Theories in My Model of Helping

In my endeavors within my career, I hope to be an effective helper. My personal model of helping includes basic ideas from Adlerian, existential, and person-centered theories and includes emphasis from behaviorism, gestalt, rational-emotive, and reality theories. I have formed my viewpoint from the vast array of techniques and methods I have chosen since one theory or one chosen emphasis does not include all aspects I believe need to be addressed in order to be an effective helper. I will explain why I formed my viewpoint from each of the theories I have selected, identify strengths and limitations, and discuss multicultural issues.

The first theory I have included in my personal model of helping is the Adlerian theory. I am not going to say that I would put an emphasis on social interests but feel that having a sense of others outside oneself is an important aspect of developing wisdom about interconnectedness within one's environment. I also believe birth order and family constellation need to be considered, because at times, roles are assigned and "reinforced by societal norms" (Cicirelli, 1994). Family constellation needs to be considered, because the conditions within a family unit can affect behavior development and personality (Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, 2010).

Understanding a client's past influences often helps uncover details that are insightful during treatment. For example, when a client experiences childhood neglect, his or her view of the world may be unfriendly and cold (Perrott, 2003). One should ascertain who a client feels he or she is and who he or she would like to become.

Per the Adlerian theory, my role as helper would be to establish rapport with the client, evaluate the client's circumstances, and use modeling to encourage the client in his or her efforts to acquire changed behaviors.
Like the Adlerian concept, I feel face to face interviews in psychotherapy are important in the partnership between client and helper (Perrott, 2003). Time between appointments would be based on individual need. Today, many therapists have decided to see clients by way of teleconferencing. I believe teleconferencing may be fine for some, but those who require face to face communication should not be coerced into teleconferencing.

The second theory I have included ideas from is the existential theory. In conjunction with this theory, I place importance on personal freedoms and choice. I do not feel the position of the helper is to tell the client what he or she should do. Instead, I believe the helper can offer suggestions and options. In this way, the client maintains the freedom and empowerment in making his or her own decisions.

The helper needs to be real with the client, not a picture of what the helper feels the client wants to see. A person can usually see through one who pretends to be someone he or she is not. Such a false front does not establish a trusting relationship between helper and client. A client needs to also be real and take personal responsibility for his or her actions. Misdirecting blame for one's actions is a quality found in the false reality of a narcissist. Refusing to take responsibility retards one's ability to grow in a positive path. The client may develop a will to accomplish goals and learn about attitude modification to see circumstances in a new light (Perrott, 2003).

I appreciate the focus on positive projection of humankind and forward growth within a right environment which is highlighted in person-centered theory (Perrott, 2003). One acknowledging the good found in people allows him or her to be confident in his or her dealings with others. When a client creates an atmosphere which is pleasant to him or her, which includes home, office, friends, and family, he or she is likely to be at ease. There will be negative things to cross one's path, but when he or she can focus on the positive and appreciate the negative as learning tools, he or she can grow in the right direction.

I believe a client should learn about him or herself and be able to accept him or herself for who he or she is. A client should learn to accept others in their differences. Another aspect I like about person-centered theory is the focus on the here and now. I believe it is fine for one to discuss and understand one's past, but at times, one can get stuck there. Taking time to concentrate on the present helps one to figure out what is going on right at this time in his or her life, and appropriate goals can be set for opportunity for growth.

Like Carl Rogers, I feel the more responsibility a client takes for his or her healing, the more effective therapy will be (Perrott, 2003). I believe that once a client can feel satisfied with life and what he or she feels his or her purpose is, the individual is better able to be a productive part of a community. One's experiences help him or her to understand life and grow in wisdom (Perrott, 2003). One can read about subjects all day and have vast textbook knowledge, but until one puts his or her hands into tasks, makes mistakes or succeeds, and practices, he or she will lack experience. Experiences and how we react to those experiences will help form who we are and whom we will become.

My personal model of helping also includes ideas from behaviorism. I am a firm believer that an old dog can learn new tricks so-to-speak. The excuse that one continues a behavior based on the behavior being an old, bad habit that cannot be broken is no excuse. One can change any behavior he or she wants to change. As a helper, my role would be to assist the client "in clarifying goals" and changing behaviors (Perrott, 2003).

An aspect of behavior therapy I believe can be helpful to a client is assertiveness training. One can have healthier self-esteem when he or she can speak up for what he or she feels is right. One who conforms to others' beliefs all the time when he or she does not really believe in something can make one feel unaccounted for and weak.

Another aspect of behavior therapy I think is useful is behavior rehearsal. When a client practices techniques in a safe setting, such as a counselor's office, he or she can become confident and feel better about acting out the behavior later for real. I also think that the concept of extinction is beneficial. An example of extinction is when you fail to respond to a particular behavior. I have found this method useful when working with a client who has a behavior that is not appropriate. My lack of response does not give him or her desired attention he or she wished to invoke. I find he or she will try a tactic that I may instead respond to. Extinction is effective with children when they have tantrums, and I find the technique effective with temperamental or aggressive adults as well. Other techniques I agree with are progressive relaxation to aid clients in relief from stress, anxiety, and aches resulting from tension, social modeling, which places the client in the position of observer to watch how others act, react, and respond, and reinforcement, which gives the client a feel-good bonus when he or she has accomplished something.

Gestalt holds onto the concept of "resolving unfinished business", which I believe ties directly into "growing up mentally" (Perrott, 2003). When one does not deal with fragmentary parts of one's life, he or she can feel unable to move on, or depending on the circumstances, embittered and almost frozen in a moment. By tying up loose ends, one can close the chapter on the unresolved part and move forward. When the path forward includes positive steps, one grows mentally as well. I also wanted to touch on the ideas of fantasy. Fantasy can develop new feelings and help one to create a story he or she wants to attain. Such creativity can assist one in discovering hidden aspirations one was not aware of before.

As I concur one is both irrational and rational and can certainly disturb oneself based on what one thinks I find rational-emotive theory helpful. I believe helping a client eliminate "self-defeating habits" is critical to the client (Perrott, 2003). Logical reasoning is also an important skill. When one becomes controlled by emotions, one often loses insight of logic. Logic is reasonable and sound. One who thinks logically is better able to make right decisions.

Just as logic is important, I feel being rational is also important. Reality-based helping emphasizes becoming rational (Perrott, 2003). Another part of reality-based helping I subscribe to is being realistic in goal-setting and "eliminating excuses" (Perrott, 2003). For example, one who decides to lose forty pounds for a class reunion which will be held in one month is not setting a realistic goal. One would instead need to set that goal sooner. An example of doing away with excuses is when one claims he or she does not have time to take a night class to work toward advancement in his or her career but has two or three hours each night to play a video game or watch television. Setting priorities is an important part of helping.

Limitations in the theories I have selected to form my personal model of helping would be noted in techniques from each theory that may not be appropriate for some clients due to personality or culture, which includes differing societal norms and personal belief systems. A helper needs to be flexible since technique and theory are not one-size-fits-all. A helper needs to be cognizant of a client's comfort level and as rapport is built with a client, aware of what will and will not work. Overall, I believe the techniques I have chosen to use from what I have learned in class will be helpful to clients who desire behavior change and positive growth.

There are multicultural factors to consider when helping. For helping to be effective, a helper must understand his or her culture first (Bolton-Brownlee, 1987). Next, a helper needs to work toward understanding the client's culture. After gaining client understanding, a helper can avoid "problems of stereotyping and false expectations" (Bolton-Brownlee, 1987). By recognizing a client's culture, a helper can be sensitive to client attributions, expectations, roles, values, and beliefs (Bolton-Brownlee, 1987). Cultural awareness helps one to develop the appropriate methods that may be used to help in an effective manner.

My personal model of helping combines ideas from Adlerian, existential, and person-centered theories and includes emphasis from behaviorism, gestalt, rational-emotive, and reality theories. Picking and choosing techniques to use will vary from client to client based on personal need and cultural awareness. Effective helping can be achieved with these theories as long as the helper remains client-centered.

References:

Bolton-Brownlee, A. (1987). Issues in multicultural counseling. ERIC Clearinghouse on

Counseling and Personnel Services. (n.d.) Retrieved May 13, 2010, from http://www.ericdigests.org/pre-925/issues.htm

Cicirelli, V.G. (1994). Sibling relationships in cross-cultural perspective. Journal of Marriage & the Family, 56, 7-20.

Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. (2010). Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Retrieved May 12, 2010, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/constellation

Parrott III, L. (2003). Counseling and psychotherapy (2nd ed.). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole/Thomson Learning.