Category: Counseling

The current state of the profession

The counseling profession offers a wide range of services. It ranges from counseling students on various issues regarding their academic work to families in a crisis situation. However, the acceptance and prominence of counseling as a profession varies according to regions.

For instance in Europe and other western states, the current professional trends demonstrate that therapy is being accepted now more than ever. According to Dixon and Hansen (2010), in this day and age, it has become a part of peoples lives to seek counseling services such as psychotherapy, which has led to more exposure of the counselors who now have greater space within the public (p.40).

It is also important to note that the numbers of practicing counselors has been rising over the years. As Dixon and Hansen (2003) mention, in Denmark alone, there are approximately eight thousand counselors either training or practicing. This can be attributed to the governments in most European nations subsidizing the cost of studying counseling as a profession. More so, there are governments that have channeled funds into subsidizing professional counseling services such that the services are more affordable to the locals (P.45).

The context within which professional counseling takes place has been changing over the years. In the 21^st century, it takes place in a variety of settings most especially in a school setting. This happens mostly in the United States and a few nations in Europe.

This is so because the service is very much needed in an academic system and where children grow and develop into adults. There instances where some children require special education probably because they are slow learners, or have mental or even physical disabilities (Dixon and Hansen,2010, p.40).

The most common approach used to day by various professional counselors is the cognitive therapeutic methods. A good majority of the public institutions as well as the private ones use this particular framework. This method has become so common that most researchers are giving it enough attention and also teach it in the Universities.

Potential threats

Professional counseling just like any other profession faces a few threats. There are particular aspects under professional counseling that have for a very long time ignored. As put forward by Savickas (2003), one identified weakness by a good number of analysts is that there is minimal training for students who would really wish to take a specialty in career counseling. Given that professional counseling began as a vocational guidance career, the supposed training that is currently available is rather inconvenient.

This is mostly because there is very little if any attention in this particular activity that really engendered it. The situation has further been worsened by the ever-increasing number of internet entrepreneurs as well as career trainers. Therefore, weakness that comes with lack of training in this particular area becomes deprofessionalized to say the least (p.2).

There has been a general assumption that counseling will continue to grow as it expands its acceptance base. However, there are various regions in the world that may face the more challenges than others and hence may pose as threats to the entire profession. An example the presentation of what counseling profession is to the wider society with the inclusion of its services and the outcomes expected on the various clients.

Most people especially in the developing part of the world have a stereotype that the mentally or physically ill are bad omen to the family. They therefore prefer locking them up somewhere, as tradition requires. In other parts of the world however, some people consider the whole service provision as an expensive venture.

Unless the governments steps in terms of subsidizing the service they want nothing to do with it since they can visit online sources which are even more affordable regardless of the quality of service being offered (Ng and Mey, 2010, p.6).

Recommendations

It would be better if the professional counseling services were extended to other settings. For a very long time, it has been concentrated on the educational institutions yet there are very many people outside such a setting who need the service. For instance those in correctional facilities, rehabilitation and mental health institutions as well. This will in the long run firmly establish and endorse its identity as a professional service just like any other (savickas, 2003, p.11)

In addition to this, it is important that the number of Universities offering professional counseling as a course be accredited by the Council of Higher Education. This is because some universities and colleges have ended up offering poor quality education in this particular program.

Therefore, the Universities that offer the course illegally should be brought to book otherwise the graduates from such Universities will end up undermining the whole profession due to poor services. More so, a highly qualified faculty should develop and fine-tune the curriculum such that the course texts are the best hence the outcome should be of that of highly qualified professional counselors.

References

Dixon, A. & Hansen, N. (2010). Professional Counseling in Denmark: Journal of Counseling and Development. Web.

Ng, K. K & Mey, C. (2010). Counseling in Malaysia: History, current status an future trends. Journal of Psychology and development. Web.

Savickas, M. (2003). Advancing the Career Counseling profession: Objectives and Strategies for the Next Decade; The Career Development Quarterly. Web.

Counseling is a useful practice because it makes it easier for troubled persons to have better lives. This situation explains why lay approaches to religious counseling have become common today. The four models of Christian counseling include cognitive and solution focused approach, active listening, inner healing, and mixed models (Garzon, Worthington, & Tan, 2009, p. 113).

Active-Listening Approach

This model combines Rogerian principles such as listening skills, positive regard, and empathy (Garzon et al., 2009, p. 114). The counselor should also use spiritual resources to support every client. Such resources include prayers and biblical teachings. The counselor should also be able to use the best caring methods. A good example of this counseling approach is Stephen Ministry (Garzon et al., 2009, p. 114). Counselors can use various biblical stories, promises, and themes to support their clients.

Cognitive and Solution-Focused Approach

This method focuses on the role of self-task and core beliefs towards dealing with personal stress (Garzon et al., 2009, p. 115). The approach also embraces the use of automatic thoughts and prayers towards cognitive restructuring. Solution-focused methods make it easier for clients to make good decisions. They also come up with appropriate strategies to deal with every problem (Garzon et al., 2009). The approach makes it easier for patients to deal with their unbiblical thoughts.

Inner Healing Approach

This counseling approach seeks to uncover ancestral, personal, and familial experiences that might affect a persons life (Garzon et al., 2009, p. 116). The method also uses prayer-filled encounters. The approach makes it easier for clients to accept Christ. A Christian perspective is also necessary to ensure every person experiences a new life. Clients should be ready to repent and confess. The strategy makes it easier for them to accept Christ and embrace a new journey towards healing.

Mixed Approach

This approach bears most of the practices identified above. The approach focuses on several psychological perspectives. The counselor uses the clients past experience, cultural position, and spiritual foundation to reinforce a new idea (Garzon et al., 2009, p. 116). Counselors can use several steps to help their clients. The client is also encouraged to continue reading the bible. The counselor might also encourage the client to attend more sessions and engage in various church activities.

Describing One Model

The Active-Listening Approach is one of the best lay Christian counseling models. The model uses the best concepts such listening skills, positive regard, and empathy (Garzon et al., 2009, p. 114). Counselors use different biblical stories, encouragements, and promises to empower their patients. The simplicity and effectiveness of the approach explains why it has become popular today. This approach has several advantages. The counselor does not require any training in psychology (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002). The counselor is able to understand the major issues affecting his or her clients. The method is easy to use. Counselors can use the approach to help children and adults. The method also produces positive results within a short period. The method may not address every challenge affecting a patient. The counselor should also have some training in order to support his or her patients. It is necessary for the counselor to offer the best ideas to his or her clients.

The approach I closely align with is the Active-Listening Method. I am also planning to use this approach as a future counselor. This method is also simple to apply. The counselor is also able to understand the issues affecting his or her clients (Clinton & Ohlschlager, 2002). The method does not require much training in psychology.

Reference List

Clinton, R., & Ohlschlager, G. (2002). Competent Christian Counseling: Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care. Colorado Springs, CO: Water Brook Press.

Garzon, F., Worthington, E., & Tan, S. (2009). Lay Christian Counseling and Client Expectations for Integration in Therapy. Journal of Psychology and Christianity, 28(2), 113-120.

Carl Rogers beliefs on self-acceptable being the catalyst of change offer a number of practical applications of theories of change to an individuals life. In my personal interpretation of this concept, I believe the thesis message that the only change that is acceptable and sustainable is one that is guided by the values of the individual. Essentially, we are only able to facilitate positive change when we find our current identities to be good and worthwhile but equally capable of further development. It is almost more reflective of the growth of personality and character and not a total recreation of ones identity to fit under strict and overly broad standards.

Rogers outlines a number of conditions that he believes to be vital to constructive personality change and can be related to his quote above. First, two people must be in psychological contact, the client and the therapist. Second, the client is in a state of vulnerability or anxiousness (Rogers, 2007). Third, the therapist is integrated into the relationship and experiences positive regard for the client unconditionally. Fourth, the therapist experiences understanding and empathy for the framework introduced by the client and attempts to communicate this to the client (Eager, 2010). Fifth, the communication of the understanding is achieved.

Essentially, the conditions proposed by Rogers create a dynamic in which the client outlines and establishes the values to which they wish to adhere to. As such, the change is driven by the clients identity, not by a rigid structure for necessary change or a future state of being. In counseling applications, clients can be told that they are more likely to uphold sustainable change if they can address and accept their current self.

In theories and applications proposed by Rogers, there is a focus on strength as opposed to the approach which attempts to analyze an issue or limitation. This adheres to what can be found of his ideology through his work. This is because constructive personality change, as defined by Rogers, is inherently dependent on the strengths and values of a client and not their shortcomings (Raskin et al., 2019). The ability to prioritize values and positive traits illustrates to the client that their goal is actually to better contribute to these characteristics and in adhering to their values. However, this theory is not rejecting analyzing issues completely. It is likely that a balanced approach to both is necessary to observe positive and well-paced change.

In my opinion, strength-based models should be at the forefront of any counseling. This is because elevating present positive features and values provides the client with sustainable change that nurtures them in the process. An excessive focus on negative traits with the mindset that they must be fixed can cause the client distress and may contribute to poor and non-constructive change in the long run. However, issues in a clients life cannot be completely ignored, especially in the case of clients experiencing serious detriments as a result of their condition. Even with the presence of issues, limitations, or negative traits, clients should be provided with resources and spaces to determine their current values and the ways in which they can better practice them in the future. Rogers theory allows for a more sustainable method in which a client learns and practices in order to achieve positive change instead of being constantly observant to not act in a way that contributes to their issues or weaknesses.

References

Eager, E. (2010). Summary and evaluation of Carl Rogers necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. The Person-Centered Journal, 17(1-2), 108-117. Web.

Raskin, N. J., Rogers, C. R., &Witty, M. C. (2019). Client-centered therapy. In D. Wedding & R. J. Corsini (Eds.), Current psychotherapies (11th ed., pp. 101-156). Cengage.

Rogers, C. R. (2007). The necessary and sufficient conditions of therapeutic personality change. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 44(3), 240-248. Web.

Introduction

Traumatic experiences are a topical issue in the mental health field that affects many young people. Experiencing traumatic events leaves an imprint on a persons psyche, resulting in emotional or behavioral failures. Trauma is a reaction to an event that left a significant mark and led to symptoms. Often, anxiety or a disturbing state of mind accompanies the person due to unpleasant memories. Anxiety leads to difficulties in socialization, getting a job, and problems with sleep and health. The program I use to reduce stress consists of sessions that include meditation. It often becomes a client assignment: for example, meditate for X minutes a day X times a week. In my opinion, this practice is helpful, and I am confident that group meditation sessions would promote better results and motivate clients.

The Rationale for the Program

Anxiety as a symptom of trauma involves a variety of treatment modalities: medication therapy, exercise, and group conversations. Meditation acts as a crucial linking factor in these practices, as it allows one to relax and tune in to positive thinking. There will be a large block of group classes in the program I am implementing. I will focus on meditation and thoughtfulness, which will reduce the severity of common symptoms. Often, the stress experienced prevents people from even tuning in to therapy and collective meditation can set the stage for future trauma processing. Relaxation exercise lessons, coupled with therapy sessions, will set the person up for a favorable outcome and address primary needs. Meditation will be a faithful companion for people with anxiety, giving them a calm place to deal with stress. Meditation can be used alone, but in collaborative sessions, one can best develop the habit of relaxation.

Potential Audience and Attraction

Group counseling will be beneficial for the younger generation  clients with trauma or anxiety ranging in age from teens to children will be my primary audience. For adolescents, comfort for successful socialization and personal growth is essential. At a younger age, anxiety can get in the way of getting a job and making family and friends. I think the older age group can attend similar meditation sessions, but it is often difficult to find contact due to generational differences. However, creating separate groups of older adults is also a nice practice. Nevertheless, childrens audiences require close attention and another level of care. In addition, the psychological development of children due to trauma changes significantly, and these acute abnormalities can often be corrected through meditation. Such children require more other techniques, and they should stand in separate groups.

I have an issue: engaging the audience and holding their interest. Clients are not always aware of their trauma and its problems, and they rarely go for voluntary therapy. Unfortunately, the existing stigma of psychotherapy imposes restrictions on sessions, and my role is to change it. Social media courses can be set up among students and teens  the insularity prevents them from seeking help themselves, but sites and apps are more trustworthy. Online programs or electronic pamphlets would create a comfortable media space from which many could get out and come to group meditation.

For the older generation, it is helpful to combine both online information distribution and physical flyers or brochures. Also, having open classes with demonstrations of the benefits of meditation will help build trust from potential clients. It seems to me that practicing available consultations and training is generally a great way to engage people because it shows the real deal and dispenses with stigma.

Program Implementation: Strategic Goals and Components

The overall strategic goal of the program is to achieve a reduction in anxiety levels through meditation and therapy sessions. In addition, the program aims to reduce stress and its effects on everyday life: for example, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy tools (MBCT) will allow for the development of mindfulness. The techniques can be used in the long term, which significantly alleviates anxiety about the future. Such strategies often involve concentration and the ability to concentrate on a particular task: online lessons or relaxation exercises will be helpful.

I would also like to pay attention to how the program will be implemented and the expected results. First, I want to point out that the success of therapy and meditation depends on how aware the individual is. It is necessary to make sure that every person understands how meditation will benefit the healing process. This knowledge will encourage clients to continue to practice the techniques they have learned. Although it will be difficult to achieve at first glance, the gradual enrichment of information will eventually make a difference. Second, I believe that the techniques I offer should be explicitly used in groups. Meditation is quite simple, and the opportunity to share the experience positively affects anxiety levels. Going alone is tough, and this kind of practice will help reduce symptoms and replenish disturbing needs.

A typical practice session would consist of the following components: an educational enlightenment and training session, a meditation session, and a sharing of the feelings experienced. The training can begin at any location, whether it is a room in a hospital or the large office of a private psychologist. The main point that clients should acquire after the training is a technique or mechanism for coping with stress, which they will gradually incorporate into their daily life. Meditation will consist of various sessions of self-control, willpower development, and processing of ones emotions. This stage is critical because, during it, clients will feel comfortable and at one with their thoughts. Finally, the final component of the sessions will be for clients to talk about how they felt and express their opinions about the meditation process. At this point, the practitioner will understand what to focus on in future sessions and how to implement future practices.

The result of such therapy will be the achievement of awareness and mindfulness, which helps to cope with stress and control anxiety. Various studies have noted that mindfulness is the key to overcoming trauma (Zhu et al., 2019; Schuurmans et al., 2020). In addition, some authors have noticed tangible benefits from the combination of meditation and exercise, and I would like to resort to this practice as well. Ultimately, group counseling will be a place for inner harmony and psychological comfort.

Program Evaluation

I plan to evaluate this program with particular self-report questionnaires or awareness scales. In addition, a group discussion at the end of the sessions will also determine their success rate. Such a group would be helpful to practicing counselors and therapists who are dealing with burnout or the development of abnormal anxiety. Caring for others invariably begins with caring for oneself, and I believe such programs are worth introducing into widespread practice.

Conclusion

Thus, the program developed will include techniques for dealing with trauma and anxiety among adolescents and young adults. The programs relevance is the need to overcome traumatic experiences for successful socialization. The programs primary goal is to reduce anxiety through meditation and therapeutic sessions. There will be three components: teaching, reflection, and discussion. The program will result in the development of mindfulness to cope with stress, the effectiveness of which can be assessed using self-report scales or questionnaires.

References

Schuurmans, A. A., Nijhof, K. S., Scholte, R., Popma, A., & Otten, R. (2020). A novel approach to improve stress regulation among traumatized youth in residential care: Feasibility study testing three gamebased meditation interventions. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 14(4), 476-485. Web.

Zhu, J., Wekerle, C., Lanius, R., & Frewen, P. (2019). Trauma-and stressor-related history and symptoms predict distress experienced during a brief mindfulness meditation sitting: Moving toward trauma-informed care in mindfulness-based therapy. Mindfulness, 10(10), 1985-1996. Web.

In the process of providing counseling services, it is essential to use the most effective tools. Among them, a mental status examination or MSE can be distinguished. This method helps get information about the patients mental state and is widely used in both non-neurological and psychiatric practice by many specialists. This instrument is a key aspect of Polanski and Hinkles attention in their article The mental status examination: Its use by professional counselors. This scientific paper is a valuable source as it provides information about MMSE and examines various aspects and nuances of the application of this approach.

It is important to emphasize that MSE is used in the workflow of several specialists at once, which is mentioned in the article. Moreover, the positive aspect of this work is the provision of extensive and, at the same time, understandable information about the method. This is important because it directly implies touching on the topic of the patients mental state, self-perception, and behavior (Polanski & Hinkle, 2000). In addition, this approach considers the level of consciousness and mindfulness, motor and speech activity, mood, thinking and perception, and higher cognitive abilities.

In addition, this scientific paper is of particular interest as it provides information about counseling skills used in the application of the MSE. The authors talk about ways to optimize and improve the effectiveness of diagnostic measures. Further, MSE is considered in the context of cultures and age groups. Thus, it is said that these indicators also play a significant role in the formation of the mental characteristics of the patient. The last topic raised in this source and has a possible positive contribution to the development of information about MSE is its connection with managed care. Therefore, the value of reporting is emphasized since this type of provision of patient care services requires a thorough and immediate assessment.

Reference

Polanski, P. J., & Hinkle, J. S. (2000). The mental status examination: Its use by professional counselors. Journal of Counseling & Development, 78(3), 357-364. Web.

Solution-focused brief therapy is highly valued in school counseling settings because it prioritizes finding the solution to the problem. Thus, instead of discussing minor details in the students problem, the therapy targets finding a solution to the issue in a limited amount of time. The growing concern about child and adolescent mental health in the United States draws attention to the potential of single-session interventions (Schleider et al., 2019). Solution-focused brief therapy presents a type of single-session intervention recommended for school counselors to promptly address the problems in the large population of students in the school. I fully acknowledge the importance of goal accomplishments for students as a future school counselor. Therefore, lately, I have learned to appreciate the solution-focused brief therapy for the fast results it can provide to students.

During the internship, I noticed that students often experience problems due to the uncertainty of the future. In many cases, issues from the past often prevent students from moving into the future. Some students were anxious about meeting the graduation requirements, while others had problems defining plans for the time after graduation from high school. In both cases, I used solution-focused brief therapy principles by asking students to imagine their day without school. During the consultation, I used students answers to the question to help them define their interests, create plans for the future, and eliminate their worries. My reaction to using solution-focused brief therapy with students is positive because it works in the majority of cases and helps students define possible solutions to their problems. On the other hand, even in cases where solution-focused therapy does not give instant results, it allows bringing certainty into the students life.

Reference

Schleider, J. L., Dobias, M.L., Sung, J. Y., & Mullarkey, M. C. (2020). Future directions in single-session youth mental health interventions. Journal of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology, 49(2), 264-278.

Some of the inherited genes may predispose individuals to certain health conditions like cystic fibrosis among other inheritable diseases. Therefore, genetic counseling is recommended for people with a family history of a certain inheritable condition. This paper discusses the reasons for genetic counseling and possible responses from a patient together with ways of avoiding negative reactions.

Reasons for Genetic Counseling

The main reason for a genetic counseling exercise is to assess the risk of developing a certain health condition or disorder based on ones genetic patterns. Additionally, during this exercise, causes and inheritance of the disorder in question are explored together with establishing the availability of testing, prognosis, treatment, and medical management. Therefore, anyone with a family history of a given heritable condition can undergo this form of counseling. Similarly, one can undergo screening for conditions that are common within a certain ethnic group. Genetic screening can be carried out to establish whether there are familial causes behind developmental or health problems. Genetic counseling for cystic fibrosis is common to people planning to have a child. Based on the available information, parents are advised about the risk of having a child with this condition.

Possible Reactions from the Patient

In most cases, when people find out that they are predisposed to cystic fibrosis, they become anxious. Some may react calmly, process the information, and cooperate in charting the way forward. However, other people may react negatively and slip into denial. Therefore, the involved health practitioner should be keen on finding ways to handle the counseling session. To avoid negative reactions, one should communicate professionally by conveying information without sounding as an alarmist. Patients should be informed about the availability of different management and treatment methods for the condition.

Health

Prevention

Since cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder, the only way to prevent it is to ensure couples seeking to have children are not carriers of the recessive gene. However, there is no guarantee that a child will not have the condition, as the gene is large and complex. Therefore, some of the genetic mutations associated with cystic fibrosis have not been discovered.

Screening

Anyone with a family history of cystic fibrosis should undergo screening. Additionally, couples planning to have a child should be tested for this condition. Screening of cystic fibrosis occurs through DNA testing to establish the presence of mutation of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) (Cutting, 2015). The sweat test is the commonly used screening procedure. During this procedure, sweat is obtained from the patient and the amount of chloride in it is tested. Depending on the results from the sweat test, further tests can be conducted using blood samples to establish DNA mutations that are specific to this condition. The purpose of screening is to generate data that can be used in diagnosis.

Diagnostics

After the involved health practitioner gets laboratory results, diagnosis is made using the availed data. In the sweat test, if the chloride level is d 29 mmol/L, the probability of having the condition is ruled out. However, for levels between 30-59 mmol/L, one has a chance of having cystic fibrosis, and the results are repeated. Finally, for levels e 60 mmol/L, one is highly likely to be diagnosed with the condition. In DNA testing, if persons have one copy of CFTR gene mutation, they do not suffer from the condition, but they are carriers. However, if an individual has two copies of mutations, he or she is classified as having cystic fibrosis.

Prognostics

In cases where two carriers have a child, he or she will have a 25 percent chance of having cystic fibrosis and 50 percent probability of becoming a carrier (Massie, Robinson, & Cooper, 2016). However, there will also be a 25 percent chance that the child will not have the condition or be a carrier. If one of the partners has cystic fibrosis and the other is a carrier, there is a 50-50 chance that the child will have the condition or become a carrier (Massie et al., 2016). Finally, if one partner is a carrier and the other one is not, the probability of the child having the condition is minimal.

Selection of Treatment

Currently, there is no known cure for cystic fibrosis. Therefore, the available treatments are used to ease symptoms and reduce complications. Antibiotics can be used to prevent and treat different lung infections (Edmondson & Davies, 2016). Additionally, anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to reduce swellings in the lungs and airways. Mucus thinning drugs help to improve lung function. Bronchodilators relax bronchial tubes muscles to maintain open airways. Oral pancreatic enzymes may be used to assist in the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract (Edmondson & Davies, 2016). Moreover, chest physical therapy can be used instead of medications. Ultimately, surgery may be used to remove nasal polyps, which affect breathing. The selected treatment depends on the diagnosis.

Monitoring of Treatment Effectiveness

The monitoring of the effectiveness of the chosen treatment plan occurs through the assessment of the outcomes observed at different stages of the procedure. If a certain treatment is not working or delivering desirable results, alternatives are considered under the instructions of a qualified medical practitioner.

Conclusion

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition, and people undergo genetic counseling to establish the risk of having the disorder. During the counseling session, issues like prevention, screening, diagnosis, prognosis, medical management, and treatment are addressed. This form of counseling is important as it can allow couples to make informed family planning decisions.

References

Cutting, G. R. (2015). Cystic fibrosis genetics: From molecular understanding to clinical application. Nature Reviews. Genetics, 16(1), 45-56.

Edmondson, C., & Davies, J. C. (2016). Current and future treatment options for cystic fibrosis lung disease: Latest evidence and clinical implications. Therapeutic Advances in Chronic Disease, 7(3), 170-183.

Massie, J., Robinson, P. J., & Cooper, P. J. (2016). The story of cystic fibrosis 1965-2015. Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 52(11), 991-994.

Summary

Psychology, Theology, and Spirituality in Christian Counseling by Mark McMinn is a book that reflects the professional experience and the wisdom of the author as both a teacher and practitioner. Combining the Scripture with the context within which counseling takes place in a rather complicated assignment that requires a scholar to be well-versed in both the spiritual component of being and the psychological awareness of individuals. According to the writer, the most complex task for a counselor is understanding how to find a balance between logic and spirituality and not having to choose one over the other when addressing the mental health needs of their clients.

In the first part of the book, Chapter 1, Religion in the counseling office and Chapter 2, Toward psychological and spiritual health, the author builds a foundation for his philosophical framework that will be used throughout the rest of the work. In the first chapter, McMinn describes a scenario of a patient with severe mental health issues and the variety of approaches that she encountered when interacting with different counselors. While one may reject the spiritual considerations of the patient in need of mental health care, the other will be utterly dismissive of the scientific and effective theories of counseling (McMinn, 2011). Therefore, there is a high need to integrate both perspectives into counseling based on the needs of a patient and his or her values or beliefs. In the second chapter, the author delves deeper into the minutia of spiritual counseling as a means of achieving psychological well-being and personal growth. The author makes an effort to explain why the spiritual component of healing is important for individuals: through establishing a positive connection with God, a person can develop a good relationship with oneself and others.

The second part of the book, Chapters 3 through 8, deals with such topics as prayer, Scripture, sin, confession, forgiveness, and redemption, all of which are imperative for furthering the understanding of counseling as related to Christian beliefs and values. For a counselor to have a positive influence on the well-being of a patient, it is imperative for him or her to build trust with their clients with the help of patience and the ability to respond effectively to the arising issues and concerns (McMinn, 2011). Therefore, there will never be a one-size-fits-all approach to spiritual counseling as every person is different in their relationships with spirituality and experiences different stages of life, and it is the job of a counselor to find what is right to do.

Personal Reflection

The concepts of confession and forgiveness stand out from McMinns (2011) as they bear personal meaning. According to the author, establishing a healing relationship between a counselor and the patient is possible through honesty and the sharing of the deepest concerns and opinions from which a patient wants to break free. As mentioned in Proverbs 28:13, whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy. Therefore, confession can be used as a viable tool that counselors may use to help patients overcome past trauma or guilt, thus paving the way toward forgiveness and healing.

In the past, I have always considered confession as a sign of weakness and resisted it, which, ultimately, lead to a downward emotional spiral and a spiritual struggle. The envy of other success fueled my inner doubts and anger, and not being able to confess jealousy and the negative emotions that it brings made me weak and unforgiving of personal failures. Each time I stumbled, I reminded myself of what others have accomplished and how insignificant I was compared to them. After having a conversation with my preacher, I was convinced that a confession would bring the healing that I desperately needed. As I confessed my struggles, the first steps toward forgiveness were made. As a Christian duty, I found it imperative to ask for forgiveness from the Lord in order to move forward with personal forgiveness. From the counseling perspective, it may become challenging to introduce the concept of forgiveness without being forceful with their clients (McMinn, 2011). However, both topics of confession and forgiveness must be embedded in the counseling practice as a means to facilitate personal and spiritual development.

Analysis

The approach that McMinn (2011) took in his book is unique in the sense of the need to find a balance between scholarly discourse and spirituality in counseling. What is essential is that the book contains numerous examples and hypothetical scenarios involving patients facing different life dilemmas. The purpose of the book was to show that counselors do not need to choose between secular and spiritual practice; instead, they should adapt to what their clients need and expect from counseling, encouraging them to be open and not critical. Another unique idea put forth by the author is that counselors get confused too when it comes to religious values in the office. McMinn (2011) proposes that the integration of Christian beliefs and counseling techniques becomes highly practical, and finding out what works for some clients and what does not is a matter of practice and personal reflection. Finally, the author raises a question as to who relevant ethical standards should be defined in order to apply them to the understanding and confrontation of sin. The principle of doing no harm should be placed at the forefront to ensure that whatever a counselor does, he or she should do what is best for the client.

Application

In the future, I am planning to work with vulnerable individuals, such as representatives of the low socioeconomic background, people struggling with substance abuse and addiction, as well as the elderly. It is important that within such a setting, the counseling approach combines the best practices from evidence-based counseling with holistic spiritual practicees that fit the needs of clients. It may be useful to incorporate such principles described by McMinn (2011) as prayer, sin, confession, forgiveness, and spiritual health. From a counseling standpoint, prayer can be used as one of the tools to facilitate devotional reflection and meditation (McMinn, 2011). The understanding of sin is necessary for pinpointing the reasons behind clients mental suffering while confession will open opportunities for healing and self-discovery. With the help of forgiveness, the clients can attain a redemptive capacity that they can use in their life when overcoming the negative thoughts about sinful acts. Overall, McMinns (2011) advise is greatly important for the future practice because it calls for all Christian counselors worldwide to work together toward the improvement of the populations not only mental but also spiritual well-being.

Reference

McMinn, M. R. (2011). Psychology, theology, and spirituality in Christian counseling (Rev. ed.). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House. ISBN: 9780842352529.

Stages of counseling

The first step in counseling is problem identification, which is also referred to as social anxiety scenario. In this stage, the issue should be acknowledged and be explained in detail. Moreover, the needs of the client ought to be understood.

Identified skills used

The skills that should be demonstrated in role-playing include a positive attitude and acceptance. I used this skill throughout the process. Moreover, I utilized affirmation as a strategy. Collaboration is an additional strategy that was used effectively. Furthermore, empathy is another strategy, which is the easiest to apply. Listening is the main factor to consider when interacting with a client. Apart from employing listening skills, I also utilized modeling even though it was a little difficult for me, particularly when I was putting it into practice with one of the clients, Diana Perez. I felt like it was difficult because her situation was severe and distressing, but I had to demonstrate a positive attitude as a counselor and show empathy at the same time. When the idea of offering resources to my client cropped up, I was a bit confused because I was not quite sure if I was supposed to mention it at this stage. As I progressed with the interview, I realized that it was appropriate to offer resources.

Why each skill was appropriate for the stage

Accepting is a major factor that determines the success of any counseling process. This means that Diana would have terminated the interview instantly if I did not accept her problem. Additionally, affirmation is another stage that should be used in the counseling process, as well as in real-life situations. This is because it encourages people to share their problems with professionals. I informed Diana that she was not alone and I would do everything in my power to help her. Diana collaborated from the moment we started the session to the end. This proved that a positive attitude was needed to ensure that she gives full information regarding what happened to her. Empathy is also of the essence since the situation that the client was going through was saddening.

I had to show my sense of compassion and understanding for her to feel comfortable. Listening was the major skill in this stage since the client admits the problem at this stage. In my case, Diana talked for a few minutes about the incident. She explained that the uncle raped her, which was a sad story. I interrupted a couple of times to gather more information. I sat close to her to let her know that I was interested in and listening to what she was saying. However, I was not too close to where she would have been uncomfortable. I also mentioned to her that I would have some resources to present to in the next visit. I thought this would help her know that if she needs a personal counseling session, I would be willing to offer freely. This would help her recover fully. At the beginning of the session, I told Diana that I truly admired her. I knew that this would make her come back for further counseling.

What was learned, including strengths and areas of growth

The counseling process was productive because it boosted my confidence. I had an opportunity to practice many skills that I once doubted. I had to reread the chapter several times, which allowed me to memorize it. I was able to prepare for future outcomes because I knew that counseling is not an easy task. I also found myself feeling comfortable while offering professional services. This proved that I would enjoy counseling as a career in my life. In the past, I had confessed to Dr. Murphy that I had problems listening to people because I had the habit of interrupting frequently.

Introduction

A change is letting go of dysfunctional patterns of relationship, self-sabotaging behaviors, and irrational beliefs and replacing them with positive, proactive, and conscious modes of operation that result in wellness, happiness, and success. Counselors build a therapeutic relationship by understanding how people go through a behavior revolution since it allows them to set the tone that suits a particular client. People undergoing conversion need to reinvent themselves so that their outer and inner personas are in alignment.

Five Stages of the Change Process

Five stages are involved in the transformation process and comprise different strategies and interventions. The initial stage that involves pre-contemplation refers to when the individual is not aware of their problems and there is no intention to change (Shebib, 2017). Contemplation is the next level, which encompasses alertness to the existing difficulties and seriously thinking about overcoming them but no commitment to resolve them (Shebib, 2017). The third phase contains preparation, where the person combines their willingness to transform soonest but has not taken measures for the longest time (Shebib, 2017).

Action is the fourth step in which somebody modifies their behavior, environment, and experiences to defeat their glitches (Shebib, 2017). This period requires considerable commitment of time and energy for effectiveness. Then the final phase is maintenance and which consists of preventing relapse and consolidating the benefits that were attained in the previous pace (Shebib, 2017). This segment may extend from six months to an indeterminate period, depending on the addictive activities of a victim.

Key Characteristics of a Therapeutic Relationship

A therapeutic relationship is a connection between a healthcare professional and a patient who engage with each other to effect a beneficial transformation for the sufferer. An effective beneficial affiliation consists of essential characteristics that include care, respect, an emotional bond of trust, agreement on the therapy goals, and collaboration on the treatment tasks (Shebib, 2017). The process helps in developing the victim by fostering adaptation, maturation, openness, integration, and the ability to find meaning in the situation present.

Phases of Counseling

A counseling process involves well-structured sessions where a trained and a qualified counselor converses with a patient to help them identify the source of their problems and find approaches to deal with such issues. According to Spindel (2020), a successful counseling process has to go through five stages, as discussed above. Firstly, relationship building is crucial in making the client comfortable to share with the counselor. Problem assessment is the second stage, in which the counselor listens to the client to understand their needs. Thirdly is goal setting, where both set the objectives, they should achieve at the end of the session. Psychoanalysis intervention is the fourth stage, where the counselor advises the client based on the existing behavioral theories. Lastly is the evaluation, which involves assessing if the process has been successful or referral is required. The entire process necessitates patience for it to be effective because the psychoanalyst does not fix the client but requires interaction and commitment from the parties involved.

Core Values of Counseling

Ethics in the counseling field involves the standards suggested by established professional organizations to help counselors with values, morals, and decision-making. Empathy display is a core value that indicates that the therapist is listening, understanding, and experiencing the information being shared by the victim. Maintaining confidentiality is a responsibility that counselors should undertake to protect the privacy of their clients (Spindel, 2020). Self-determination quality, as a psychoanalyst, directs that all humans have similar psychological needs that include competence, autonomy, and relatedness that underlie growth and development.

Conclusion

Admittedly, the counseling process is essential in helping individuals rediscover their purpose and focus on developing themselves. The sessions may be beneficial for people struggling with depression, anxiety, and stress since they can help them understand how to handle their emotions better. Stages involved in the transformation development help in eliminating or modifying problematic behaviors. The progress is not rapid or easy and calls for patience and commitment from both the counselor and the client for it to be effective.

References

Spindel, P. (2020). Case management from an empowerment perspective: A guide for health and human services professionals (4^th ed.). Canadian Scholars.

Shebib, B. (2017). Choices: Interviewing and counseling skills for Canadians (6^th ed.). Pearson Education Canada.