Personal Position paper on Psychotherapy Essay

IntroductionPeople be ceaselessly changed by disasters, and separate sprightliness events,but they need non be damaged by them. -John D. weaverbird When we study human style, specifically snaping on the development of mortalality and crucial to how a somebody or singular conducts him/herself, psychology offers a variety of dimensions. The excogitation of genius is central to our attempt to apprehend ourselves and opposites and is part of the way in which we account for the differences that contribute to our non-homogeneous(prenominal)ity. Psychologists sport been particularly concerned with shaping of the temperament in relation to genetic and environ intellectual influences. We take a crap been fortunate that the study of human personality has been well-to-do and fruitful. We fuck choose from as m whatsoever models we can to help us see ourselves part and carry on well(p) relationships. In the course of our study, every individual counselor therapist eventuall y develops his/her own burn down in the remedy plow. The path that the practician takes concerning his/her choice of flack or model depends a exercise set on his/her own personal preferences, personality and witnessing of human nature. An eclectic approach is usually the concern that anyone in this line of products would take however, certain emphasis is do on or so specific positions scarcely because these are the dominant theories which help guide him/her in focusing the intrinsics of the process with the leaf node. Though the attempt is verbalize to be eclectic past, the therapist shut apart has this clear-cut option to change or vary some details of his/her strategy along the course of the interaction or discussion phases.Discussion on that point is a need for integration not yet for its supposititious applicability but as well for its realistic usefulness. Presuppositions or philosophical conceptualizations are the pillars of any worldview, and to succ essfully establish a untested one requires that changes or reinforcements be made at this plane. The integrative approaches were framed at this level so as to hold mental oppositions as they arise every time in ones thoughts. When this is not adequately bulge out down, no audience can align their thoughts or under boothing with what the author tries to stupefy. This report card is an attempt to convey a personal understanding of human behavior in the context of psycho redress approaches that are circumscribed for use by the author. It appreciates the accomplishments of the various approaches such as Behavioral, Cognitive-Behavioral, Psychoanalytic, Existential, Humanistic, Family Systems, Gestalt and Client- center on developments in the profession. The following reflects the views of the author in the meliorate process of the mind and emotions. Key Concepts of My Approach It is at that placefore expected that though at this point I value the primary theories or perspecti ves that I am thus enumerating afterwards, this also implies that I am open to the various developments that are expectedly to occur in my dress in the future. 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 another(prenominal) of these in the following statements. I am persuaded further that key elements or themes are found all passim my own version of the approach. The smaller yet finer points behave only in the amid. For the thrust that this paper is taking, I wish to mention and so 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 schooling speculation posited by Skinner and Watson and the rest of the Behaviorism school. It assumes that the principles in learning i.e., conditioning (Associative and Operant) are effective center to effect change in an individual. Generally, the thrust of this theoretical perspective is focused on the symptoms that a person is experiencing. Just as many of the errors of the patterns of behavior come from learning from the environs, it is also assumed that an individual pass on be fit to unlearn some if not all these by using the techniques as employ found on the learning principles. To a certain extent I believe that this still unanimous kit and boodle reinforcements are effective to some extent and in some or many population then I am incorporating this side separate or distinct from the Cognitive-Behavioral approach. In behavior therapy in that respectfore, thoughts, feelings and all those break and unwanted manifestations revealed in ones activities can be unlearned and the work of a behavior therapist.The basic concepts imply extinguishing utilized when maladaptive patterns are then weakened and removed and in their place habits that are he althy are established (developed and strengthened) in a series or modern approach called successive approximations. When these (factors) are reinforced such as through rewards in intrinsic and external essence, the potential of a more than secure and steady change in behavior is developed and unwaveringly 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 control. There are different emphases within this discipline though.Some behaviorists contend plainly that the observation of behavior is the best or most expedient rule of exploring psychological 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 only appropriate subject of psychology, and that familiar psychological terms such as belief only refer to be havior. Albert Banduras cordial cognitive approach grew out of this movement. Banduras method acting emphasizes cognitive processes over 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 lymph node or patient comes into the healing relationship and the peeers role is to change or transmute the latters malad undecomposeded or error-filled animadverting patterns. These patterns may include wishful thinking, unrealistic expectations, unremitting reliving and living in the past or even beyond the present and into the future, and overgeneralizing. These habits ladder to confusion, thwarting and eventual constant disappointment. This therapeutic approach stresses or accentuates the rational or logical and positive worldview a viewpoint that takes into considerat ion that we are problem-solvers, have options in life and not that we are incessantly left with no choice as many mountain 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 patient and therapist. With the approximation that the counselor and patient together cooperate to attain a trusting relationship and agree which problems or issues need to come first in the course of the therapy. For the Cognitive Behaviorist Therapist, the immediate and presenting problem that the knob is suffering and complaining from takes precedence and must be addressed and focused in the treatment. There is instantaneous residual from the symptoms, and may be encouraged or spurred on to pursue in-depth treatment 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 unaccepted after all. In this model, issues are dealt directly in a practical way. Coaching the patient on the step by step procedure of CBT is a basic and of import 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 instance, 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 cogni ze as psychoanalysis. The psychodynamic approach assumes that all behavior and mental processes reflect constant and often unconscious mind 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 conduce of a leave outure to resolve conflicts adequately. Many of the disorders or mental illnesses recognized today without a question have their psychodynamic explanation 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, 1994). Existential Therapy The Existential approach, as rear forward by Nietzsche, Kierkegaard, Sartre, Heidegger, Rollo May, and Frankl, believes that the individuals potential may 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 estimable waiting to be tapped not only by him/herself but that also when helped by a practitioner who is persuaded of this notion. It examines such major issues as free will and the challenges of exercising this free will, the issue of mortality, loneliness and in general, the meaning of life.The Therapy is effective 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 same time being realistic that certain limitations do exist and may retard the process of recovery (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, responsible and worthy of trust. Because the human mind has immense potential, the approach assesses as well that forces from the environment bear on with the individual and depending on the interplay that occurs within the individual person, the offspring will every 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. This results to an enhanced bore 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 roots 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 happening is not isolated but is a working part of a bigger context. In the family systems approach then, no individual person can be understood 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., 200 7 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 valuable. This two-fold emphasis on the present implication as experienced by the person and that another reality is that our existence is entangled actually with other aspects and parts 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 purpose 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 growth (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 dep ends on the client himself although with the facilitation and assistance of the therapist. The rationale for the counselor-at-law 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 vast 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 facilitative psychological attitudes can be provided (Rogers, 1980, p 115-117 in Rubinstein et al., 2007). This approach is very everyday today and many therapists usually incorporate this model into their own eclectic method. Rogers identified terzetto important concepts termed as conditions these are congruence, unconditional positive regard and empathy. Many in the mental health circles have these in their day-to-day jargon. In the aforementioned conditions, a person moves toward what Roger s call constructive direction when these triad conditions are afforded. The Role 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 restrain at the same 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 continuation of the healing relationship is a crucial aspect to the attainment of their goals. The therapist then must remove by all means any barrier or obstruction to the achievement of goals especially when these come potentially from the therap ist him/herself (thats me).By collaborative, again because there are set limitations on my capacities, I recognize the availability and expertness 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 comprehensive interjections that there is in the field. A therapy that is beneficial looks beyond my set style and preferences of diagnosis 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 passim (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004).. The effectiveness of therapy in counselling is dependent substantially on two factors namely, the patients cooperation, and the expertise of the therapist. Many experts in the field of Psychology have observed the si gnificant contribution of the client to the over-all process. The individuals intuition 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 fall in a desired 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 presumption to the whole package of treatment (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Since a working alliance has to be established first earlier the actual treatment is administered, 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, t he 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. curse in the part of the client is necessary for the healing process. However, because the full ramifications of the issue almost always flexible joint on the perceptions of the client, the problems and hindrances need to be addressed or at least cited for clarity and deliberation at the outset of the relationship.As hinted above, the client may be bringing (emotional) baggage into their mutual involvement which may be due to prior engagements with other professionals in the therapeutic relations, whether positive or negative. Oftentimes, in many cases, these may be liaisons which were unsuccessful, distasteful or even traumatic for a few. The author pointed out that any form of future therapy will be affected due to these previ ous 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 large-minded of illness/es or disorder/s that he may be dealing. Even with age spent in the academe will not guarantee the development of skills in handling such complex and true-to-life situations or scenarios. At times, the theoretic skills acquired, instead of enabling the new therapist, may discourage or hamper the process. This means to say that the therapist must possess more than head-knowledge he should not allow his schooling to affect him to the extent that it made him conceited with no room for more learning especially when additional knowledge are available in the patient himself. He must also have the sensitivity to employ his gut-feeling to at times, direct the course of the therapy (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004).Therapeutic relationships are almost always exhausting, but it will be an undesirable experience for the alliance partners when just one of them becomes disinterested, then as Luborsky pressed that reciprocity must be established, cultivated or maintained until the relationship is terminated, hopefully because the client is well (Horvath & Luborsky, 1993, p. 4).III. The Therapeutic Process The therapeutic process is initiated by the therapist primarily as presently as the client or others who refer or brought the patient in for the assumed long coerce of the healing relationship. It would be impossible to do all approaches at one time. By eclectic and as frequently stress, the usage of any of the methods will be dependent on the need of the patient, and other relevant information that help guide which of these the therapist will be using. The therapist then is enjoined to be able to diagnose well it is at this stage that any practitioner is well aware of the risks should he/she fail to diagnose properly 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 tractability 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 incorporation of distinct concepts within a champion framework. The important thing is that of flexibility and resilience on my part when to apply or implement which of the theories in the context of my client. It starts with the identification of specific problems and especially the root causes. When this is confidently achieved, the therapist is actually midway to attaining his/her goals which includes not only the relief of the symptom s that the sufferer is currently experiencing but especially the reduction of the occurrence if not altogether eliminated.The specific treatment goals are as well as 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 reformative 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 entertain their plan for change and control of their disorders. Helping the client set up a kind of self-help precaution program is a very effective strategy to pursue within the relationship (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004).Identifying clients in crisis disdain breakthroughs in scientific researches and the success of many crisis interventions by established churches, there are fly by night operations which prey on funding of private 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 proper 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 closing of Therapy Trauma inducing and crisis triggering situations have spiraled its occurrence and in its primacy in the US and in many other countries in recent years. Its broad spectrum ranges from the national disaster category such as that of Hurricane Katrina or the 911 terroris t 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 force-out (Teller et al, 2006).The acute crisis episode is a consequence of people who experience life-threatening events and feel overwhelmed with trickyy answer 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 patient 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 for mer 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 neither 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 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 recurring or occurring condition that s/he experiences (Rubinstein et al., 2007 Corey, 2004). Moreover, the identification of specific treatments or interventions fit to the diagnosed issue 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 conspiracy 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. Th e therapist is guided by morality and ethics of his/her profession in the proper exercise 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 qualified practitioner should the limits be reached 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 piece the individuals needs. The modality of choice at particular client/patient depends on such considerations as family support, financial constraints or financial capability, the patients preference, diagnosis, and age of patient (Rubinstein, et al., 2007). Employing the cathartic method, teach the client to examine his/her thought patterns, to discern the errors of ideal 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 wholeness and healing that which the client so need and aspire. This requires practice, or constant training and survival of the fittest 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 underlying 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 bett er help heal, cure or alleviate the symptoms. These assumptions areThere are instinctive urges that drive personality formation.Personality growth 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 business 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 modality frequently used includes dreams and free association, at times hypnosis (as preferred by either the therapist or by the client). The therapist a ctively communicates with the client in the on-going sessions. The scenario appears that a given(p) 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, role model 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-behavioral therapies the focus is on the modification or control of behavior and insight usually becomes a tangential advantage.Techniques i nclude CBT through such strategy as cognitive restructuring and the current frequently used REBT for Rational Emotive-Behavior Therapy where wild 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 client concentrate on therapy and with the latter in psychodynamic therapy. Cognitive Strategies are utilized to promote 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 atmosphere however, and although the goal may be difficult to achieve, unconditional positive regard eventually, match to Rogers, encourages even the unbehaved to conform 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 Nonverbal Cues, and the Use of Metaphor (Corey, 2004 Davison and Neale, 2001). The techniques may hygienic 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 evaluation 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.