Reference no: EM133541455

Homework

Instructions

When working with clients/students it is important that we as counselors are purposeful with our words, use of skills, use of techniques, and our exhibited behaviors. Theory is what helps to guide how we conceptualize client situations and work with our clients and students.

We will introduce you to a small handful of different theoretical approaches. For each homework you will be provided a case scenario. You will also be offered the opportunity to choose which theoretical approach to apply to the case scenario.

I. Presenting Concern/s:

Question 1. Identify which of this week's theoretical approaches you will use to conceptualize the case and why.

Question 2. What do you see as the client's presenting concerns/basic conflicts?

Question 3. Based upon the concerns you identified, discuss which you would address first and why based upon the theoretical approach.

II. One Central Concept of the Approach:

Question 1. Identify one central concepts of the approach (other than any you previously used to answer the above question) and describe the central concept.

Question 2. Explain how the central concept is relevant to working with the client or understanding the case.

III. One Technique:

Question 1. Identify one strategy or technique you could use with the client and describe the strategy or technique. How would you implement this strategy or technique.

Question 2. Discuss why you chose the technique for use with this client.

Question 3. Clarification Note: In your last homework, I clarified what is considered to be a counseling approach as well as a central concept. Now you are being introduced to the term techniques. Techniques in counseling are formal strategies, often associated with specific theories, in which you may use to assist your clients grow and make changes. For example, if you selected Gestalt therapy as your approach this week, one central concept of the approach is helping client resolve unfinished business. One strategy (a.k.a., technique) you might use to do that could be an empty chair technique (for example, a client with unfinished business with their deceased father may benefit from the empty chair technique to help them resolve their unfinished business).

IV. Strengths and Limitations:

Question 1. Analyze one strength of the approach for working with the client.

Question 2. Analyze one weakness of the approach for working with the client.

V. Reflection:

Question 1. Provide at least one example of how you could apply any strategy, technique, or concept of this theoretical approach to an area of your life to learn something about yourself personally. Also, explain what you learned.

Question 2. What challenges did you encounter when attempting to apply an aspect of this theoretical approach to your life? Provide at least one example.

Question 3. Did you notice any cultural limitations/obstacles to applying this approach to your life? Describe the cultural limitation or explain how the approach is culturally responsive.

Case Scenario

The Case of Sherry

Sherry is a 26-year-old female that comes to see you due to problems she is having living at home with her family. She tells you that she feels dependent both financially and emotionally on her parents and that although she would like to move out and live on her own or with a friend, she is scared. "The world is a scary place and I people are cruel. Everyone is just out to step on everyone else to move up in the world. As long as I am living at home, I am safe, anywhere outside of this house, who know... It is not that I don't want to leave and get my own place, I do, but there is no way I could find an apartment on my budget in a neighborhood that is safe." Sherry further explained that she tried moving out once when she was 23, but her apartment was broken into. She was not home during the break-in, she feels that she would never be safe living anywhere on her own again.

Sherry also explained that she currently works as a bar tender. This means that she wants a safe place to come home to, because her shifts often end between 2-4 am. Sherry explains, "I really wish I could get another job. Although the money is good, the hours are horrible, and I know bar-tending can never be anything more than a dead-end job. I have become a flawed human being. I am afraid to sleep anywhere other than my parent's house, I am stuck in a job with no future, and I am 26 with no skills other than pouring drunk people drinks. I feel worthless, and I will always be a worthless bar-tender that is afraid to move away from home.