Introduction
The author’s perspective:
No single model can explain all the facets of human experience
Ten approaches to counseling and psychotherapy are discussed
The book assumes:
Students can begin to acquire a counseling style tailored to their own personality
The process will take years
Different theories are not "right" or "wrong"
Where Corey Stands
He is strongly influenced by the existential approach and so believes:
Clients can exercise freedom to choose their future
The quality of the client/therapist relationship is key
He likes to use a variety of techniques:
Role playing and various techniques from cognitive and behavioral therapy approaches
Where Corey Stands
(2)
He believes:
"…counseling entails far more than becoming a skilled technician"
Who you are as a therapist, is critical
Students should experience being a "client" and feel anxiety over self disclosure, and learn to model courage and growth
It is not "sufficient to be merely a good person with good intentions"
Also essential are a knowledge of counseling theory and techniques, theories of personality, and supervised experiences
Suggestions for Using the Book
Relate readings to your own experiences
Reflect on your own needs, motivations, values, and life experiences
Apply key concepts and techniques to your own personal growth
- Develop a personalized style of counseling that reflects your personality
- Early on, read chapter 15 and skim chapter 14
The Case of Stan
(Chapter 15)
As you read about Stan ask yourself:
What themes in Stan’s life merit special attention?
- What techniques and methods would best meet these goals?
- What characterizes the relationship between Stan and his therapist?
- How might the therapist precede?
The Effective Counselor
The most important instrument you have is YOU
Your living example, of who you are and how you struggle to live up to your potential, is powerful
Be authentic
The stereotyped, professional role can be shed
If you hide behind your role the client will also hide
Be a therapeutic person and be clear about who you are
Be willing to grow, to risk, to care, and to be involved
Characteristics of Effective Counselors
Have an identity.
Respect and appreciate themselves.
Recognize and accept their own power.
Open to Change.
Making choices that shape their lives.
Choices are life-oriented.
Authentic, sincere, and honest.
Have a sense of humor.
Make mistakes and are willing to admit them.
Generally live in the present.
Appreciate the influence of culture.
Sincere interest in the welfare of others.
Derive meaning from their involvement with work.
Able to maintain healthy boundaries.
Counseling for the Counselor
In your experience of being a client you can:
Consider your motivation for wanting to be a counselor
- Find support as you struggle
to be a professional
- Have help in dealing with personal issues
that are opened through
your interactions with clients
- Be assisted in managing your countertransferences
- Corey believes "...that therapists cannot hope to open doors for clients that they have not opened for themselves."
The Counselor’s Values
Be aware of how your values influence your interventions
- Recognize that you are not value-neutral
- Your job is to assist clients in finding answers that are most congruent with their own values
- Find ways to manage value conflicts between you and your clients
- Begin therapy by exploring the client’s goals
Multicultural Counseling
Become aware of your biases and values
- Attempt to understand the world from your client’s vantage point
- Gain a knowledge of the dynamics of oppression, racism, discrimination, and stereotyping
- Study the historical background, traditions, and values of your client
- Be open to learning from your client
Issues Faced by Beginning Therapists
Achieving a sense of balance and well-being
- Managing difficult and unsatisfying relationships with clients
- Struggling with commitment and personal growth
- Developing healthy, helping relationships with clients
Staying Alive – It’s a Prerequisite
Take care of your single most important instrument – YOU
- Know how to recognize and remedy burnout
- Know how to prevent burnout
Ethical Decision Making
The principles that underlie our professional codes
Benefit others, do no harm, respect other’s autonomy, be just, fair and faithful
The role of ethical codes ~ they:
Educate us about responsibilities, are a basis for accountability, protect
clients, are a basis for improving professional practice
Making ethical decisions
Identify the problem, review relevant codes, seek consultation, brainstorm,
list consequences and decide
Client’s Rights
Clients need enough information about the counseling process to be able to make informed choices
- Educate clients about their rights and responsibilities
- Confidentiality is essential but not absolute
Exceptions:
The client poses a danger to others or self
A client under the age of 16 is the victim of abuse
The client needs to be hospitalized
The information is made an issue in a court action
The client requests a release of record
Multicultural Issues
Biases are reflected when we:
- Neglect social and community factors to focus unduly on individualism
- Assess clients with instruments that have not been normed on the
population they represent
- Judge as psychopathological ~ behaviors, beliefs, or experiences that are normal for the client’s culture
Dual Relationships
Some helpful questions:
Will my dual relationship keep me from confronting and challenging
the client?
- Will my needs for the relationship become more important than
therapeutic activities?
- Can my client manage the dual relationship?
- Whose needs are being met -- my client’s or my own?
- Can I recognize and manage professionally my attraction to my client?