Therapeutic Reflection
Within the realm of psychology, social work and counseling there are agreat many theories that apply to developmental processes, modes of therapyand the relationship between cause and effect of psychopathologies. Sociallearning, systems theory, cognitive-behavioral therapy and Gestalt are buta few of the alternatives that a counselor can choose. There is a greatdeal more to counseling than learning the theories, processes and, or,practice guidelines. There is personal motivation and commitment as wellas the need for enhanced understanding and personal growth. There's asaying: 'Doctor, heal thyself' that reminds the clinician that they aremeant to be aware of themselves as much as they are aware of the client who Gestalt therapy has seen a resurgence of popularity in the past decadeor so. It is often used in reference to substance abuse treatment (the'reality therapy' spoken of within some treatment programs is a derivativeof gestalt principles). Gestalt therapy encompasses a wide range ofperspectives and theories, beginning with Kelly's theories of construct andincluding Rogerian principles and existential guidelines. From the gestalt
Many peoplebecome adults without allowing this essential element of personality todevelop. The process of therapeutic intervention is alsothought to be centered on problem solution. One of the greatest lessons in counseling isthat the individual does not have to abide by the shared meaning packagesof society in order to know meaning in their lives. In using a gestalt framework, the process of change includes;clarification of responsibilities for self and the attribution of meanings;the recognition or ownership of one's own and independent system ofconstructions; and the integration of past meanings with theconceptualization of the 'now' and the future. There's a place and a time for each of the ego states and recognition canbe a positive avenue to gaining self worth. Gene Kelly's theory of constructs forms the basic foundationof gestalt awareness, interpretation and use. Game playing of this sort tends to bring out the 'parent' formof ego interaction and is often viewed as negative (although many peoplehave been 'successful as a result of this particular strategy). The importance of the fundamentals ofcounseling to the individual in the modern world are almost limitless. The secondstep is learning the techniques of deep muscle relaxation and copingmechanisms that can be used to strengthen the response such as guidedimagery, meditation and breathing exercises. He theorizes that theconstructs (beliefs, imaginings, etc. Using guided imagery the person 'walks through' the target situations -first using the least response scenario and building to the worst possiblecase scenario - and utilizes relaxation techniques instead of the negativeresponse of fear or anxiety. The idea ofdesensitization was there but not the process (or the inclusion ofhumanistic principles). The personmay seek out real life situations where the level of anxiety has beenconfronted during the process of desensitization in order to 'test' theresponse. This may be worrisome to a person steeped in cognitive-behavioral techniques where systematic desensitization is one of manyviable techniques.
Common topics in this essay:
Carl Rogers,
Clockwork Orange,
Trying Help,
Gene Kelly's,
,
guided imagery,
gestalt therapy,
relaxation techniques,
game playing,
transactional analysis,
ownership one's own,
recognition ownership one's,
guided imagery meditation,
clarification responsibilities self,
recognition ownership,
culture propensity,
child it's,
worth people,
includes clarification responsibilities,
ownership one's,
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