...Family counseling has a growing interest not only as a technique, but also as a theoretical approach to counseling. The number of members in the American Association for Marital and Family Therapy (AAMFT) has doubled since 1978 (M. Schoettle, personal communication, September 16, 1986). Researchers have encouraged the use of family counseling in school settings (Goodman & Kjonaas, 1984), as well as with college students (Held & Bellows, 1983). Substance use disorder treatment programs can use family therapists to apply therapeutic approaches that have been proven effective with adolescents and their families. The goal, while working together as a family, is to equip parents with the skills and resources needed to address the difficulties which may arise during adolescent years. Family therapy also fits well into the regimen of treatment in which case management is used; it has also been shown effective in home-based treatment (Comfort and Shirley, 1990; Thompson et al. 1984). References Comfort, M., and Shirley, T.E. Family treatment for homeless Treatment Quarterly. 1990; 7(21): 129-147. Goodman, R.W. , & Kjonaas, D. (1984). Elementary school family counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development, 63, 255-257. Held, B.S. , & Bellows, D.C. (1983). A family system approach to crisis reactions in college students. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 9, 365-374. Thompson, T. Brokerage model rehabilitation system for opiate dependence: A behavioral...
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...Counseling Setting: Provide a summary of the clients, agency, and services provided. If applicable, describe the agency or site supervisor’s theoretical orientation. The counseling setting is private practice in Midway, Georgia called Coastal Family Counseling. The agency is run by an established a clinical social worker. The services provided treat a multiple disorders, but the area of focus is trauma, PTSD, and mood disorders like major depression and bipolar disorder. The site super visor’s main theoretical orientation is emotionally focused therapy, but like many in the mental health field use other theories. She also uses the orientation of Cognitive Behavior and EMDR. The use of EMDR is becoming more and more common because it can...
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...Family Counseling Theory Family therapy in a nutshell is a form of therapy in which the counselor works with the entire family at once instead of individual members. Often, a family therapist will even reschedule a session if one or more members of the family aren't present. The essential theory behind family therapy is that a family is a system made up of parts and a problem with one of the parts affects the entire system. Families try to maintain stability, if one member of the family does anything out of the "norm" for that particular family; the other members of that family will fight against him or her to bring things back the way they used to be. This is problematic, especially if one member of the family is in therapy and learns new coping styles, yet the family is fighting their healthy changes. The theory that will be addressed is that of Virginia Satir. Virginia Satir was considered the Mother of Family Therapy. (Wikipedia) Satir is a Wisconsin native raised on a farm in Neillsville. At an early age, Satir was intrigued by the family and she knew intuitively that there was more that went on in families than was apparent to the naked eye. Her family moved to Milwaukee, WI in order for her to attend high school. Later she attended the Milwaukee State Teachers College, which is now called University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Satir went on to publish Conjoint Family Therapy, Peoplemaking and The New Peoplemaking (Margarita Suarez/Virginia Satir Global Network) just...
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...Family Counseling Approach: Narrative Lisa R. Murray Liberty University Online Abstract Narrative therapy is a therapeutic approach that is used alone or in conjunction with other methods of therapy. This particular method of therapy is used in family therapy to help clients focus on gaining access to preferred story lines in reference to their lives and identities the family dynamics that may affect them. The preferred story line will replace the place of the previous negative and self-defeating narratives about themselves. Helping clients within a family counseling to begin to become the author of their own story is important in many cases to overcoming multigenerational affects. Narrative therapy aids in this process. This comprehensive evaluation of narrative therapy within the structure of family therapy and the integration of faith will be constructed in the following pages. Keywords: self-defeating, Narrative therapy, multigenerational, therapeutic Introduction Narrative therapy is considered apart of the Social Construction Model. This particular type of therapy, the counselor or therapist is not a dominant entity or focal point of the process. Instead the therapist is seen as an influential individual to the client. The counselor will aid the client with the process of internalization and the creation of new stories or narratives within themselves that help them to draw new assumptions about themselves. This is done through the process of the client...
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...Abstract Through narrative therapy a counselor can help clients gain access to preferred story lines about their lives and identities taking the place of previous negative and self-defeating narratives that destroy the self. Presented in this paper, is an overview of the Narrative therapy and the Social Construction Model and several facets of this approach including poststrucuralism, deconstructionism, self-narratives, cultural narratives, therapeutic conversations, ceremonies, letters and leagues. A personal integration of faith in this family counseling approach is presented and discussed also in this paper. NARUMI AMADOR’S FAMILY CONSELING APPROACH Introduction Narrative therapy is found under the Social Construction Model. Using the Narrative approach, the therapist will not be the central figure in the therapeutic process, instead he will be influential to the client, helping him/her internalize and create new stories within themselves to draw new and healthier assumptions about who they are. This process enables clients to distract from focusing on the negative narratives which defined their past, redefining their lives into future positive stories. Narrative therapists define the problem as the problem instead of defining the client as the problem. The therapy process begins redefining the problem, externalizing it and getting it out in the open. The narrative therapist uses the questioning technique and creates alternative narratives...
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...Structural Approach to Family Counseling Beverly Manning COUN 601 – Marriage and Family Counseling I Liberty University July 5, 2013 ABST RACT Families are always growing and changing. They are considered living systems made up of many components. If families can’t adjust to change, the capability of the family and its individual members can be compromised. Structural family therapy (SFT) is a therapeutic approach that identifies that families have a lot of strengths. SFT tries to push families past dysfunctional patterns of interaction. This report details the application of the structural family therapy model, and I will specify my own therapeutic technique and explain how I would include faith into my counseling sessions. Structural Approach to Family Counseling One of the most important goals of a therapist is to understand how a family works. The family therapy movement has had the daunting task of trying to uncover the many facets of the family. Family therapy is full of many different approaches from psychoanalysis to the narrative approach. Each approach has been able to uncover a new aspect of the family. According to Nicholas (1999), the structural family therapy has had a significant impact on family therapy by introducing concepts of family hierarchy and boundaries. This allowed for the introduction to the idea of family as a new and organized strategy to cope...
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...Running head: PSYCHOANALYTIC FAMILY COUNSELING APPROACH Psychoanalytic Family Therapy Counseling Approach Liberty University 2012 COUN 601-B05 LUO Dr. Jenkins Abstract When a family’s environment becomes saturated with chronic conflict the members become unable to achieve a healthy balance and mutual respect. This turmoil needs to be neutralized rather than exacerbated, in order to gain mutual respect for all family members. Family therapy can establish the reduction of conflict among the family system. Sometimes a family member can be diagnosed with a disorder creating anger and resentment among members. The family members’ symptoms can be manifested through fear, anxiety and trepidation with in his or her unique story (Mesh et Al, 2006, ¶ 3). The uniqueness of the family unit can carry through to how this system responds to counseling. A family can benefit from recognizing the signs of panic, anxiety, and or dysfunctional communication. This recognition can allow the family unit to seek counseling to neutralize family conflict and to gain effective coping skills. I enjoyed reading Worthington’s’ Hope Focused marriage Counseling. If their is one thing that I try to accomplish through the Lord everyday with patients and families is to re-affirm belief and give hope. Re-aspiring hope can be used in our life and in counseling as a core Christian value by making God first in our lives. As Christian counselors this means teaching others to continuously seek his...
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...Life of a Counselor Coun. 6100-9, Introduction to Mental Health Counseling Kevin Feisthamel Pattie Smith November 13, 2014 Life of a Counselor As a mental health counselor one can choose what theories of practice they follow or they can have an eclectic combination of theories they utilize determined by the client and what their needs are. The professional counselor can choose what demographic of the population they want to work with and specialize in that. Or the professional counselor can broaden their practice and work with all different clients, experiencing encounters with different ages of people with different diagnosis. The truth is that a day in the life of a counselor is like no other day before. Days are always changing and there are new experiences with each client. When speaking with Dana Woods LPC, she shared what her days were like. She does in-home care as well as holding clinic hours twice a week and helping in a free or reduced-cost clinic. She travels about 3000 miles a month in order to go into areas that have little access to counseling and provides service for the rural clients. She sees both adults and children, mostly of adolescent age. They all have different issues that take different styles of counseling, however she stated that she uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy with many of her clients. A typical day for Dana would be checking in at the office for messages and reviewing the files of the clients that she is scheduled...
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...Mental health, family, marital and pediatric counselors are very important intoday’s society due to the skyrocketing rate of mental health issues. The duty ofthese counselors is to help manage and ease the pain of those suffering from issuesinvolved in these areas. Personally, I started out my education by wanting tobecome an elementary education teacher. However, once I looked into the area ofcounseling a little more, I realized this is a better fit for me. Counselors have theduties of helping their clients understand things such as diagnoses, problems andpainful experiences. After helping their clients understand these things better,counselors work on helping those people improve their well being by developinghelpful strategies to implement into their lives.The first thing I learned about in researching the career of a pediatric/familycounselor is that you are unable to practice until you obtain your master’s degree orhigher in counseling. There is no program that allows you to become a certifiedcounselor with simply a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, education is extremelyimportant. In order to get into most graduate degree programs, you need to meetcertain requirements, such as obtaining a bachelor’s degree and passing certainundergraduate prerequisite classes....
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...The student is a licensed clinical social worker. Currently, she works at a psychiatric hospital where she assess patients and refers them to the proper units or facilities in which they may receive treatment. This paper helps the student to understand the role she will play in the church community as a pastoral counselor. She will seek to identify ethical boundaries, Paradigm for Identity and Ethical Boundaries, future partnerships, and pre-counseling paperwork. Paradigm for Identity and Ethical Boundaries Paramount in any ministry is the need to adhere to a biblical code of ethics and the standards set forth; that is, a minimal standard that identifies oneself as a competent and trustworthy Christian worker. These standards are largely found within the context and framework of the Bible. As a biblical counselor or pastoral counselor it is important that one adheres to the word of God and recognizes the importance to maintain ethics and boundaries. This is to ensure that the worker is not operating according to their own flesh, but by the will and purpose of God. However, this is not a goal one can obtain on their own. In order to successfully do this one has to be connected to the Vine, in good fellowship with God, and listening for His voice when working with counselees. Trull and Carter (1993/2004) present the following items as essential boundaries for the establishment of this student-counselor’s biblical professional paradigm: 1. Education – The pastor will prepare...
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...Why I chose to become a mental health counselor Counseling others is a difficult job that requires people to listen, take notes, and respond in ways that are positive and helpful. It is important that trust be built between the counselor and the patient so that the patient will feel comfortable speaking about issues that are private or embarrassing. There are many different types of counselors including drug counselors; marriage counselors, grief counselors, job counselors, diet and exercise counselors, and others that can help people improve their lives in different ways. Counselors are trained to offer advice and listen to issues that may be bothering other people. They are not allowed to prescribe medication or expected to provide medical advice. Approximately 25 percent of North Americans suffer from diagnosable mental health issues each year. With the increasing awareness of the related social, political and economic impacts of these problems, there is a greater need for professional mental health counselors. Additionally, health care insurance providers, driving the demand for more qualified professionals, recognize most mental health counseling. After earning a master's degree in mental health counseling, most people choose to get licensed or certified in a specialty such as: • Rehabilitation counseling • Substance abuse counseling • Marriage and family counseling Mental health counselors work with individuals, groups and communities on a variety of mental health...
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...Ethics Paper: Individual or Group Therapy HSER 511 Liberty University Abstracts The paper researches the ethical issues faced in group counseling. It also shows a comparison of individual and group counseling. The paper discusses issue of confidentiality, and how it affects group counseling. Confidentiality is considered cornerstone to counseling (Kocet 2006). It is very important for the counselor to reinsure that the client understands confidentiality policies. When dealing with adolescents, confidentiality rules and regulations are the same as adults. Counselors are bound by the same rules and regulations to keep the client’s (the minor) records privileged, but in cases of immediate danger or harm to others the counselor can disclose information to the minor’s parent. I think that I was direct leader, and I utilize several of the qualifications and skills that I learned in the class. Ethics Paper: Individual or Group Therapy When seeking help, it is very difficult to decide what type of therapy to choose. Because we have different situations and problems, the decision to choose individual or group therapy could be a very hard one. Many clients choose to benefit from both individual and group therapy. Groups can be a valuable resource to clients and helping them work out their...
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...and families in need. WHAT IS OPEN ARMS MISSION? OAM is your community Food Pantry and Outreach serving neighbors residing in Antioch and Lake Villa Townships. The successful combination of volunteers and donations of community individuals, businesses, churches, clubs, organizations and schools helps us meet the needs of our neighbors challenged by stressful life circumstances. Our main focus is weekly distribution of food, milk, meat and daily necessities. Our community lives the philosophy “neighbor helping neighbor.” Throughout the year we have special programs for the community – Weekend Back Packs of food for food insecure students - School Supplies – delivery for Seniors – Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Meal Boxes - Adopt-A-Family for Christmas gifts. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FROM OPEN ARMS MISSION? Anyone expressing a need from our townships is eligible for 2 days of food per family member on a weekly basis. OAM has served 20,257 individuals between the months of January and June 2012. The items we provide at no cost may be supplementing SNAP (food stamps) or assist in reducing the cost of groceries allowing an individual/family purchase medication or pay rent, gas, utilities, etc. Counseling Each week our intake counselors listen in an effort to service our clients in a holistic way. When a need for counseling is identified, the client talks with a director to determine a plan. The majority of our clients are without medical insurance; counseling is one...
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...Case conceptualization as defined by Erford (2010) refers to “How professional counselors understand the nature of clients’ concerns, how and why the problems have developed, and the types of counseling interventions that might be helpful.” Additionally, “A good case conceptualization should effectively link a client’s presenting problem to a treatment plan as well as provide the basis for tailoring treatment to client need and expectations” (Sperry, 2005). Sperry continues by stating that “The purpose of a well-articulated case conceptualization is to better understate and more effectively treat a client or client-system, that is, a couple or family.” Assessment is the preliminary process of case conceptualization, which according to Barlow & Durand (2003) and Nystul (2006) includes “intake interviews, test and inventories, behavioral observations, and relevant information gather from other source.” A thorough assessment is important in collecting sufficient information in order to understand the underlining issue of the client. Erford (2010) argues that “a good treatment plan requires an assessment appropriate to the client’s presenting concerns and a case conceptualization that includes an understanding of what the problem is, how it developed, and how to deal with it”. Who, what, when, where, why, and how should be addressed in the assessment process and are pivotal in formulating a comprehensive case conceptualization. An accurate comprehensive assessment is...
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...of Trauma on Clients and Mental Health Counselors Examples of Trauma: For this assignment we were asked to conceptualize two traumatic events to use as examples. One man-made or natural disaster and one personal trauma. The man-made disaster I choose is a mass shooting at a college campus. The personal trauma I choose is a car accident with a family of four which leaves the father dead, but the mother and two children survive. Potential Effects on Survivors: For the survivors of the campus shooting this event may be very traumatizing. A number of survivors may experience Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Human-caused mass disasters can leave survivors felling vulnerable and questioning their safety in the world. (Shallcross, 2012). The surviving auto accident family members left without a husband and father are going to have to deal with grief and loss. The wife may need to cope with overwhelming responsibility and the children may feel anger and a sense of abandonment. Potential Effects on First Responders: One possible effect on first responders to the scene of both the campus shooting and the family auto accident may be Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS). STS presents itself much like PTSD and is caused by viewing others suffer trauma (Baird & Kracen, 2006). The first responders at both trauma sites can be effected greatly even if only at the scene for a short time. According to Baird & Kracen (2006) "the precipitating experience(s) of the...
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