unlearned and the work of a behavior therapist.The basal concepts include extinguishing u tilized when maladaptive patterns are then weakened and removed and in their engineer habits that are healthy are conventional (developed and strengthened) in a series or modernized approach called successive approximations. When these (factors) are reinforced such as through rewards in intrinsic and extrinsic means, the capableness of a more se recuperate and steady change in behavior is developed and firmly established (Rubinstein et al., 20074 Corey, 2004). Although few psychologists today would regard themselves as strict behaviorists, behaviorism has been very influential in the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. There are different emphases within this discipline though. some behaviorists contend plainly that the observation of behavior is the best or almost expedient method of exploring mental and cognitive processes. Others consider that it is in reality the only way of examining such processes, while still others argue that behavior itself is the on ly appropriate subject of psychology, and that familiar psychological terms such as whimsy only refer to behavior. Albert Banduras social cognitive approach grew out of this movement. Banduras method emphasizes cognitive processes everywhere and above observable behavior, concentrating on not only the influence of the persons upbringing for example, but also observation, imitation, and thought processes (Plotnik, 2005). Cognitive-Behavioral In the cognitive approach alone, the therapist understands that a knob or persevering comes into the healing relationship and the formers role is to change or modify the latters maladjusted or error-filled thinking patterns. These patterns whitethorn include wishful thinking, unrealistic expectations, unalterable re musical accompaniment and living in the past or even beyond the present and into the future, and overgeneralizing. These habits run short to confusion, frustration and eventual constant disappointment. This therapeutic approach stresses or accentuates the rational or logical and positive worldview a viewpoint that takes into condition that we are difficulty-solvers, have options in life and not that we are always left with no choice as many people think. It also looks into the fact that because we do have options then there are many things that await someone who have had bad choices in the past, and therefore can look positively into the future.Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy postulated primarily by Ellis and Beck facilitates a collaborative relationship between the uncomplaining and therapist. With the idea that the counselor and persevering together cooperate to attain a trusting relationship and agree which problems or issues take away to come first in the course of the therapy. For the Cognitive Behaviorist Therapist, the immediate and presenting problem that the client is suffering and plain from takes precedence and mustiness(prenominal) be addressed and focused in the manipulation. There is i nstantaneous relief from the symptoms, and whitethorn be encouraged or spurred on to pursue in-depth word and reduction of the ailments where possible.The relief from the symptoms from the primary problem or issue will inspire the client to imagine or think that change is not impossible after all. In this model, issues are dealt directly in a practical way. Coaching the affected role on the step by step procedure of CBT is a basic and fundamental ingredient. Here the client is enlightened as to the patterns of his thinking and the errors of these thoughts which bore fruit in his attitudes and behavior. His/her thoughts and beliefs have connections on his/her behavior and must therefore be reorganized. For character, the ways that a client looks at an issue of his/her life will direct the path of his reactivity to the issue. When corrected at this level, the behavior follows automatically (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Psychodynamic Therapy The Psychodynamic perspective is based on the work of Sigmund Freud. He created both a theory to explain personality and mental disorders, and the form of therapy known as psychoanalysis. The psychodynamic approach assumes that all behavior and mental processes reflect constant and often unconscious struggles within the person. These usually involved conflicts between our need to satisfy basic biological instincts, for example, for food, sex or aggression, and the restrictions imposed by society.Not all of those who take a psychodynamic approach accept all of Freuds original ideas, but most would view abnormal or problematic behavior as the result of a stroke to resolve conflicts adequately. Many of the disorders or mental illnesses experienced today without a doubt have their psychodynamic bill aside from other viewpoints like that of the behaviourist, or the cognitivists. From simple childhood developmental diseases to Schizophrenia, there is a rule that from Freuds camp is able to explain (Kaplan et al, 199 4). Existential Therapy The Existential approach, as put forward by Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger, Rollo May, and Frankl, believes that the individuals potential whitethorn lie dormant but that it is there waiting to be ushered in time. It recognizes that man is able to achieve great heights and that these are just waiting to be tapped not only by him/herself but that also when helped by a practitioner who is persuaded of this arbitrariness. It contemplates such major issues as dethaw will and the challenges of exercising this free will, the issue of mortality, loneliness and in general, the meaning of life.The Therapy is efficient when the practitioner works with elderly care and death and dying issues. It focuses on the individual needs but takes into consideration the significant relationships and the meanings they bring into the persons life. Transcending the issues and problems are primary intentions of the therapist at the aforementioned(prenominal) time bein g realistic that certain limitations do exist and may hinder the process of recuperation (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Humanistic Therapy Allport, Bugental, Buhler, Maslow Rollo May, Murphy, Murray, Fritz Perls and Rogers are those that helped usher in the Humanistic theory and consequent therapy. It holds in view the individual as possessing the options or freedom to choose, creativity, and the capability to attain a state where he/she is more aware, freer, trusty and worthy of trust. Because the human mind has immense potential, the approach assesses as closely that forces from the environment bear on with the individual and depending on the interplay that occurs within the individual person, the result will each be destructive or constructive to the person. In sum, humanism takes into the perspective that essentially humans are good and not evil, and that the therapy facilitates by harnessing on the human potential through the development of interpersonal skills. Thi s results to an enhanced quality life and the individual becomes an asset rather than a liability to the society where he revolves in (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Family Systems Therapy This theoretical viewpoint has been the by-product of the works of Bateson, Minuchin, Bowen, Ackerman and many others. Usually done in pairs or by a team of practitioners, family systems therapy has its grow in behavioral and psychoanalytic principles. This model understands that the family is a unit and its members or any of its members with an issue or a problem must be addressed in the context of the family as a unit. It puts its emphasis on the relationships among the family members, their patterns of communication more than their individual traits and/or symptoms. The systems theory portion of the therapy indicates that whatever is occurring or calamity is not isolated but is a working go of a bigger context. In the family systems approach then, no individual person can be understo od when removed from his relationships whether in the present or past, and this is specially focused on the family he belongs to (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Gestalt Therapy Gestalt therapy has this goal of reducing if not removing the symptoms with the rationale that the individual has personal responsibility and that the here-and-now experience is thus very important. This two-fold emphasis on the present moment as experience by the person and that other reality is that our existence is entangled actually with other aspects and offices of the environment. It is when we understand that we are related with other things that insights to our issues are achieved and help us in finding solutions to our existence. When we are free from the obstructions of things that are unfinished then we reduce the obstacles and enhance the opportunities to our optimal satisfaction and fulfillment and eventual harvest-festival (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Client-Centered Therapy Developed and known because of the works by one person Carl Rogers Client Centered Therapy focuses on the person who needs aid and his/her improvement depends on the client himself although with the facilitation and assistance of the therapist. The rationale for the direction of the therapy lies in the notion that humans basically possess the ability to move towards the fulfillment of his/her possibilities. According to Rogers, Individuals have within themselves extensive resources for self-understanding and for altering their self-concepts, basic attitudes, and self-directed behavior these resources can be tapped if a definable climate of helpful psychological attitudes can be provided (Rogers, 1980, p 115-117 in Rubinstein et al., 2007). This approach is very popular today and many therapists usually incorporate this model into their own eclectic method. Rogers identified three important concepts termed as conditions these are congruence, unconditional positive regard and emp athy. Many in the mental health circles have these in their casual jargon. In the aforementioned conditions, a person moves toward what Rogers call constructive direction when these three conditions are afforded. The habit of the Therapist I aspire to be a therapist counselor whose practice is characterized as empowering and collaborative. By empowering, I understand the limitations of my role and as such I am constrained at the same(p) time to impart my best knowledge and efforts to enable my client/patient to understand him/herself, and lead the treatment to the point where he/she is able to stand on his/her own without my help anymore. Further, it means that I recognize the patient or client as a person who is not only complex, he/she is also is imbued with the nature that inherently can heal, grow and mature. They contribute to the process, and their attitude towards the whole duration of the healing relationship is a crucial aspect to the attainment of their goals. The therap ist then must remove by all means any barrier or obstruction to the achievement of goals especially when these come potentially from the therapist him/herself (thats me).By collaborative, a crystalize because there are set limitations on my capacities, I recognize the availability and expertise of others in realms that I hardly know and that working with them, collaborating with them, gives my client more options, and provides him/her the best and super interventions that there is in the field. A therapy that is beneficial looks beyond my set style and preferences of diagnosing and treatment it is progressive and seeks to enhance the initial strategies that had been established and continually expands oneself by learning and researching. Most importantly, by collaboration, my client is the most significant collaborator and that notion should not be missed all throughout (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004).. The effectiveness of therapy in counselling is dependent substantially o n two factors namely, the patients cooperation, and the expertise of the therapist. Many experts in the field of Psychology have observed the significant contribution of the client to the over-all process. The individuals percept of the therapist is extremely crucial to the ensuing treatment. Without the needed initial positive perception of the therapist on the part of the one seeking treatment, the whole process will not generate a desire momentum that would set the entire scheme in a strategic stance. Of course, the expertise of the therapist is another major factor actually, the other half but its a given to the whole software program of treatment (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Since a working alliance has to be established first before the actual treatment is ad parsoned, there are important or vital considerations for this working alliance between client and therapist to occur, and this is in prcis, the intentions of this paper. What we will be considering in this paper are the challenges that new therapists face as they practice their profession. The past baggage of the client. From any vantage point, the level of trust by client on his therapist, whether that perception is based on attractiveness, trustworthiness or as someone who knows what he may be dealing with in terms of credentials, are valid, and is the utmost concern of the helping relationship. Trust in the part of the client is necessary for the healing process. However, because the full ramifications of the issue almost always hinge on the perceptions of the client, the problems and hindrances need to be addressed or at least cited for clarity and deliberation at the inception of the relationship.As hinted above, the client may be bringing (emotional) baggage into their mutual involvement which may be ascribable to prior engagements with other professionals in the therapeutic relations, whether positive or negative. Oftentimes, in many cases, these may be liaisons which were u nsuccessful, distasteful or even traumatic for a few. The author pointed out that any form of future therapy will be affected due to these previous experiences, and it has to be dealt with right away at the outset (Horvath Luborsky, 1993, p. 4). The fitness of the therapist By fitness, we mean sufficient, wide-ranging exposure, and right training to the kind of illness/es or disorder/s that he may be dealing. Even with days spent in the academe will not guarantee the development of skills in handling such complex and realistic situations or scenarios. At times, the theoretic skills acquired, instead of enabling the new therapist, may deter or muffle the process. This means to say that the therapist must possess more than head-knowledge he should not allow his knowledge to affect him to the extent that it made him conceited with no room for more learning especially when excess knowledge are available in the patient himself. He must also have the aesthesia to employ his gut-feel ing to at times, direct the course of the therapy (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). curative relationships are almost always exhausting, but it will be an undesirable experience for the alliance partners when just one of them becomes disinterested, hence as Luborsky pressed that reciprocality must be established, cultivated or maintained until the relationship is terminated, hopefully because the client is soundly (Horvath Luborsky, 1993, p. 4).III. The Therapeutic Process The therapeutic process is initiated by the therapist primarily as soon as the client or others who refer or brought the patient in for the assumed long haul of the healing relationship. It would be impossible to do all approaches at one time. By eclectic and as frequently emphasized, the habit of any of the methods will be dependent on the need of the patient, and other pertinent information that help guide which of these the therapist will be using. The therapist then is enjoined to be able to diagnose w ell it is at this stage that any practitioner is well aware of the risks should he/she fail to diagnose right on the needs and or issues /problems of the client. However, as he/she matures and advances in the profession, many instances occur that the mistakes made in diagnosis are oftentimes corrected while at the treatment stage, hence the traits of flexibility and humility (admitting mistakes for instance) are valued highly in this profession (Rogers, 1980, p 115-117 in Rubinstein et al., 2007). Employing the Behavioral, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychodynamic, Existential, Humanistic, Family Systems, Gestalt and Client-Centered Eclectic stance primarily involves the internalization of distinct concepts within a single framework. The important thing is that of flexibility and resiliency on my part when to apply or implement which of the theories in the context of my client. It starts with the naming of specific problems and especially the root causes. When this is confidently achiev ed, the therapist is actually midway to attaining his/her goals which includes not only the relief of the symptoms that the sufferer is currently experiencing but especially the reduction of the occurrence if not altogether eliminated.The specific treatment goals are likewise essential and it helps in the remaining aspects or levels of the process. The diagnostic part by itself in most cases is considered therapeutic since many clients have experienced immediate relief in the language of psychoanalysis, the cathartic effect is helpful already. In addition, another important ingredient in the process is to identify effective reinforcers which help people in crisis for instance or those in acute and chronic mental and emotional anguish to sustain their plan for change and subordination of their disorders. Helping the client set up a kind of self-help management program is a very effective strategy to pursue within the relationship (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004).Identifying cli ents in crisis Despite breakthroughs in scientific researches and the success of many crisis interventions by established churches, there are fly by night trading operations which prey on funding of cloak-and-dagger and government groups on such types of operations. There are those who minister lacking the necessary spiritual maturity and corresponding abilities in this kind of endeavor, hence the necessity of right(a) credentials to minimize abuses in the profession (Buttman, p.59). Crucial to the treatment or interventions of people in crisis is the identification of clients experiencing crisis in life. Knowledge of the three core components of crisis intervention theory (a precipitating event, client perception of the event, and the clients usual coping methods) is essential in this kind of work (Walsh et al, 2005). The Goal of Therapy Trauma induce and crisis triggering situations have spiraled its occurrence and in its primacy in the US and in many other countries in upsta rt years. Its broad spectrum ranges from the national disaster category such as that of Hurricane Katrina or the 911 terrorist strikes in New York, Spain and England, to private instances such as a loved ones attempt at suicide, the murder of a spouse or child, the beginning of mental illness, and the worsening situation of domestic violence (Teller et al, 2006).The acute crisis chronological sequence is a consequence of people who experience life-threatening events and feel overwhelmed with difficulty resolving the inner conflicts or anxiety that threaten their lives. They seek the help of counselors, paramedics and other health workers in crisis intervention centers to tide them over the acute episodes they are encountering. These are defining moments for people and must be adequately addressed else they lead lives with dysfunctional conduct patterns or disorders (Roberts et al, 2006). In the integrated or eclectic approach the goal of the therapy is not just relief to the patien t or client. Although an immediate relief is very helpful, this may not always be the case in most illnesses. The goal as mentioned in the preceding pages is to provide long-term reduction of the symptoms and the occurrence of the disease altogether if possible. The management then is not impossible but uncomplete is this easy.Specifically, the counselee or patient must want to heal or believe that there is going to be curative effects in the process. It presupposes that he/she must learn to trust the therapist in his/her capabilities as well in leading or facilitating the changes or modifications. It is very very much essential that (in the perspective of a cognitive-behaviorist) that the client understands ownership to the deeds and choices in thought patterns he/she made are crucial to the happen or occurring condition that s/he experiences (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Moreover, the identification of specific treatments or interventions according to the diagnosed is sue will be accommodated and implemented based on the chosen treatment modalities fit with the therapeutic approach utilized. It may be a single modality based on a single approach (e.g., learning principles and desensitization for a patient with specific phobias) or it maybe a combination of many modalities (CBT, Rogerian, Phenomenological, or Family systems) (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). The Nature of the Relationship between the Therapist and the Client The client throughout the process is a person in need of help and support and this reality is throughout reinforced in the process until the need to terminate the relationship. The therapist is the helper, who ushers the client to discover insights into his needs and problems and until the client is able to stand on his/her own the therapist aids him/her in more ways than one. Because of usual and common abuses that either the client suffers or that the therapist at times undergoes, definite boundaries are set in place at the outset. This must be established at the initial stage and from time to time emphasized to mind either of the parties in the limits of the relationship. The therapist is guided by morality and ethics of his/her profession in the proper exercising of his/her duties and bound by law to implement this in the process and make this known as well to the client. The therapist terminates the relationship readily or refer the client to another competent practitioner should the limits be chained and the relationship has become unrealistically difficult for either of the two parties. Best Practices for Techniques Techniques or the utilization of various modalities come in a variety of forms and each when employed has the potential to meet the individuals needs. The modality of choice at particular client/patient depends on such considerations as family support, monetary constraints or financial capability, the patients preference, diagnosis, and age of patient (Rubinstein, et al., 2007 ). Employing the cathartic method, teaching the client to examine his/her thought patterns, to discern the errors of judgment and gain insight into him/herself, and to handle with patience the whole process are fundamentals in the process. When the therapist is able to shift effectively in various standpoints and enables the client to gain a better, realistic and eradicate unrealistic expectations of the self and others, they are both on the way to achieving one and healing that which the client so need and aspire. This requires practice, or constant training and endurance on the part of the therapist (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004).VII. Methods of Therapy Every theoretical approach has its own assumptions. In the psychodynamic theory, the following three assumptions help guide a student of human behavior or an expert in this field determine the central factors that explain the overt manifestations of specific behaviors. These assumptions therefore, help guide the diagnosis of the presence or absence of mental illness. They are the same assumptions that guide the therapist in choosing what treatment that will better help heal, cure or alleviate the symptoms. These assumptions areThere are instinctive urges that drive personality formation.Personality harvest-festival is driven by conflict and resolving anxieties.Unresolved anxieties produce neurotic symptoms (Source Kaplan et al, 1994). The goals of treatment here include alleviating patient of the symptoms which specifically works to uncover and work through unconscious conflict. The task of psychodynamic therapy is to make the unconscious conscious to the patient (Models of abnormality, National Extension College Trust, Ltd). Employing the psychodynamic viewpoint, the therapist or social scientist believes that emotional conflicts, or neurosis, and/or disturbances in the mind are caused by unresolved conflicts which originated during childhood years. In the psychodynamic approach the treatment modal ity frequently used includes dreams and free necktie, at times hypnosis (as preferred by either the therapist or by the client). The therapist actively communicates with the client in the on-going sessions. The scenario appears that a given patient may have up to five times a week session and runs up to five years in length (Rubinstein et al., 2007). The methods of therapy incorporate the methods of the eight models. In Behavioral Therapy the development of behavioral skills that encourage effective actions which is done through incorporating principles in learning or classical and operant conditioning. It utilizes shaping, modeling and such concepts as behavior modification, counterconditioning and exposure, and systematic desensitization. Behavioral or action therapies utilize insight just as much as the psychodynamic model. Just as the cognitivebehavioral model also recognizes the concept of insight as well, this is only a matter of emphasis or focus. In behavioral/cognitive-be havioral therapies the focus is on the modification or control of behavior and insight usually becomes a tangential advantage.Techniques include CBT through such strategy as cognitive restructuring and the current frequently used REBT for Rational Emotive-Behavior Therapy where irrational beliefs are eliminated by examining them in a rational manner (Corey, 2004 Davison and Neale, 2001). Whereas in insight therapies the focus or emphasis is on the patients ability in understanding his/her issues basing on his inner conflicts, motives and fears. Techniques then include reflection of feelings and free association the former as employed in the clientcentered therapy and with the latter in psychodynamic therapy. Cognitive Strategies are utilized to upraise functional thoughts which are likely to result in adaptive and healthy habits (Corey, 2004 Davison and Neale, 2001). Client-centered therapy avoids the imposition of goals on the patient or client during therapy. It is the client who takes the lead in the session and of the conversation. It is the job of the therapist to create the conditions conducive to the clients positive judgment of those experiences that are intrinsically satisfying to the client. The goal then is to reach the point where the client desires to be a good and civilized person. Unconditional positive regard enhances this strain however, and although the goal may be difficult to achieve, unconditional positive regard eventually, according to Rogers, encourages even the unbehaved to set or even transform (Corey, 2004 Davison and Neale, 2001). Gestalt therapy techniques on the other hand, include the I-language, The Empty Chair, Projection feelings, Attending to communicative Cues, and the Use of Metaphor (Corey, 2004 Davison and Neale, 2001). The techniques may sound a lot like pulling this and that from ones tool box but in practice it is far from whimsical and impulsive. There is given time to much thought and analysis per client and an e valuation in between is mustered in order to be kept on track according to the specific goals that had been established at the outset. Here, professionalism counts and much of the efforts poured into every patients benefit. In order to avoid what Corey says as a syncretistic and hodgepodge type of eclectism a theoretical rationale must be underpinning in the overall approach of the therapist (Corey, 2001, Article 29 in Lazarus, 1986, 1996 Lazarus, Beutler, Norcross, 1992). This means that I as the therapist must establish firmly my own worldview, which contains my value system, and communicates this at the outset to the client and intermittently in the therapeutic process.