Theoretical Base Theory

Both of the selected theories place high importance on the relationship between the counselor and client. Given that research indicates

At one point in a person life, they will participated in a group whether it is part of a specific committee, therapy, or social group. In recent years, there has been a rise in counseling within a group forum veering from the tradition individual counseling. Therapists, physiologist, and counselors believe that form of counseling is beneficial to both counselor and client. This allows the counselor to help several clients at once rather than one at a time decreasing their strenuous workload and demanding work hours. This form of counseling integrate individual that share similar issues, struggles, and experiences into one forum. This not only allows the clients to learn from the therapist but from their fellow group members. The group experience

Jacobs, E. E., Masson, R. L., Harvill, R. L., & Schimmel, C. J. (2012). Group counseling: Strategies and skills (7th ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Establishing a theoretical orientation in counseling is vital to mental health profession, without a basis of knowledge on how to respond will often lead to the thinking that the counselor in incompetent in the field. Development of a theoretical orientation is often initiated and enhanced through

I learned two significant things about group counseling in this course. The first thing that I learned is the importance of setting up a treatment plan. The intention is to follow the client from their entrance into the program until the client is discharged. In this process the clients’ problems are identified through various assessments and as each problem is addressed, it is checked off of the list. Once all of the problems are checked off of the list, the client is considered as having completed the plan. This plan is especially important because it evokes thoughtful conversation between the client and the counselor and is the best method to gain information from the client regarding the help they want to receive. The second most significant thing that I learned about group counseling is how to design a group from start to finish. From pre group design, planning the goals of the group and determining the members to setting up the environment and structuring the sessions, each step adds its own important components to designing group counseling.

When it comes to a group theory session, the counselor wants to give the individuals in that setting Instillation of hope, members of therapy groups often find hope as they discover and focus on how to face their problems. Installation of hope is vital because you want to have the individuals that are part of that

Purpose of the group counseling varies from group to group. It can be therapeutic, educational, or helping people to make fundamental changes in their way of thinking, feeling and behaving (Corey, 2004, p. 7). Group counseling/therapy has the advantage of being more effective than individual therapy because, it more closely stimulates social interactions and interpersonal communication patterns than does individual counseling (Kottler, 2004, p. 260). The techniques and strategies use in group counseling are to help resolve members’ interpersonal conflict, promote greater self-awareness and insight, and help them work to eliminate their self-defeating

The way the concept theoretical orientation relates to me being a student studying Social Work I have been introduced to theories that offer understandings to help to assist clients with their problems. Theories are basic guiding tools to help practitioners to interact with our clients and to help shape our professional identity. The approach that I am most interested in is the Decisional model, Loge therapy, and person centered Counseling. Decisional Counseling process makes decisions by assisting the client by defining problem, Generating alternative problems and assisting the client with taking action .Loge Therapy is the process that assists the client with finding their purpose this will assist clients to be able to undergo any hardships that they may encounter. Person Centered Counseling is the process that the client is in control of what they want to do as a practitioner we facilitate the process. The way I will start to build my competence using the uses of theories are inside of my practicum. My field placement is at The Boys& Girls Club I believe that the Decisional Counseling approach will be useful because of the services the Boys & Girls Club provide for the youth so that can be successful. There has numerous situations when students received consequences because of their negative behavior. Using this method I could try to get

2). Counseling theories allow practitioners to use them in the way best suited for the clients needs. The application is given when a counselor or therapist assesses the theory for the best use in their current circumstance. For example, a client comes in an anxiety disorder. One should not use a theory just because it has been used in similar circumstances before. The counselor can deviate from the use of only one theory to use parts of several for the best outcome of the client.

Having a theoretical orientation as a counselor is important in working with clients in social work career. Theoretical orientation helps us as a social worker to attend to different challenges facing the clients and deal with family problems, behaviors and emotions. As a novice student, having a theoretical framework serve as a “road map.” The purpose of this paper is to explain the important of having a theoretical framework and its important when dealing with families, individuals and treatment groups.

As I began the Group Process and Dynamics course, I was excited to become educated and experienced with group counseling. Group counseling is a topic I have enjoyed in the past and have continued to be fascinated by. I have learned the elements of a group process through observation and research. The group process consists of several elements that come together when the group begins and ends when the group is terminated. I have observed group norms, group cohesion, the generation of trust, the manifestation of resistance, the emergence of conflict and resolution, healing forces, the reactions of group members, and the various stages a group develops through (Corey, Corey, & Corey, 2010). Throughout this course, I was able to derive a conceptualization of groups. From this course I will take with me the understanding of how effective group counseling can be for individuals. Groups have been known to be as effective as individual therapy and a great source of treatment. Group counseling is designed as a part of a treatment plan that helps individuals and guide them through change. Group counseling is a versatile practice, which can be used in several settings and with different populations (Corey et al., 2010). This course has given me the opportunity to reflect on my own personal leadership style, the challenges that may arise, and an action plan to continue my group leadership knowledge and skills.

Erford, 2010 states that a good theory is: “clear and easily understood, comprehensive, explicit and heuristic, generating further research, specifically geared to help clients reach their desired outcomes, and be useful to practitioners”. A counselor should always look for these important characteristics when reviewing a new theory. New theories have to continually be tested in order to be considered safe and effective for clients. The emergence of a new theory does not automatically mean that it will work or fit

One of the most challenging aspects of this school program has been trying to recognize a theoretical orientation that I can identify with. Throughout the course of this class, I have discovered various aspects that have remained consistent within my personal wants and desires for group, which have allowed me to focus my attention on which approaches fit well with my style of therapy. The following will describe the key concepts of the cognitive behavioral approach; a view of the roles of the therapist and group members; key developmental tasks and therapeutic goals, techniques, and methods; and the stages in the evolution of a group. An integration of two additional theoretical orientations will also be included.

Looking for new and more effective ways to treat the issues of their clients, counselors and therapists may often begin to consider leading a group therapy session. Group therapy is a form of therapy in which a therapist either treats or provides psychoeducational skills to a small, carefully planned target group of individuals in an effort to ameliorate the issues and dysfunctions of each individual in that particular group of patients together (Scheidlinger, 2004). In this group, therapists often utilize some of the psychotherapy theories such as Gestalt, transactional analysis, psychotherapy or psychodrama which they often use to treat clients individually.

Group counseling not only allows for members to learn from their therapist, it also allows for them to learn from personal experiences of other members and to gain insights and ideas on the issues they are confronting. Group counseling also helps in improving social skills among the members as they are able to interact freely in and out of the group. This way members can be more confident and open to interactions during the sessions. Group therapy influences growth and change to those involved. Also, it increases their self-awareness and enables them to gain sustenance from each other. Group counseling is also favorable to the therapist as they are able to gain faster and more efficient results for their members by counseling them simultaneously rather than one at a time. Jacobs, Mason, Harvill and Schimmel (2012) describe group counseling