Chapter 17: Conclusion

   Of the 19 theories and therapy methods I've learned about in this class there have definitely been a few I found I agree with and others I did not like at all. Of these I have chosen two to talk about a little. One of these theories, or set of theories, I found I didn't like was psychoanalysis and neoanalysis. I believe part of the reason for this may be because of the inherent belief that humans are evil by nature, while I don't believe people are good I can't go as far as say they are evil. I also strongly disagreed with the idea that everything could essentially be tied back to some kind of sexual frustration, especially the concept of Penis envy. A theory I did like however was Solution-Focused Therapy. I like the concept that everyone is capable of solving their own problems, even if they need a nudge in the right direction occasionally. I also like that solutions are not forced or pushed onto individuals rather they are grown from and defined by the individual.

Chapter 16: Mindfulness Approaches

   Mindfulness approaches in this chapter are described as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectual Behavior Therapy (DBT). These approaches share origins in cognitive and behavior therapies as well as the integration of mindfulness and acceptance principles. ACT was founded by Steven Hayes. This theory identifies 6 critical processes of human function: acceptance, being present, cognitive diffusion, self as perspective, values, and committed action. DBT was established by Marsha Linehan to treat individuals with parasuicidal tendencies, or suicide attempts and self-harming behavior without suicidal intention. The D in DBT or Dialectics refers to a holistic approach where context is important. Another construct of this therapy method, emotion regulation, refers t an individuals ability to pay attention to their emotions and decipher and understand the experiences attached to them.
   Mindfulness is an important aspect for an student placed in culturally diverse situations. The Mindfulness aspect of ACT is built up to by its other parts of being present, acceptance, cognitive diffusion and self as perspective. Each of these too are key to truly successful experiences abroad. Without acceptance a student maybe in a situation of constant rejection of all around them. They must be present in order to truly process and understand what is happening around them, as well as recognize a though as just that, a though, not an absolute truth they blindly follow. All of this can turn what should be an enriching experience into a dark stain negatively affecting the rest of their life.

Chapter 15: Narrative Therapy Video Blog

Video Title: Narrative Session with Dr. Madigan and David about Frustration 

   In this video the boy is gently coaxed to tell about his problem with frustration. This stems from his feelings of boredom and difficulty in comprehending various subject matter due to this boredom. The majority of t is linked to the stores told abut historical figures, as they are perceived as flat and unexciting. The boy believes if the stories were presented better it would help with his problem and thus his boredom. This is where the therapist steps in and suggests the boy move towards a 'preferred narrative', however rather than create it for himself directly he should create it for the 'boring' narratives of the historical characters he learns about in social studies.

Chapter 15: Narrative Therapy

   Narrative therapy is most commontly associated with the work of Michael White and David Epston. This method vies life to be a process of story telling, where our views of self and others are created or constructed through our interactions and social processes. In this therapy method human life is a series of stories fed by events and our experiences an the meanings we connect to each individual tell various types of stories such as the Dominant story , which is the main life story. Another type are the Alternate stories or stories that are hiddne yor do not fit with thee Dominant story. Problem-saturated stories are often the stories brought to counseling and will exist as an individual's Dominant story during their time. These stories are intensely influenced by the culture an individual is a part of and described using words like Thickness (for rich, elaborate stories) and Thinness (for sparsely detailed stories with few events).
   Given the importance of culture, and its influence on the ways in which an individual creates their own story, I am likely to encounter problem incidences in my future career. Such incidences may be times where cultural discourse will lead to a problem-saturated story. This therapy method places great stress on how cultural discourse, the 'truths' that influence our lives shape an individuals actions and how what they perceive as appropriate for others actions. When new cultures are introduced an individual may be forced into a position where they may question their cultural discourse, or judge another wrongly because of the differences in their cultural discourse. Either event may result in a problem-saturated story, in the form of culture shock, which then consumes their normal life.

Chapter 14: Solution-Focused Therapy Video Blog

Video Title: Solution-Focused Session with Dr. Berg and Robyn Using the Scaling Technique

   The therapist in this video uses scaling questions in order to gauge the clients perceive position on her problem. She also added a slight twist to the traditional method by inquiring about the woman's opinions of her husband's perceived scaling of her emotional reaction. Rather than ask what the client believed could change the therapist again used the husband as an example. The client had explained that she believed her husband would scale her lower than she would herself in terms of her emotional reactions (4 vs.6). In this way the therapist asked what actions the husband would see as improvements that would bring her up points.

Chapter 14: Solution-Focused Therapy

    The Solution-Focused Therapy is a mix of to separate approaches, both of which originally draw from the work of Milten Erickson. The first approach is associated with Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg. The second approach is associated with Bill O'Hanlon and colleagues. In Solution-Focused Therapy a therapist will carefully choose language used and other techniques in order to bring out the clients strengths and apply them to the problem at hand. This is one example of their belief in languages power, adding to the belief that it can create and define reality. As a result there is no absolute truth and humans, after creating their reality, may re-create  it at any sign of trouble. There are also 10 basic principles of solution-focused therapy as defined by O'Hanlon, (1) clients have resources, (2) change is constant, (3) the solution-focused therapist's job is to identify and amplify change, (4) It is usually unnecessary to know a great deal bout the complaint to resolve it, (5) I is not necessary to know the cause or function of a complaint to resolve it, (6) a small change is all that is necessary; a change in one part of the system can effect change in another part of the system, (7) clients define he goal, (8) rapid change or resolution of problems is possible, (9) there is no one 'right' way to view things; different views may be just as valid and may fit the facts just as well, (10) focus on what is possible and change able rather than on what is impossible and intractable. Solution-Focused theorist also look to point out the exceptions in the clients problem, to speak in a way that fosters and encourages change, to look specifically at peoples strengths and weaknesses rather than weakness and to focus on solutions a client will deem acceptable.
   This therapy method reminds me a lot of what I've learned thus far about helping students. In student affairs students will come with problems. It's important to approach these situation in a way that may best encourage development for the student, such as having the client solve their problem and not to have to solve it for them. This is where solution-focused therapy comes in as through this method assist students through pointing out the resources already available to him/her as well as their own innate strengths to over come the obstacle. This then will lead to a solution they not only feel comfortable with but will very likely to follow through with.

Chapter 13: Family Systems Theory Video Blog

Video Title: Family Session: Judy, Pam, and Adrian

   From this video it would seem as though the mother is using emotional Distance in order to deal with anxiety she may be feeling because of her daughter. As the daughter becomes upset, and angry at the mothers comments more and more distance and placed between them. the daughter also may be dealing with issues of self-esteem and self-worth. It sounds as though the mothers comments about appearance are quite harsh, perhaps unintentionally, and as a result could be damaging Pam's self-esteem. The comments may also represent analogical statements with a secondary meaning of Pam having the inability to take care of herself.