Essay about Case Study - Counseling Children

How does Person-centred counselling, influence the understanding of the development of concept of self? (245 words)

Cognitive-behavioural therapy is widely short-term and concentrates on enabling clients to deal with very particular problems. Often six weeks to six months sessions of course depending upon the problem it is pacifically goal directed and places great weight upon self-help as a long term coping tool that the client can take away with them and successfully use. Cognitive-behavioural therapy believes that clients can learn the wrong ways of developing and making sense of information during their cognitive development. This can often lead to distortions in the way they identify reality, it’s the job of the therapist to enable them to work this out.

Values, Morals, and Beliefs are components that play a role in an individual’s self-identity. The establishment of these components shape human nature, behavior, and the development of an individual’s purpose. The basis of these fundamentals has contributed to my desire to become a counselor. This paper will discuss my views of human nature, factors of behavior changes, goals of therapy, the roles of a therapist, and the counseling approaches that I chose to incorporate in a practice.

I used to work for Fort Wayne Community Schools as an assistant teacher for an elementary school. I know there are several Human Services Professionals who are riddled throughout the various facilities in our area. I was able to secure an interview with the school counselor at Towles Montessori/New Tech Middle School. The school counselor’s name is Joyce Paige. She has been in the school system for the past 20 years and seen many different changes within the Family and Marriage therapy. I was interested in the many things we discussed and a few of the suggested questions led me to ask some questions of my own.

As a counseling student, it is very important to formulate a counseling theory tailored to ones’ own personality and beliefs. A counselor may choose a single theory to model when practicing therapy or pick and choose components and techniques from various theories, otherwise known as eclecticism. No theory is considered right or wrong. Understanding the different therapeutic approaches are important to effective counseling, however, counselors must also understand their own personal value, view of human nature, human behavior, counseling techniques and the purpose and goals of counseling. Understanding these components along with the different theoretical approaches will provide the counselor with a 9 knowledge of their own counseling, orientation and is essential to not only the productivity of counseling but the growth of the counselor as well.

The role of a school counselor is an intriguing one because they do not work with a specific type of client. While they will always be working with young children or teenagers, the problems their clients come to them with can be so different from client to client. One session might be dealing with questions about career choices. Another might be about dealing with bullying. Some days a school counselor may even have to be there for a child who was a victim of sexual or physical abuse. It is because of this wide range of demands that a school counselor should be well-versed in many types of counseling theories.

School counselors collaborate with other school personnel such as teachers who will help implement guidance lessons in the classroom. As a school counselor it is important to keep the teachers motivated to help implement these programs. Resource teachers typically work the special education students, collaborating with resource teachers ensures that all students are included in the comprehensive program. The resource teacher can help provide alternative to working with students in an inclusive manner. The principles and assistance principles of the school typically serve on the advisory committee, they provide resources to the program, and help communicate the important of the counseling program. School psychologist are there to assist with mental health services, doing assessments, and working with the school counselor during crisis situations. School nurses provide health services to the students. They monitor student medications and note changes in students behavior or effectiveness of the medication. Secretaries are equally important in the collaborative model. Secretaries are typically the first person a parent will come in contact with when entering the school. They are the ones that create that first impression (Erford, 2015). Community agencies can provide additional support to students outside of

The American Counseling Association (ACA) developed the code of ethics with six principles in mind that they thought were the foundation for ethical behavior and decision making: autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, justice, fidelity and veracity (American Counseling Association, 2014). This lead to the six different purposes for the code of ethics. First, it sets ethical obligations and ethical guidance for professional counselors (American Counseling Association, 2014). Second, it recognizes ethical dilemmas that are relevant (American Counseling Association, 2014). Third, it clarifies what is ethically expected and accepted of its members (American Counseling Association, 2014). Fourth, it is an ethical guide for members deciding the best course of action and expectations for conduct, when it comes to those using their counseling services (American Counseling Association, 2014). Fifth, it supports the mission of the American Counseling Association (American Counseling Association, 2014). Finally, it has standards that serve as a baseline for questions and complaints for ACA members (American Counseling Association, 2014). To fulfill the purposes of the code of ethics, the ACA categorizes the ethics into nine different areas (American Counseling Association, 2014).

The session begin with the client discussing how she was concern about the student. She stated was having a problem with other student. The client noticed this student standing alone during recess, lunch and circle time she said this was a practice that happen every day. The client confer to the student and his answer

Theories play an important role in how a counselor serves their clients. Theories provide counselors with a foundation on which to build their counseling style. “Theories ground us as professional counselors. They provide a means to understand what we are doing, how we are serving clients, and how to explain counseling to clients” (Erford, 2010). Counselors are responsible for being aware of different theories in order to apply them appropriately within their practice. Established and new theories play an important and constant role in mental health counseling. Established theories in mental health counseling are based on “empirical or scientific foundations” (American Counseling Association, 2005). The best way to gain the most

The first item is to build trust among students, parents and school staff, so that they feel comfortable coming to the counselors to address their issues or concerns. While confidentiality could be a challenge working with minors, it should be kept as much as possible. They also need to feel that when they meet with the school counselors that he or she has the individual’s best interest in mind.

The feeling that Beverlee is communicating is direct exploration of feelings. Suggestions that I would make to Beverlee I would let her know that it’s okay and she has made the right choice by meeting with a counselor. Beverly needs to needs to know that she is strong person who has a good heart and that she is beauty inside and out. I would use open end questions for her like “What are you feeling as I explain this” (Murphy p.247). Questions that are a little more detailed are helpful also like Who are you most comfortable sharing those feelings with” (Murphy p.247). I would acknowledge and understand Beverlee feelings and encourage her to continue express herself this is an important goal. In order to communicate successfully as a Clinician, you must accept the thoughts and feelings that Beverlee is expressing.

Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. They are trained to address a wide range of issues, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress management, problems with self-esteem, issues associated with aging, job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting, and marital or other relationship problems. Mental health counselors often work closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. (US Department of Labor)

The student that I will discuss in this case conceptualization will be referred to as Sarah. Sarah was born on April 19, 2003, in Canton Ohio. People born around this time are often referred to as Generation Z and are most well known for their technology use. Sarah is a 13-year-old female and an eight-grade student at a public middle school. Sarah is currently living with her Father who is unemployed due to job loss. Sarah’s father Greg is 39 years old. Sarah does not have any contact with her mother and has not since she was a young girl. She has stated before that her mother abandoned her, but I am not certain on the details and circumstances regarding having no contact with her mother. Sarah has an older brother that was moved out of the house for a while but has recently moved back in due to struggling with employment and a desire to help at home to pay the bills due to Greg being unemployed. This means that currently living in the household is Greg who is Sarah’s father, her older brother, and Sarah. Through the conversation that I have had with Sarah I have not noticed any indication of religious affiliation. Due to not being aware of any religious affiliation thus far there has been no attempt made to integrate spirituality into the counseling by myself or the student.

From birth through adolescence, a significant amount of developmental changes occur. Children grow and develop physically, cognitively and emotionally. Each individual aspect of development has an effect on the child as a whole. If a child struggles developmentally in any of the areas (physically, emotionally or cognitively), it can affect one of the other areas of development as well. For example, if a child is underdeveloped physically, they may experience emotional development issues because they may be made fun of and teased by other children.