Professional Portfolio 7-8 pages.

COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY 2

Career Review Paper

PSYCH 495

History

Counseling psychology is one of the areas of specialization in psychology that focuses on facilitating interpersonal and personal functioning in a lifespan.

In the US, counseling psychology started due to the Second World War. There was a need for vocational training in the US military. The Society of Counselling psychology was created in the 1950s. The specialty pays attention to social, emotional, health-related, organizational, developmental, and vocational concerns. Various culturally-sensitive practices are conducted to help people resolve crises, alleviate distress, and improve their health. Counseling psychologists are likely to deal with people who suffer from anxiety, depression, family problems, and mental health issues. Counseling psychology relates to developmental psychology in that it addresses the challenges that people face in various stages of development.

Psychological theories

The two relevant counseling psychological theories are Albert Bandura's social-cognitive theory and Aron Beck’s cognitive therapy theory. The social-cognitive theory explains that learning usually occurs in social contexts. It posits that individuals acquire their behaviors from the social environment. The past experiences of a person determine how he/she will behave. Children observe the people who surround them to learn how they will behave. They observe their models including parents, teachers, peers, and actors. Children encode the behavior of these models. "The social-cognitive theory explains that observation plays a critical role in the way children learn" (Wong, 2019). Modeling also plays a crucial role in the process of learning.

The social-cognitive theory identifies various steps that are involved in observational learning. These are attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation. Bandura explained that one needed to pay attention to learn. Distraction would have negative effects on observational learning. The second step was storing information. Reproduction involved performing the learned behavior while motivation involved imitating the behavior through reinforcement. Bandura emphasized on the importance of mental states in learning and also argued that learning may not lead to change.

Aron Beck's cognitive therapy theory was initially developed to treat mental health disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and depression. The theory could be used to resolve negative thoughts that people develop. Almost everyone develops bad thoughts that make him/her feel bad. Beck's cognitive therapy theory posits that the experiences of people result in their cognitions or thoughts. "The cognitions are connected with schemas that are the core beliefs people develop from their early life…" (Goodyear et al, 2016). Beck believed that distorted thinking and negative attitudes cause disorders.

The cognitive therapy theory posits that behavior is influenced by the thoughts of a person. Cognitive therapy aims to identify and alter the negative beliefs of people and improve their behaviors and lives. “Cognitive therapists believe that experiences such as depression are caused by distorted and negative thinking…” (Goodyear et al, 2016). Cognitive therapy enables clients to learn about connections between automatic thoughts and emotional responses. Examples of cognitive distortions include overgeneralization, mental filters, and jumping into conclusions.

Research methods

The two research methods commonly used in counseling psychology are participant observations and focus groups. Qualitative research methods have increasingly been used in the field of counseling psychology. Counseling psychologists often use participant observation to collect information from clients. The counselors join a specific group and get involved in their daily activities to collect data. They also ask questions to collect various data. "The counselor is involved in a question and answer session with a respondent as he/she deals with the issues raised using the information provided" (Wong, 2019). Counseling psychologists have also utilized naturalistic observation to study the behavior of various clients. This has included involvement in the natural settings of the clients.

Researchers in counseling psychology have equally utilized disguised and undisguised observation. Disguised observation occurs when the respondents do not know whether or not someone is observing them. Because of the possibility of respondents to change their behaviors, counseling psychologists have often used disguised observation. However, they have also used undisguised observation because some of the respondents’ behaviors are subconscious. Focus groups are also utilized in counseling psychology. They help in identifying the perceptions of clients. “Focus groups help in answering research questions…” (Wong, 2019). However, they are often combined with other qualitative research methods.

Empirical studies

One of the empirical studies from professional literature is “Refugee youth: A review of mental health counseling issues and practices. This study involved an analysis of mental health issues that faced immigrants specifically the refugees and the role that counseling psychologists could play. A discussion of mental health issues that face refugee-youths was given. The study also gave suggestions for mental health counseling practices for the refugees. "There was a summary of key findings from previous studies and suggestions for improvement in counseling services for refugees” (Marshall et al, 2016). The results of the study can be used to provide more counseling services to refugees and conduct further research to determine the specific mental issues they face.

The second empirical study is “Counselling transgender individuals: Issues and considerations”. The study analyzed the unique life challenges that transgender individuals face and how counselors could help them. It explained that transgender individuals are at a higher risk of violence and mental health issues such as suicide. Transgender individuals experience homophobia. "The various forms of violence and lack of adequate supports could cause serious damage to transgender individuals" (Weir et al, 2018). The study highlighted the need for counselors to develop competencies on how to serve transgender individuals and solve the challenges they face. The results of the study could be used to promote human welfare by increasing more counseling services on transgender individuals because they face more issues than other people.

Occupation

The specific occupation I intend on entering is art therapy. This involves the use of art to help people explore their emotions and thoughts in unique ways. There are several tasks that occupational therapists are required to perform. First of all, they have to engage with their clients during art sessions and build rapport. Art therapists design and conduct art therapy sessions. They are tasked with helping clients to recover from emotional, physical, or cognitive impairments. "Art therapists must write case summaries, treatment plans, and reports related to their clients" (Woolfe, 2016). They should also observe the client's reactions and progress and ensure that they document them. I have decided to pursue this path for my love of psychology and Art. I did not want to compromise my passions for the sake if a traditional or lucrative career. Therefore, when I discovered this field as a branch off of counseling psychology, I made it my mission make it happen. I have already completed my minor in fine art, and I will shortly be complete with my psychology major.

Short after the completion of my bachelors degree I intend to continue onto graduate school in pursuit of a Masters degree in Counseling. Being an Artist and having been using Art subconsciously as a form of therapy my entire life will make the transition into this career path seamless.

Knowledge, characteristics and skills

The specific knowledge, characteristics, and skills one needs to succeed in art therapy are:

Skills

a. Active listening- one needs to give full attention when other people are talking to understand their points.

b. Speaking- the ability to pass information effectively

c. Critical thinking- one needs critical thinking to identify solutions to various problems.

d. Social perceptiveness- one should be aware of the reactions of others.

Knowledge

A. Psychology- one should have adequate knowledge of psychological research methods, personality, and human behavior.

B. Counseling and therapy- adequate knowledge of diagnostic procedures and rehabilitation of various dysfunctions.

C. Fine arts- one should be able to compose and produce visual arts, drama, sculpture, music, and dance.

D. English language

Characteristics

a. Speech clarity

b. Oral expression

Specific curricular and extracurricular opportunities

Classes and internships during undergraduate education have helped me gain knowledge, skills, and the characteristics required in art therapy. During classes, knowledge of psychology, therapy, and fine arts were gained. The techniques required to produce works of dance and music were gained through research and practice. Skills such as speaking, active listening, and social perceptiveness were gained during the internship because it involved solving real-life problems that various people were facing.

REFERENCES

Goodyear, R., Lichtenberg, J., Hutman, H., Overland, E., Bedi, R., Christiani, K., ... & Grant, J. (2016). A global portrait of counseling psychologists' characteristics, perspectives, and professional behaviors. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 29(2), 115-138.

Marshall, E. A., Butler, K., Roche, T., Cumming, J., & Taknint, J. T. (2016). Refugee youth: A review of mental health counseling issues and practices. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 57(4), 308.

Rochat, S. (2018). Examining motivational interviewing in career counseling from a motivational system theory perspective. British Journal of Guidance & Counselling, 46(5), 632-643.

Weir, C., & Piquette, N. (2018). Counselling transgender individuals: Issues and considerations. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 59(3), 252.

Wong, P. T. (2019). Second wave positive psychology's (PP 2.0) contribution to counseling psychology. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 32(3-4), 275-284.

Woolfe, R. (2016). Mapping the world of helping: The place of counseling psychology. The handbook of counseling psychology, 5-19.