Reference no: EM132292549

Discussion 1: Reality therapy and choice theory

Reality therapy and choice theory represents a sharp departure from traditional mental health treatment; in fact, choice theory rejects the concept of mental illness altogether. Instead, counselors practicing from this theoretical orientation see mental, emotional, or behavioral "problems" as simply being ineffective solutions.

Please share an example of a mental, emotional, or behavioral problem that a person might want to address in counseling, and use what you learned from our reading on reality therapy and choice theory to reframe that problem as an ineffective solution. Be sure to incorporate key concepts such as the 5 basic needs, the "quality world," "total behavior," or the emphasis on choice and responsibility to name a few.

Discussion 2: Feminist therapy

Traditional theories of counseling and development emphasize separation and individuation as signs of optimal development and wellness. However, feminist relational-cultural theory (RCT) emphasizes that growth-fostering relationships are essential to women's well-being, and that rather than a sign of enmeshment or dependence, deriving and expressing one's identity through one's relationships is healthy and natural, as long as those relationships are healthy.

1. What, then, are characteristics of a healthy, growth-fostering relationship?

2. What are some examples of these characteristics? How have you experienced these in your own life?

3. What might be signs that a relationship is unhealthy and stifles rather than fosters growth?

When responding to your classmates, address the following questions as they relate to your classmates' initial posts:

• How can counselors bring these positive, growth-fostering qualities into their therapeutic relationships with clients?

• How might counselors inadvertently harm their clients by bringing these potentially growth-stifling qualities into their therapeutic relationships?

Discussion 3: Update your Spark page to include your thoughts on reality therapy and feminist therapy. Be sure to refresh your link by clicking "share" at the top of the screen.

Example prompt: After watching the interview with William Glasser, entitled Don't Lose your Child, what are your thoughts on the healthy and deadly habits he is discussing and how do you think you could apply these to your population of interest?