Cultural limitations/obstacles to applying this approach to your life
3) One Technique:
a. Identify one strategy or technique you could use with the client and describe the strategy or technique.
b. Discuss why you chose the technique for use with this client.
4) Dialogue: This section contains two parts:
a. Provide a 10x10 (or longer) practice dialogue (10 counselor statements and 10 client statements) to give us a brief snapshot of how you would go about using the above strategy or technique. See the attached skills guide for some basic counseling skills that can assist you when implementing the selected strategy or technique.
b. Explain how successful you felt your 10 x 10 sample was and identify what counseling skills you wish to improve in your CNDV 5310 skills class that you will take in the future.
5) Reflection:
a. Provide at least one example of how you could apply any strategy, technique, or concept of this theoretical approach to an area of your life to learn something about yourself personally. Also, explain what you learned.
b. What challenges did you encounter when attempting to apply an aspect of this theoretical approach to your life? Provide at least one example.
c. Did you notice any cultural limitations/obstacles to applying this approach to your life? Describe the cultural limitation or explain how the approach is culturally responsive.
Case Scenario
Case of Matt:
Matt is a 44-year-old man with three children, a spouse, and a job in finance. He comes to you for counseling to discover a way to free himself from the “shackles” of his meaningless job and normality.
Matt Explains: “I you wanted, I guess you could infer that I am going through somewhat of an identity crisis. Every day is the same and I feel like I need to take action and do something about it, I am simply not happy. Anyone would expect that a person my age would already be settled into a career and family life and be happy, but my job is horrible. I believe most of my dissatisfaction comes from working at that stupid place. I have worked at the firm since graduating college. Every day is the same, I sit in my cell (a.k.a., cubical) and generate reports. As usual, every day I am asked to stay late. Almost every weekend, I am asked to come in on Saturday. My bosses continually waive the possibility of promotion over my head if I work hard for the company, but nothing happens. Did I mention that I have four different bosses to answer to every day. That means four different people to tell me what to do, what I did wrong, and to stay late every day. I am fed up. I feel like that guy in the move office space, I just want to smash up their printer with a baseball bat (not really, but it is fun to think about). The conservative part of me says I must stay and put up with what you’ve got because that is what a man does! Then another side of me says leave and find something else more fulfilling. I’m really torn whether I should stay or leave. I keep thinking of my kids. I feel I should support them and see them through college—and if I go to another job I’ll have to take a big pay cut. I feel guilty about even thinking of letting my kids down when they expect me to see them through. And then my wife tells me I should just accept that what I’m feeling is normal for my age—a midlife crisis, she calls it. She says I should get rid of foolish notions about making a job change at my age. Then there’s always the fear that I would quit and never find a new job. I don’t know what to do, help!
Sample Solution
Strategy or Technique
One strategy or technique that I could use with the client is reframing. Reframing is a way of looking at a situation from a different perspective. It can be helpful for clients who are stuck in negative thinking patterns.
Why I Chose the Technique
I chose this technique for use with this client because she is struggling with negative thoughts about herself. She believes that she is not good enough and that she will never be successful. Reframing can help her to see her situation in a new light and to develop more positive thoughts about herself.
Dialogue
- Counselor: Hi, I'm glad you could come in today. I understand that you're feeling down about yourself.
- Client: Yeah, I just feel like I'm not good enough. I'll never be successful.
- Counselor: I can see how you might feel that way. But what if we looked at the situation from a different perspective? What if we said that you're actually a very capable person who has just been dealt some tough circumstances?
- Client: I don't know. It's hard to see it that way.
- Counselor: I know it's hard. But I think it's worth trying. Let's take a look at some of the things that you've accomplished in your life.
- Client: Well, I graduated from college and I have a good job.
- Counselor: That's right! And you're a great mom to your kids.
- Client: Yeah, I guess I am.
- Counselor: So, see? You're not a failure. You're a successful person who has just been dealt some tough circumstances.
- Client: I guess you're right.