Case Conceptualization Case conceptualization is typically initiated by the identification of the client’s problem. CBT’s view is that the problem lies within maladaptive cognitive processes (e.g. cognitive distortions and destructive, often times inaccurate, core beliefs) that lead to problematic behavioral outcomes. Once the problem has been identified, the etiology of the problem is explored. Within CBT the assumption is that learned cognitive constructs for which the client’s experiences are viewed through cause and maintain the results (e.g. anxiety, depression, etc.) of the client’s problems. Once this etiology has been mapped, appropriate CBT techniques and strategies can be selected and a therapeutic plan can be created.…
Since I was first accepted into the graduate clinical mental health counseling program, I highly anticipated my first experience of actual counseling. I never expected the difficulties I would face upon my first encounter counseling a client. With my client unaware of the reason for being referred to me, asking “what brings you in here today?” turned out to be the wrong question to ask. The more appropriate way initiating a counseling relationship begins with introductions and obtaining background information from the client increasing the trust level between client and the counselor. During the session, I detected my “machine gun questions” meaning I never provided my client adequate time to respond before I asked another question; as a result,…
Within the counseling field, there is a professional relationship between client and therapist. At the beginning of the relationship the client notices an issue and approaches a professional for help. The counselor simply guides them through the treatment process that will benefit the client with their lifestyle, self-worth, religion/spirituality, worldviews, or career path. In regards to this, a counselor will be assisting a client who is suffering from anxiety and depression with theoretical orientation. The counselor supporting the client is a 24-year-old, Caucasian, female, who is highly religious, and practices ideal empathy.…
Does the Gerson Institute cure patients by their nutritional cancer therapy? Gerson Therapy is known for it's outstanding results from their patients. It may come as a shock to most people when they hear that cancer has been cured, or other conditions such as multiple sclerosis and kidney disease. In the 1930's, a physician named Max Gerson had severe migraines which led him to search for a cure. His cure for migraines consists of "flooding the body with nutrients from about fifteen to twenty pounds of organically-grown fruits and vegetables daily" (gerson.org).…
The Gestalt exercise is aimed to connect the client to the internal and external focuses within their environment (Corey, 2016, p. 201). In my example of the Gestalt therapy exercise, I discussed what happens around me (field theory), the inseparable whole (holism), experience in the environment (figure-formation process), and keeping my formation (organismic self-regulation. This type of exercise incorporates a mind and body connection with the individual. On the other hand, a somatization is a physical response that happens without a trigger. An example of somatization would be an individual diagnosed with depression.…
The gestalt therapy approach focuses on the now versus the past; it is recommended for clients to think about current solutions instead of what could have happened. In this therapy, clients are asked on pay attention to the present moments; in addition to, an individual asked present tense questions. Likewise, it allows clients to elaborate on the past and discuss the client current attitudes and behaviors. The unfinished business can cause several harmful symptoms of the mind and body.…
An associated conjecture is that therapists who have perilous counseling abilities can help enable personal change in their clients (Vasilaki, et al., 2006). The four ideologies of improving motivation, as singled out by Miller and Rollnick, are: 1) articulating understanding; 2) understanding the difference between one’s long-term aims and one’s behavior; 3) rolling with opposition; and 4) supporting an individual’s confidence in his or her capability to change (Vasilaki, et al., 2006). The first of these four values is derivative of Rogers’ work in the region of empathic understanding of a client’s aforementioned behavior (Miller, 2006). As demarcated by Rogers, correct understanding includes dexterous reflective listening that elucidates and intensifies a person’s arrangement of reality (Miller, 2006). Dissimilar to Rogers’ wide use of reflective listening, however, Miller and Rollnick’s practice is to offer information in relations to providing a list of different options (Miller & Rollnick, 2002).…
Strengths Regardless of what theoretical approach we use, unless we have a strong therapeutic alliance with our client therapy is not likely to be successful (Laureate Education, Inc., 2012). The first time that you are in contact with the client the helping relationship begins. I believe that a counselor should be ready to start helping the client at that very second. The helping relationship is the cornerstone on which all effective helping rest (Capuzzi et al., 2016).…
Case conceptualizations are an intricate part of becoming a counselor. They allow for students to work with a specific theory that may possibly stay with them through their entire career. Here is a case conceptualization from the rehabilitation case study; I have applied Gestalt therapy to help the client. II. Client Overview…
After having spring break and Easter weekend with my family, the change project has caused us to become much closer. I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with them and continue to grow out out relationships. My mom is a medical case manager and guardian for clients with all kinds of disabilities. Her clients have all kinds of physical, mental, psychological disorders as well. Anyways, I was brainstorming different topics for my paper with her and she proposed a question that she has always wondered, especially with her clients that have constant psychiatric needs.…
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Gestalt Therapy: Similarities As Yontef and Jacobs (2011) note, initially, it was fairly simple to compare Gestalt to other systems of therapy, largely due to the fact that Gestalt could clearly distinguish itself as the system that upheld existential and humanistic characteristics. Over time, however, the distinction between the fields has become more and more narrow. Following are the similarities between Gestalt boundary differences and psychodynamic defence mechanisms: Both theoretical approaches mention projection as a defence mechanism or boundary difference that they seek to address. The psychodynamic approach describes projection as “unacceptable impulses or feelings of his own to another person (or agency)”…
Therapists must use the tools and training they have to evaluate each individual and come up with a plan that works for them. For example, a school counselor may use the behavior approach more frequently than a therapist who mainly counsels families. As counselors, therapists, psychologists, or psychiatrists, we must use the knowledge we have and come up with the best approach for each individual we work with. We must continue to learn from personal experiences, colleagues, and research in order to help our clients to the best of our…
1. List/describe six or more core values or beliefs that you hold that you think will influence your development of a counseling approach. Explain how your counseling approach will be shaped by these values or beliefs. (minimum 200 words) Core values and beliefs are important in a counseling relationship. Values are important because it helps a person to better understand themselves and what is Important to them as a person.…
This approach is interesting because it addresses the resiliency of the client and the client can build upon a strength-based foundation to work towards solutions (George, 2008). I feel that this approach can be applied in many different situations to build on the strengths and past successes than to correct the past failures or mistakes. Secondly, in this approach the therapist understands, accepts, and uses the client’s unique worldviews during the process of identifying and amplifying exceptions (George, 2008). Lastly, this approach uses the imagination of client to visualize the future through questioning that can allow for a clear picture of what the solution may look like even when the problem may not be clearly defined. I find one of my strengths through the use of the peer evaluation form shows that I have good techniques to ask the right questions to gain a better understanding of the problem the client is presenting.…
When compared to other therapeutic approaches, gestalt therapy is a lot less structured and much more philosophical. Perls (1969) has been quoted saying ‘One of the objections I have against anyone calling himself a gestalt therapist is that he uses a technique, a technique is a gimmick’ This being said gestalt therapists are encouraged to create their own means of assisting the client towards experiencing awareness and meaningful contact with the self and others. One of the exercises that may be used for a client in gestalt therapy is the exaggeration exercise. The aim in this exercise is for the client is to become more aware of the subtle cues and signals they are sending through their own body language. The person is asked to exaggerate…