issues, examine the problems being discussed, and guide the patient through
a means of reaching a resolution through self discovery.
There are various other techniques that a therapist may elect to utilize,
predicated on what the therapist believes to be the most effective approach
based upon the circumstances, time constraints, and the severity of the case
at hand.
Aspiring psychologists who are interested in direct patient care must be
emotionally stable, mature, be active listeners, and be able to deal effectively
with people. Sensitivity, compassion, and the ability to lead and inspire
others are particularly important qualities for clinical work and counseling,
and these are some of the qualities that the writer possesses and espouses.
These referenced qualities were thematic to a large extent in much of the
readings and curriculum the class as a whole was exposed to, and more
specifically detailed via readings in Carl Rogers book “On Becoming a
Person” and via Irvin Yalom’s book “The Gif of Therapy.”
Both writers seem to use a similar theoretical framework of reference, where
each approach appears more person centered or psychodynamic.
The writer is a communicator and has an educational background in
English, American Literature, and a minor in philosophy. He has strong
conflict counseling resolution knowledge, analytic abilities, and has been
employed in a social service capacity with a focal emphasis on the legalize
aspect of the mental health care industry. As a result, the writer brings a
broader array of skill, maturity, case management practice, experience and
understanding for the nature of counseling psychotherapy.
The writer has chosen to pursue the field of counseling psychology
because he has some of the pertinent requisite skills required, and previously
discussed, and he also has an interest to work with and help others. Being
helpful to others is the real key here, because there is a personal satisfaction
gained through aiding someone in need.
Further, the writer also has an interest in working with juvenile delinquents,
the criminal population, the field of law, and wanted to gain valuable
deductive insight in counseling psychology, and perfect his problem solving
ability.
As a first semester graduate student at Cambridge College the writer
was given a reasonably fair exposure to some of the multitudes of
psychological theoretical concepts.
Psychological concepts and theories were presented as tools to better
associate, provide exposure to, and distinguish the type methodical practice
that would best suit one’s individual nature, interest and style.
The initial theories that were predominant and central to Professor Taylor’s
classes were espoused through readings by Carl Rogers and Irvin Yalom, in
their respective books titled: “On Becoming a Person” by Carl Rogers, and
“The Gift of Therapy” by Irvin Yalom.
The fundamental similarities in each work is pivoted on the clear cut
humanistic approach each writer illustrated through the medium of their
years of personal research and experiences with private clientele.
The most important core concepts and values that may have emanated from
Carl Rogers and that are germane to the writer’s understanding centers
around his ideas of “client centered therapy” more commonly referred to as
“personal centered therapy.” Other key concepts that Rogers espoused are
contained in some of the terms he coined such as “congruence” this terms
seems to be defined or referred to as “genuineness” honesty with client.
“Non- judgmental attitude” refers to the stance one takes towards others
related to their own personal conditioning and life experiences, and from this
we learn not to judge others or reserve opinions by classifying behavior, but
we should adapt an empathetic response and approach based on the whole
person’s life experience and circumstances.
Rogers' famous requirements of the therapist. Rogers felt that a therapist,
in order to be effective, must have three very special qualities:
1. Congruence -- genuineness, honesty with the client.
2. Empathy -- the ability to feel what the client feels.
3. Respect -- acceptance, unconditional positive regard towards the client.
The writer gained valuable insight in studying the concepts of Rogers,
and found some of his ideas to be instinctive, inspire ring, socially intone
with today’s vision of psychotherapy, reflective, and humanistic.
Irvin Yalom is another competing psychotherapist whose work was
given much attention throughout the course of the first semester. His book
seems to embody a collection of ideas and techniques which are presented in
a humanistic model approach, but his focus seems more concentrated in the
areas of existential dream consciousness, themed in the “here and now.”
In describing the practice of existential therapy, Yalom identifies the
importance of content and process. “Content is concerned with the exact
words that are spoken and process refers to the interpersonal relationship
between the patient and therapist; it allows us to determine what those words
mean.”
Yalom seems to suggest that a heightened awareness of the existential issues
involved in a therapy session deeply influences the nature of the relationship
between the therapist and patient.
The writer gained extensive foundational insight in reading “The Gift of
Therapy” as the book laid out simple suggestions that blended the author’s
personal experience as a clinician with professional objectivity.
The book allowed the writer to obtain much needed food for thought,
knowledge, and a base for plausible techniques that may prove useful in
the said writer’s development as a psychotherapist.
The book was divided into five sections; 1) the nature of the therapist-patient
relationship, 2) suggested methods to address ultimate concerns, 3) issues
arising in the everyday conduct of therapy, 4) dreams in therapy, and 5) the
hazard and privileged of being a therapist.
Yalom reveals, “the book is long on technique and short on theory,” but the
reader is catapulted into the caring environment Yalom creates, and that is
needed by both patient and therapist.
The writer also found value via demonstrations of in class interactive
role modalities, which allowed for the practice and strengthening of techniques
promoted by both Rogers and Yalom , and it also enabled him to better hone
his individual practice skills and emerging style.
The writer is still examining all the various building blocks that will comprise
his core foundation, and he is still acquiring depth of knowledge that will
compliment his humanistic touch, objectivity, prudence, integrity, compassion,
logic, sincerity for the field and to be of service to others and expertise.
Cognitive behavioral therapy, and concepts revolving
around reality therapy have influenced and impacted on the writer
most because it seems to compliment his philosophic countenance,
logical bearing and interactive problem solving input and ability.
In-order for this form of therapy to be most effective for the client, the
therapist must be a skilled and effective communicator, maintain the
ability to justify, rationalize, and explain, while being non judgmental.
The central focus of cognitive approaches is the individual’s thought
patterns, beliefs and how these link with self-defeating behavior.
Clients are assisted with altering any self destructive thoughts that are irrational,
and through therapy these negative thoughts are replaced with rational realistic
positive thoughts.
Cognitive behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the
importance of one’s thinking, how one feels and what one does.
The theory behind Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is rooted in
inductive reasoning methodology. A central aspect of rational thinking is that it
is based on fact, not assumptions made based on situations.
As a consequence, the inductive method encourages one to look at thoughts
as being hypotheses that can be questioned and tested, and as a result the
therapist and client interact jointly, so any new information derived can be
reassessed to affect a corrected result that fits the circumstance.
The writer gravitates toward the CBT approach of therapy because the
therapist is actively involved in assisting the client to resolve his or her issues,
and this method enables the author to utilize his problem solving analytical
abilities to isolate and focus on the concerns at hand in a disciplined manner.
Reality therapy seems comparable in many respects to the CBT
approach in terms of technique, and focuses on the present specific issues
being confronted by the client, and it seems to espouse the concept of dealing
with what the client thinks and how he / she behaves.
The Reality therapist approach differs from CBT in that the clinician may not
be as actively engaged in assisting the client resolve the problem at hand, but
he does assist the client in identifying constructive behavioral patterns that may
lead to a better resolution.
The CBT style of therapy seems complimentary to the writer’s aptitude,
interest, and may yield benefiting rewards to both client(s) and clinician,
because the writer has been able to identify his personal talents, and believes
this approach may be most effective given the skill base identified.
