Meaning-Making Forum 2

2

Julius K. Magee II

Meaning Making Forum 2

Meaning Making Forum 2

· Rapport and Relational Alignment. 

In this phase of our session, we have now going to establish with Bruce the ownership (Petersen 2015, p.109), so we can get to the openness (Petersen 2015, p.109). Bruce seems to be ready to talk about how he really feels about the situation, while he realizes that he is not the only one who is hurting. I will allow him to tell his story so that he will feel comfortable talking about his feelings and that we/I are a people that have something to offer. I want him to create a hopeful depiction of which will encourage a response from Bruce that begins the process of what he will be doing instead, rather than what he will not be doing (Kollar 2011, p.128).

I want him to come to grips with himself and realize that he is not the only one that is affected by this accident, and that he has two sons, also, that needs his attention as well. With him talking, he should come around and start accepting the responsibilities that are still in existence. Acknowledging the fact that Bruce chose to seek counseling is a plus because he knew he could not do this alone without help.

· Phase Two Distinctive Features

Goal Formation

Seeing that the trust is now in place from our last session, Bruce now must sit in the driver’s seat as an expert of self-care (Greenberg 2001, p. 1). Bruce is progressing and capable of making changes and he is experiencing a solution behavior very early on in this counseling process (Greenberg 2001, p. 1). This treatment will provide for him the opportunity to move forward of which can trigger more change. I will be able to recognize, reinforce, amplify, and compliment Bruce while going through the process (Greenberg 2001, p. 1). To prevent him from blaming himself, I must use questions that will empower him so that he does not fail instead of him seeing himself to blame and think that he is a failure (Kollar 2011, p. 130). It will help ease the tension that is on his mind.

Chief Aim

Collaborate well is very important at this point. As we continue in our session, a song came to mind, “A Change Has Come Over Me!” It goes: “A change, a change has come over me. He changed my life and now I'm free. He washed away all my sins, and he made me whole, He washed me white as snow. He changed, my life complete, and now I sit, I sit at his feet. To do what must be done, I'll work and work, until he comes. A wonderful change has come over me!” by Tramaine Hawkins. Knowing that Bruce is still a Christian, we don’t want him to stray from his roots at all. We want to remind him of this while going through his struggle.

It is very important that I suspend any judgement, assumptions, and perceptions on what drives a client’s problem so not to become the expert. All I want to do is reinforce the core belief that the client, Bruce, holds the answers to his problem (Greenberg 2001, p. 1). Always acting as if we do not know and he knows questioning him for the best to come out (Greenberg 2001, p. 1)

Role/Responsibility

As being his counselor, it is my duty to provide the best counseling method by demonstrating and using a scale to help visualize forward motion, assess progress, and clarify the picture of change (Kollar 2011, p. 131). He will be able to see where he is at and which direction that he is going. The scales will be used to measure numerous characteristics. They assess hopefulness, willingness to work toward solutions, recent change, self-esteem, and commitment to relationships, etc. ((Kollar 2011, p.131)

Guiding Assumptions

In continuing to help the client, we find that coping is a form of change, coping questions remind the client of this, particularly when life appears bleak and bereft of anything positive. These kinds of questions fortify coping behavior in the face of despair, and help the client continue to uncover exceptions and differences in trying times (Greenberg 2001, p. 2). “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14, King James Version 

Moving him forward is the goal we want to make at this time. Hopefully with a smile on his face by the time this session is over and for him to feel better about himself.

· Supportive Feedback Break. 

During our break, I would take a look at the interview worksheet (Kollar 2011, p.141), to see what progress we have made and what steps are needed to take from here. Knowing that Bruce knew he needed help in the first place, we want to make sure we cover all of the basis so as not to go off track. After reviewing the notes made, we want to make sure that Bruce is not still angry (Clinton & Hawkins 2009, p. 39), or if he is now at the grieving-acceptance stage (Clinton & Hawkins 2009, p. 131).

Bruce is still a Christian and we must recognize this at some point. What we do as a Christian counselor is crucial if we do not find some soothing scriptures to mend him while he is at whatever stage he is in. Finding stories within the four gospels that can or will relate to his situation will benefit if one is well equipped in the word of God in telling the story that will relate to his situation. His anger, his grief, his loss, the death itself, his family, etc. Being mindful not to have him reverse back but show how it can heal. Asking the Holy Spirit to come in and begin the process of healing from within.

· Phase Two Marker

At this point of the session, we want to insure that Bruce is managing accordingly and not going into a slump. I want to maintain fit with Bruce, me going in one direction and him another will not work. Having to preserve an agreement with Bruce, in the event he starts to mourn so I can mourn with him: “15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Romans 12:15-16 King James Version (Kollar 2011, p.111). Asking him questions to see where he is going or what kind of a response he will give.

· Food for Thought: 

“18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Luke 4:18-19, King James Version

As the counselor, it’s my duty to teach Bruce on how to forgive for it sets him free to move on with his life. It opens up his relationship with God (see Matt. 5:43-48) and keeps him from becoming bitter and thus protects those around you (Clinton & Hawkins 2009, p. 124). Reading scripture, praying, and asking the Holy Spirit to continuously intervene.

Bibliography

Petersen, James C. Why Don’t We Listen Better? Communications and Connecting in Relationships. Portland, OR: Petersen Publications, 2015.

Kollar, Charles. Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling: An Effective Short-Term Approach for Getting People Back on Track. Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan, 2011.

Hawkins Tramaine, “A Change Has Come Over Me”, All My Best To You Vol 2, Christian Gospel, 2001

Greenberg, Gail and Keren Ganshorn. “Solution-Focused Therapy: A Solution Driven Model for Change.” Adapted from Greenberg, Gail et al (2001). “Solution–Focused Therapy: A Counseling Model for Busy Family Physicians.” Canadian Family Physician, 47: 2289-2295.

Philippians 3:13-14, King James Version 

Clinton, Tim, and Ron Hawkins. The Quick-Reference guide to Biblical Counseling. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books, 2009.

Romans 12:15-16, King James Version

Luke 4:18-19, King James Version