focus on Bowenian Family Systems?

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Q. 1

The various type of counseling model includes psychodynamic, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), gestalt, and mindfulness (Spahn et al., 2010). The effectiveness of these models can be realized when employed in various settings. In an incarceration context, it would be effective to use psychodynamic and cognitive behavioral therapy counseling models. Using the psychodynamic approach will enable the counselor to understand the past events and experiences that are having a bearing on the present life of the client, therefore able to establish a correctional treatment. In-depth understanding of the past experiences of the client will allow the client to relieve the past burden and consider changing his or her behavior. Besides, the cognitive behavioral therapy will also be effective because the client can learn the positive thinking and behaviors which can enable him or her to discard the old bad behaviors. The individual can change negative thoughts into realistic and inspirational thoughts as well as be more open of the negative impacts.

Q.2

The primary purpose of community corrections is to ensure that the convicted individuals change their negative thoughts and behaviors to guarantee a safer community. Moreover, the counseling models that would be effective in this setting are cognitive behavioral therapy and mindfulness models. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy would be effective since it will enable the individuals to learn the positive thoughts and behaviors, therefore refraining from negative habits that can again lead to a conviction (Ivey et al., 2010). Individuals can appreciate the adverse implications of negative behaviors and thoughts, therefore accept to learn and avoid them. Besides, the mindfulness model would also be effective in this setting because it allows individuals to learn and appreciate what is around them such as smell, taste, and beauty, thus attaining inner peace which can influence healthy relationships with others. Having a peace of mind can enable the convicts to refrain from negative thoughts which can consequently lead to a repeat of offenses.

Q.3

In essence, all the counseling models aim to change behaviors and thoughts of individuals. The behavioral model is one that is usually used to change behaviors. Moreover, various techniques can be used for changing behaviors. The first method is through positive reinforcements which entail giving individuals’ rewards to encourage them to continue with a specific desirable behavior (Ivey et al., 2010). For instance, in an organizational setting, the management can offer vocational trips to employees who demonstrate desirable behaviors that influence better performance. Secondly, negative reinforcements can also be used for changing behaviors where a particular thing is revoked to promote certain desirable behavior. Thirdly, punishment can also be used for changing behavior. For instance, an individual can receive detention for bad behaviors. Penalties are usually applied to discourage individuals from particular undesirable behavior. The last method is flooding which entails exposing individuals to fearful situations or objects to influence them to change their actions.

Q.4

Behavioral approaches to counseling include cognitive behavioral therapy, system desensitization, cognitive behavioral play therapy, and aversion therapy (Jones-Smith, 2011). The cognitive behavioral therapy entails a combination of cognitive and behavioral therapies, and counseling tends to focus on how an individual’s beliefs and thoughts influence their moods and actions. The cognitive behavioral play therapy entails observing an individual to determine their pained expressions. This approach is usually used when counseling children. System desensitization emphasizes classical conditioning. The method is generally employed to treat phobias or anxiety disorders. Individuals are taught to eliminate fear with relaxation responses. Breathing and relaxation techniques are used to treat such behaviors. Aversion therapy is typically used to treat alcoholism and substance abuse problems (Jones-Smith, 2011). Here, the counselor advice individuals to associate a desirable stimulus with an unpleasant stimulus. For instance, a counselor can teach one to associate alcohol with undesirable memory to try and discard the drinking behaviors.

Q.5

Cognitive therapy is usually used to changing the thought patterns of individuals to bring about positive changes in their lives. Moreover, various techniques are used in cognitive therapy. The first technique is cognitive rehearsal where the counselor asks the client to rehearse positive thoughts to make necessary changes in his or her mind. The second method entails validity testing where the counselor tests the validity of the patient’s thoughts (Hofmann & Smits, 2008). The client is enabled to defend his or her opinion with evidence. The invalidity of the thought is exposed when an individual fails to provide objective evidence. The third technique is writing a journal where individual records different situations in the lives on a diary as well as the thoughts and behaviors portrayed in such circumstances. The individual and counselor then go through the diary to establish maladaptive thoughts as well as their solutions. The last technique is guided discovery where the counselor helps clients to understand their cognitive disruptions.

Q.6

Reality therapy focuses on problem-solving as well as making appropriate choices to attain specific goals. The primary purpose of this approach is to address issues, rebuild connections and to focus on a better future. Here, the therapist asks the clients what they want and how their present behaviors are playing a role in achieving the set goals (Lickerman, 2009). As such, the therapist and client can both explore the appropriate solutions to problems facing the client as well as make those solutions a reality. Also, both the therapist and client or patient carries out an honest analysis of the present behaviors and choices of the patient to establish whether change or modification is required to attain the set goals of the patient. Moreover, throughout this therapeutic process, more emphasis is directed towards the thoughts and actions that are within the control of the patient instead of blaming or trying to control others.

Q.7

Fritz Perls developed Gestalt therapy, and the approach is founded on the principle that humans are best seen as a whole comprising the body, soul, and mind. They are also best explained and understood when perceived through their own eyes instead of focusing on the past and bringing it into the present. The therapy states that to eliminate unresolved pain, anger, anxiety among other negative emotions, such feelings cannot be only discussed but also expressed in the current time actively (Nevis, 2014). In case this does not happen, physical as well as psychological symptoms are likely to arise. According to Perls, individuals are not meant to live up to the expectations of others and should also not expect others to live up to their expectations. Through, establishing self-awareness, gestalt therapy approach assists individuals to understand more about themselves as well as how the choices they make impact their relationships and health. Equipped with this self-understanding, clients or patients finds an opportunity to know how their physical and emotional selves are interlinked, thus develop more self-confidence that can enable them to deal with problems effectively.

Q.8

In essence, Gestalt therapy emphasizes what is happening in the present. One of the conventional techniques of Gestalt therapy is experiments where the therapist prepares various experiments to enhance the awareness of the client concerning what he or she is experiencing, doing, and how he or she is doing it. The second technique is role-playing which is usually aimed to assist clients to experience various emotions as well as better understand how they organize and present themselves (Nevis, 2014). The open chair comprises the third technique which entails a role play and two chairs that can evoke emotional scenes. Here, the client sits opposite an empty chair and imagine someone in it then communicate by asking questions as well as engaging with what they represent. The final technique includes dialogue approach where the therapist engages with the client in a meaningful dialogue to direct them towards a particular way of thinking or behaving.

Q.9

Family systems therapy comprises a form of psychological therapy that tends to assist individuals in resolving their issues in the context of their family units (Titelman, 2014). The primary assumption of family systems therapy is that whatever occurs to one family member impacts everyone in that family. Moreover, family systems therapy entails various principles. The first principle is circular causality which states that every part of the family unit affects each other in a loop. Usually, it does not matter where the therapist starts to analyze the issue in the family. The second principle is cybernetics which states that family rules often tend to govern homeostatic range. Also, negative feedback tends to enforce rules within the family unit. The third principle is a feedback loop which entails process by which a system receives relevant information to stay on course. In other words, it is a process in which the family gets information pertinent to stay on course.

Q. 10

Anger management entails the process where an individual learns to identify the symptoms of getting angry as well as taking necessary action to deal with the situation and calm down productively. One of the components of anger management is appreciating it as a normal emotion that can happen anytime when one is provoked (Walker & Bright, 2009). As such, one should understand that anger management does not prevent the feeling of anger. Nevertheless, learning how to express it is all that matters. Another important thing is that learning how to manage anger requires consistent practice. Besides, domestic abuse group interventions entail the process that is taken to address domestic abuse in the community. The most important thing to understand in this process is that domestic violence is usually influenced by many factors and identifying such elements can result in better solutions. Both parties must be assessed to establish the root of the problem.

Q.11

Batterers refer to individuals that tend to domestically abuse others which can cause both physical and emotional injuries. According to Groetsch, there exist three categories of domestic batterers. The first category refers to those that physically abuse their victims which entail biting, hitting, grabbing, burning, and choking among others. The physical injury may lead to injuries that might require medication. The second category comprises those that sexually abuse their victims. This can entail violating the bodily integrity of an individual such as rape, forced sexual contact, unpleasant sexual behavior, and sexual harassment among others. It can also include limiting the reproductive rights of individuals such as forced abortion. The last category comprises the psychological abusers who tend to use threats, intimidation, and isolation to injure their victims. For instance, one can instill fear to her or his partner through a threatening behavior such as abusing bets, destroying property, or controlling what the partner does or says.

References

Hofmann, S. G., & Smits, J. A. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adult anxiety disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials. The Journal of clinical psychiatry, 69(4), 621.

Ivey, A. E., D'Andrea, M. J., & Ivey, M. B. (2011). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Multicultural Perspective: A Multicultural Perspective. Sage.

Jones-Smith, E. (2011). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: An integrative approach. Sage.

Lickerman, A. (2009). 5 Steps To Changing Any Behavior. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-world/200910/5-steps-changing-any-behavior

Nevis, E. C. (Ed.). (2014). Gestalt therapy: Perspectives and applications. CRC Press.

Spahn, J. M., Reeves, R. S., Keim, K. S., Laquatra, I., Kellogg, M., Jortberg, B., & Clark, N. A. (2010). State of the evidence regarding behavior change theories and strategies in nutrition counseling to facilitate health and food behavior change. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(6), 879-891.

Titelman, P. (2014). Clinical applications of Bowen family systems theory. Routledge.

Walker, J. S., & Bright, J. A. (2009). Cognitive therapy for violence: reaching the parts that anger management doesn't reach. The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology, 20(2), 174-201.