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.

Chapter 13: Family Systems Theory

   Family Systems Theory states that individuals may best e understood through understanding his/her experiences as a family member. Within Family Systems Theory there are 4 major approaches: Structural, Strategic, Murray Browen's family systems theory, and Virginia Satir Existential/humanistic approach. Structural Therapy is best associated with Salvador Minuchin. This approach states that families have a structure, in which the ways families interact is dictated; subsystems, which are the natural smaller groupings families fall into; and boundaries, which are rules that dictate the parts of a subsystem. The strategic approach evolved mostly from the research of the "Palo Alto group" of the Mental Research Institute. In this approach Communication plays an important role and occurs on 2 levels: the digital, possessing a singular meaning or the analogical, possessing multiple meanings. Hierarchies are another aspect of family systems in the strategic approach. Browen's family system approach states, among other things, that individuals must balance the pulls of being together and being an individual. Finally Virginia Satir's approach; also referred to as the Human Validation Process Model, stresses the importance of self-esteem and self-worth at its corner stone.
   The Family System Theory can apply to students just a it would anyone else. As this theory states, family is interconnected and any influences on one part of the system will thus affect the rest of it. What this can mean that a student even when away form the family can be significantly affected by events occurring back home within the family system. As Student Affairs it is also important to remember that not everyone will have a family system as thought of in the traditional sense, or possibly at all. Everyone's family system will be different and we must remember to respect to be aware of this.

Chapter 12: Feminist Therapy Video Blog

Video Title: Feminist Session Dr. Moore and Helen

   In this video Dr. Moore helps Helen by validating her feelings of frustration and confusion. Helen explains her feelings of anger and it upsets her that she reacts with anger to actions or comments from her children. This anger is viewed as an over reaction, a result of her conflicted feelings at being in the caretaker role. Dr. Moore explains this to be due to a lack of respect from others for this role, that that it is seen as something to be taken for granted. he continues by stating that this in turn often leads to feelings of powerlessness that due to societies present state, there does not happen to be enough of a support system to help women in figuring this out.

Chapter 12: Feminist Therapy

     Feminist Therapy in part developed due to discontent with traditional approaches such as psychotherapy. There was no single individual to develop this therapy form but rather it evolved form the application of feminist political philosophy. Feminism as described by Laura Brown is a collection of political philosophies that aim to over throw patriarchy and gender inequality through cultural and social change. Feminist Therapy lacks theory in the traditional sense as rather than developing with in academia it developed it the field. Gender is the first central construct of feminist therapy, defining the difference between men and women. These differences are highlighted by the social and cultural treatment of raising children. Another basic principal, as apart of the Personal is Political construct, is that Feminist Theories emphasizes women's experiences as connected to external factors rather than internal as most theories present.

     Gender inequality is a major part of everyday life and a factor everybody, especially students newly entering into the workforce will encounter. In college this also may extend to the treatment of students by professors, or feeling of oppression female students may have in class. Feminist Therapy may help these students in handling these situations. Through realization that feelings they may have are due to external forces rather than internal may assist them in coping with these experiences. it can help women embrace roles to transform culture and change socially constructed roles.

Chapter 11: Reality Therapy Video Blog

Video Title: Individual: Reframing Perceptions

  In this video the client starts by talking about his crashing of his old High School's 10 year reunion. He descries this experience as 'fun' and empowering, making him feel 'larger than life'. While crashing a party can be considered a negative action to do so must have required some determination as the therapist reforms the experience to be. In following this determination we the client explain other aspects of his life, his academic achievements, his career goals to write a book. Perhaps the reformation of his actions as determination may in turn push the clients determination for a writing career.

Chapter 11: Reality Therapy

   Reality Therapy was developed by William Glasser. Reality Therapy holds that essentially humans ar positive by nature. Naivety is not apart of this however while theorists believe humans can be loving, forgiving, and altruistic, they can also be beguiled, bewildered, and selfish with their actions possibly appearing halting and horrifying to others. People also are the ones who choose their own behaviors and a 'real world' exists as based by societies consensual agreement. Reality Therapy also states there are 5 basic needs, survival, love, belonging, power, freedom, and fun. The Quality World (World of Wants) are the mental images and need fulfilling things/people that make us feel good due to their need satisfying nature. Total Behavior encompasses the 4 components of acting, thinking, feeling and physiology. Of these behaviors acting and thinking are more easily under a humans control than feelings and physiology however these last two generally follow the first two. The basis of Reality Therapy is Choice Theory which states we choose everything we do including feelings of pain or misery however we cannot choose the actions/behaviors of others only ourselves.
   In a college setting student will be introduced to new experiences and environments. This may throw a students Quality World askew as, fulfilling their needs may become more difficult or people/things that previously fulfilled these needs are no longer available. This may cause a student to choose actions that are viewed as negative in accordance to society in the attempts of fulfilling these basic needs. As student affairs we may have the responsibility to help these students. Guide them in focusing on the here and now while working towards making new choices.

Chapter 10: Cognitive Therapy Video Blog

Video Title: Cognitive Approach

   In this video we can see some of the client's maladaptive schemas. One such schema involves his view on others. The therapists indicates the clients thoughts that 'others' are not trustworthy, and won't be there when he would need them most. The client reaffirms this statement by adding his belief that f he does not assiciate with them he then won't need them. All of this displays the maladaptive schema of 'People can't be trusted' as apposed to the adaptive schema of 'People respect me'.

Chapter 10: Cognitive Therapy

  Cognitive Therapy is best known and related to the theoretical structure developed by Aaron T. Beck. Cognitive Therapy takes a neutral stance on human nature, looking at human qualities only through an evolutionary perspective. Another key point is that humans create their own meaning form their experiences. The cognitive model, one of the key constructs, possesses three levels: the automatic/preconscious, which are our survival thoughts and largely out of awareness, the conscious is our normal thinking, and the metaconscious or our ability to think about our thinking process. Schemas organize received information like ideas and experiences thus shaping our perceptions on this information. A schema is also a grouping of expectations, images and perceptions or automatic thoughts, associated with certain concepts. Whether these automatic thoughts and schemas are good or bad is another matter.
   In my future career the way these schemas are arranged by the students experiences may need further guidance. Stereotypes and implicit biases will certainly fall into there own schema. Dependent of these biases and certainly with all of the stereotypes these perceptions could easily cause harm to others. By guiding students into awareness of their biases they may begin to realize harmful effects and look towards reorganization of schemas. New experiences can be assessed in a new light.

Chapter 9: Rational Emotive Therapy

   Rational Emotive Therapy was developed by Albert Ellis. This theory holds o to the concept that a humans, thoughts, feeling, and emotions are completely controllable by that individual. No one can be made to feel, think or do anything; it is a choice. He also stated that behavior is influenced 80% by biology (innate) and 20% by the environment. Despite these behavioral influences people have the capability to recognize what are good and bad behaviors and can subsequently choose to change those behaviors. In this theory humans are motivated  by the overall goal of 'surviving and being reasonably happy' in various situations such as when done, in social situations, working or in school, and others. A construct of this theory is the ABCs, where the A represents an antecedent event/activation experience/adversity/ After A, B or Beliefs, are then activated to serve as a filter for C, the consequences of the activating experience. These beliefs also may fall into two categories, rational or irrational. Goals are something everybody has an d when a goal is thwarted an 'activating experience' occurs. It's  also important for people to be able to recognize and separate the good and bad behavior of people form judgements of worth, good/bad behavior does not equal a good/bad person. The final construct is secondary disturbances which occurs when a new disturbance or activation experience triggers the ABC cycle and then due to poor reaction , such as irrational beliefs causes a new disturbance cycle in response to the negative consequence.
    Irrational beliefs are not uncommon in a university setting. Some student may easily believe that they must get good grades and succeed academically. This belief may further be pushed by parental and/or cultural influences. Some Asian Americans for example live under the concept of the "Asian F", successful grades are everything. This being the case an activating experience such as a bad grade could lead to a negative consequence such as unhealthy negative emotions. In following rational emotive therapy we may help students realize that they are responsible an able to control and change these thoughts and feeling that they cant be controlled by them.

Chapter 8: Behavior Therapy video blog

Video Title: Cognitive Behavior Therapy

The actions described in this video remind me of the Operant Conditioning model. The clients drug addiction has been reinforced by his environment as he would behave one way (drugs and Alcohol) and get a perceptually positive response (social acceptance). The therapist in this is trying to introduce new, opposite reinforcers for behavior that is not 'bad' like drugs and alcohol. These actions included settling down, going back to school, and writing a book. Each example shows the client his own capability to control his life in positive directions.

Chapter 8: Behavior Therapy

   Behavior Therapy is focused upon human behavior rather than traits. It can generally be called Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy although some behaviorist disagree with the Cognitive part. There are 3 main approaches to behavior therapy: Classical conditioning, Operant conditioning, and observational learning. Classical conditioning is best connected to Pavlov. In this method behavior is believed to be 'wired in' for evolutionary reasons, through classical conditioning this behavior can be 'rewired' to respond to different stimuli. Operant conditioning was developed by B.F.Skinner. This model states that behavior operates in the environment to create consequences or reinforcements. Of these reinforcements there are positive, which would increase behavior likelihood when somersetting good is presented. With negative reinforcements behavior occurs as a result of bad stimuli the last model is observational learning which was developed by Bandura. This model states that behavior is learned through observing the behavior performed by other.
   On specific observational learning may relate to students in various Counseling Theories and Techniques Online Class Web Pages ways. This may be through the simplest of student learning material in classes as expected or cultural such as freshman or international students. A college is a culture of it's own in the this way new student will need to observe the behaviors of others, upperclassmen, in order to learn how to act appropriately in the new environment to best fit in. Similar can be stated for international students as coming from a culture, where behaviors may differ from those that are socially acceptable in the U.S. will need to observe, learn, and mimic in order to adapt and integrate. Problems may arise as observed behavior may not be necessarily considered 'good' behavior (drinking, illegal substances etc.). It's in these cases that as professionals we may need to get involved.

Chapter 7: Gestalt Therapy video blog

Video Title: Child: Role Play

The cycle of awareness for the boy seems to be disrupted as he experiences a sensation (such as at his father's), becomes upset and then releases that anger later directed toward the mother. This anger displacement may be a sign of projection. The boys anger, towards the father is an unwanted feeling and is then projected onto the mother. Retroflection may be another occurrence as rather than direct his feeling appropriately, he inappropriately directs them towards his innocent mother. The boy seems to be aware of this and has a rationalization, but he also realizes that it is wrong.

Chapter 7: Gestalt Therapy

    Gestalt Therapy is best known to be associated with Fritz Perlz. The basic idea behind Gestalt Therapy is that humans are growth oriented, where physical and psychological aspects are inseparable from each other. An interesting part of Gestalt Therapy is the emphasis on creativity where a healthy individual is expected to go against social norms. Gestalt Therapy states human motivation to be the drive to satisfy needs and to regulate the organism (mind and body) so it can grow. The first construct is contact, which refers to the connection of the individual through hearing, talking, smelling, touching, moving etc. and the environment. Needs is the next construct. A Gestalt is a German word that can means whole or figure in which an individual can perceive a figure or object as well as something in the background. As humans we seek to satisfy our needs such as making things 'whole'. Once this need has been satisfied it is then destroyed. Polarities is a third construct which emphasized the fact that everyone and everything possesses opposites. The final construct is contact disturbance in which the cycle of awareness (sensation > awareness > mobilization > full contact > withdrawal > assimilation) is disrupted. This may happen through introjection, projection, confluence, and retroflection.
    When working with college students it would not be unexpected for a student to experience a contact disturbance. Specifically confluence may occur as students, in an attempt to fit in, may reject or loose their self. Instead adapting completely to the environment or to the people in the environment with no regard to true self. Introjection is also a easily possible occurrence as a student may encounter any number or new experiences in college or study abroad life but never truly fully digest these experiences to allow for better understanding.

Chapter 6: Existential Therapy Video Blog

Video Title: Existential Therapy

In some ways it seems as though the women is aware of her own freedom. She describes the situations her decisions have gotten her into and her feelings as a result. Because of these feelings she has now taken a position of "no one to blame but myself" since she was free to make those decisions. In some ways she may be feeling Existential guilt as her decisions now affect her children, and she now feels it is necessary to do all she can to make the transition easiest on them at her own expense. The self mocking also may be a defense mechanism in order to mask her anxieties. She turns to humor to try and mask her inner sadness not only from other but from her self as well.

Chapter 6: Existential Therapy

    Existential Therapy is influenced by multiple people, the founder of existential philosophy is believed to be Soren Kierkegaard. Other notable such as Friedrich Nietsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, Emmy von Deurzen-Smith, and Victer Frankl. The basic philosophy of Existential Therapy is that humans are free and responsible for their own lives and possess the potential for self-actualization. There are two versions as to the source of motivation both based around the constructs of obtaining meaning in life. Frankl stated meaning was searched for, as each individual inherently possessed meaning but needed to find it. others stated meaning is created. The central constructs of this theory consist first of the modes of being of which there are four, Umwelt (physical world), Mitwelt (social world), Eigenwelt (inner psychological), Uberwelt (spirituality). A human must attend to each of these realms to be authentic. Anxiety is the next construct, it  is normal for every being and occurs as a result of the desire to survive, protect and assert ourselves. The ultimate concerns are described as themes of Death, Freedom, Meaning and Isolation. Finally the last construct defenses is a reaction due to humans anxieties.
    This method may be applicable to many different student situations. For example student entering into college with a particular plan in mind, major, career path etc. Students such as these have found and/or created meaning in their life. Sometimes the culture of the campus or other situations may cause a student to rethink the previous plan, to look for something new. The loss of meaning can be hard for a student in the in-between of the loss and the next steps towards recreation. In this situation the method of Existential therapy may be best utilized.

Chapter 5: Person-Centered Therapy video blog

Video Title: Nonjudgmental Listening Cycle and Goal Setting

The woman in this video appears to have developed a self-concept of a over-responsible, creature of habit/dislike of unanticipated events type of person. Apart of this is thinking far and hard into changes and decisions which sometimes leads to unnecessary anxiety. This may be an aspect of herself she devalues so her ideal-self may not include this aspect of herself. Her trip to Africa for professional development seems to fit right into the main part of the theory for humans desire to grow to their full potential. The experiences and activities she is pursuing abroad will add to her skills and experiences leading to new growth.

Chapter 4: Individual Therapy Video

Video Title: Beginning Diagnostic Assessment

In this video the women seems to feel as though her current situation is at the top of the world. She displays many characteristics of feeling superior despite events in her life that may have caused her some inferiority feelings. The therapist pointed out some of the aspects of her childhood, hardest worker, best grades, helped around house most, etc. These  all sound not only like the words of an oldest sibling, as he states, but as someone striving to gain superiority. However, her emphasis on her feelings in needing to please others shows she has connection to social interest and possibly some inferiority feelings. She has interest in others and their opinions and views, an acts according to this.

Chapter 5: Person-Centered Therapy

Person-centered therapy was founded by Carl Rogers. At the center of this theory stands the philosophy that humans are inherently good, and human behavior is the result of the need to grow and develop with other humans. This is similar to a humans motivation as they strive to grow to their full potential in positive ways as a way to maximize their whole being (organism). This theory has 6 constructs; Experience, which is everything going on internally for an individual and/or a process of receiving whats happening around and inside an individual. Organismic valuing process is the evaluation and measurement process used to determine if an event contributes or detracts form growth. Self is a label for some of the experiences of an individual, self-concept being all experiences recognized on me and ideal self being what the person would like to be. The self-actualizing tendency is the inclination of growth and maximization of the elf. It is also said that humans have a need for positive regard and self-regard, in other words value feelings of love from others and have need for a positive value of themselves. The last construct is conditions of worth, this too refers to the humans need to feel loved, this need will lead individuals to go to great lengths to acquire it, eve denying parts of themselves they may perceive to be unliked by significant others.

This theory may apply in the future to student who study abroad. When in a foreign culture, a foreign land it is not out of the question for in congruence to occur as culture shock, specifically the frustration or rage stage. The view a student would have of themselves may not coordinate with the experiences occurring in the new culture and both are highly influence d by the culture each respectively. As according to rogers helping students through this culture shock would be a mater of assisting them back into congruence. Bringing the student sense of self aligned with his/her experiences.

Chapter 4: Individual Psychology

Individual psychology theory was founded by Alfred Adler. This theory states humans are motivated by the strive for superiority as well as the need to belong. Ultimately motivation falls to how the individual reconciles these two desires. The constructs for this theory are compromised of five areas; life style, social interest, inferiority feelings, basic tasks and basic mistakes. Lifestyle is the plan developed at an early age which guides an individual’s entire life including perceptions and actions in the world. Social interests is the measure of an individual’s interest in how much that individual cares for and shows interest in they’re society.   Inferiority feelings (complex) are a normal part of life without these feelings there would not be progress as humans strive for superiority. Basic tasks consist of three problems communal life, work, love or intimate devotion expressed towards a partner. Finally basic mistakes are distorted attitudes about self, the world and people, also distorted attitudes about self, the world and people, also distorted goals, methods of operation, ideals and conclusions.                      

                While working with international students it’s not uncommon to have student who originate for very wealthy backgrounds. Some of these students have been allotted privileges from early age, such as a pampered childhood with servants or even cultural privileges such as those some male student form Islamic countries have. In this way, as is stated by Adler, the student never learns how to tackle life’s problems as superiority has been handed to him form a young age. As Individual Psychology also states these feeling of superiority may actually be a mask for the real feelings of inferiority. Through Assessment of each individual situation, a situation such as this may be assisted by other techniques such as goal setting, interpretations, encouragement to introduce natural and logical consequences or creating images.