Personal Model Of Counseling Paper ✓ Solved
Fo637 Personal Model Of Counseling Paper
Students will write an 8–10 page paper using APA style to integrate what they have learned about counseling theories and themselves as a counselor. The theory will then be applied to a case of the student’s choice. The person can be in film, a TV show, or any popular character in the media. The paper should answer the following questions in this four-section format.
SECTION 1 Describe your personal theory of change. What is my current personal theory counseling about how to effectively assist others?
Be specific and discuss which combination of theories (minimum of two) best fit your personal style and the clientele you intend to work with. If you are unsure in what setting you want to work, then please choose one to help you formulate your personal theory for that population/setting. Students should be mindful of how effective the chosen theories will be for the clientele chosen. Students may want to refer to the readings in this course to fulfill all requirements and may want to conduct a brief literature review aimed at filling any gaps in your paper. The discussions should also be a good source to provide some direction on determining the suitability of your theory according to the clients you may have in your career.
What specific steps will I take to enhance my personal theory and evaluating its effectiveness as I progress through my education and training?
Students may refer to the readings, the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014) and the Welfel (2016) ethical decision-making model to assist with this question. Students should name three ways they will enhance their theoretical orientation in their career. How will I continue working toward more advanced theoretical orientation given the complexity of individuals, families, and groups as I gain further experience in my advanced counseling courses and fieldwork?
What is my assessment of my own personal and professional development based on my experiences in this course? Reflect on what you learned about yourself and how your personality may benefit or distract from your chosen personal theory.
SECTION 2 The next section of the paper will use this theory to demonstrate the ability to apply theory and case conceptualization to a novel individual as portrayed as a character from literature, film, or play. You will identify presenting problems, needs, and concerns that will lead to a diagnosis. The paper will include relevant background information with a case conceptualization and treatment plan. More specifically, the student should write a description of the character, including relevant history and current events, as well as social, emotional, and behavioral aspects of functioning.
The reader should be able to obtain a vivid picture of the character from the description. Following the description, the student should write a comprehensive case conceptualization that uses the Sperry & Sperry format and that makes explicit and detailed use of the theoretical model identified in the personal theory of change section of the paper. The student will include all 4 components and 17 elements to inform the clinical conceptualization and treatment plan. Note that purely intervention models, e.g., Motivational Interviewing, EMDR, are not appropriate for this assignment; the theory must be a formal theory presented in class.
SECTION 3 Students will also describe their view of how people change during the therapy process. This analysis should include ideas regarding the role the therapist plays in this change process. Also, the role of the therapeutic relationship and the development of the therapeutic alliance should be discussed in regard to the process of change. Your knowledge of the common factors of psychotherapy can be helpful in developing this section of the paper.
SECTION 4 This last section entails writing 1–2 in-depth paragraphs on who you would refer the individual to during and/or after counseling. It is important in the field of counseling and therapy to understand your limitations of competence and to refer clients to appropriate referrals. This leads to increased interprofessional consultation and competence.
Please ask your instructor if you have any questions about this section. Additional Details The student should include at least three (3) references using primary sources, e.g., if the student wants to use psychodynamic theory in case formulation with a brief dynamic therapy model as treatment strategy and techniques, then a paper by Hanna Levenson, Hans Strupp, Jeremy Safran, etc., should be referenced; if the student wants to use behavioral theory that describes the clinical formulation in the frame of behavioral theory and make use of systematic desensitization or social learning as part of treatment interventions, then B.F. Skinner, Joseph Wolpe, Albert Bandura, etc., should be referenced; Cognitive Theory, Aaron Beck, Judith Beck, etc. The paper must be written in APA format. Grammar, punctuation, and writing style do count in the grading of this paper.
Paper For Above Instructions
In the realm of counseling, the integration of theory with personal belief systems is crucial for effective practice. Personal theory of change stems from a profound understanding of both individual and systemic factors influencing human behavior. In my counseling practice, I gravitate towards a combination of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy. CBT provides a structured framework that can help clients identify and challenge dysfunctional thought patterns, while Person-Centered Therapy emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and unconditional positive regard, which facilitates self-exploration and personal growth.
Step one in enhancing my personal theory involves ongoing education and training in these modalities. Engaging with academic literature and attending workshops can provide deeper insights into advanced techniques that can be utilized in practice. For instance, I plan to explore techniques grounded in narrative therapy that complement CBT by allowing clients to re-author their life stories (White & Epston, 1990). Additionally, I will actively seek supervision and mentorship from experienced counselors, enabling me to refine my theoretical orientation and practice through constructive feedback.
Furthermore, evaluating the effectiveness of my theory will be essential as I progress through my educational journey. Implementing regular self-reflection and soliciting client feedback after sessions will help gauge the practical application of my theoretical models. Periodic assessments will inform necessary adjustments to my approaches, personalizing them to meet the diverse needs of clients effectively.
Assessing my own personal and professional development, I recognize that my background in cultural competency greatly influences my therapeutic style. I aim to create a safe and inclusive space for all clients, which aligns with the tenets of Person-Centered Therapy (Rogers, 1961). However, I also acknowledge that my empathetic nature might lead to emotional fatigue, thus emphasizing the need for self-care strategies to prevent burn-out as I navigate challenges working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
The integration of my personal theory with practice will be exemplified through a case conceptualization of a character from a popular television show, "The Sopranos." Tony Soprano, as a character, exhibits significant internal turmoil, manifesting through anxiety and depression. His complex background, including the pressures of familial expectations within organized crime, sets the stage for his psychological struggles. The presenting problem involves Tony's difficulty in managing stress and navigating his dual roles as a mob boss and family man.
Using the Sperry & Sperry format, the treatment plan will include detailed assessments that reflect both cognitive distortions and emotional vulnerabilities. CBT strategies will emphasize identifying Tony's negative thought patterns and reframing them to foster healthier coping mechanisms. Concurrently, Person-Centered Therapy techniques will facilitate the therapeutic alliance, emphasizing empathy and authenticity to promote trust in the counseling relationship (Corey, 2016).
In therapy, the change process requires recognition that transformation is not solely reliant on the therapist's skillset but also on the strength of the therapeutic relationship. The alliance serves as the foundation upon which clients can explore their vulnerabilities and engage in meaningful self-discovery (Norcross, 2010). It is essential to cultivate this alliance through consistent validation and support, creating a safe environment conducive to exploration.
After conceptualizing Tony's case, a referral to a psychiatrist would be considered necessary for medication management, given his ongoing struggles with anxiety and depression. Understanding the limitations of my competencies, it is essential to recognize when to collaborate with other professionals to ensure comprehensive care. This collaborative approach enhances the therapeutic benefit for clients (Kottler & Shepard, 2015).
In conclusion, my personal model of counseling intertwines cognitive-behavioral and person-centered approaches, reflecting a deep commitment to both theory and practice. The path to developing my therapeutic style is ongoing, shaped by continuous learning, self-assessment, and collaboration with clients and colleagues. As I delve deeper into the counseling profession, I remain dedicated to fostering positive change through effective therapeutic relationships, rooted in empathy and understanding.
References
- Corey, G. (2016). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Cengage Learning.
- Kottler, J. A., & Shepard, D. S. (2015). Introduction to Counseling: Voices from the Field. Cengage Learning.
- Norcross, J. C. (2010). Psychotherapy Relationships That Work: Evidence-Based Responsiveness. Oxford University Press.
- Rogers, C. R. (1961). On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
- White, M., & Epston, D. (1990). Narrative Means to Therapeutic Ends. Norton & Company.
- American Counseling Association. (2014). ACA Code of Ethics. Author.
- Welfel, E. R. (2016). Ethics in Counseling & Psychotherapy. Brooks/Cole.
- Levenson, H. (1991). Brief Dynamic Therapy: A Handbook. Wiley.
- Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Basics and Beyond. Guilford Press.
- Bandura, A. (1977). Self-Efficacy: Toward a Unifying Theory of Behavioral Change. Psychological Review, 84(2), 191-215.