Father-Daughter-Hug-Happy
Positive
Psychology has grown increasingly popular among mental health professionals
with humanistic approaches, and gratitude is considered one of the
strengths-based approaches that is receiving research support (Young, 2017). As
defined by Young (2017), gratitude is “a feeling that results when one
recognizes a benefit that is unwarranted and unexpected.” The word grateful
comes from the Latin word gratus
which denotes a concept of unmerited favor (Young & Hutchinson, 2012). Gratitude
can be expressed toward a Higher Being, other people, or life in general (Young
& Hutchinson, 2012). Gratitude can be a disposition or personality trait or
the emotion which comes through the act of recognizing positive aspects of life
(Young & Hutchinson, 2012). In other words, gratitude is not only a natural
feeling but can be a choice of the will as well.
Some
research has shown that gratitude can help fight against stress, depression,
antisocial behavior, substance abuse, self-blame, and sleep trouble to name a
few (Young & Hutchinson, 2012). Some researchers have used neuroimaging to
look at how expressions of gratitude can affect neural activity (Kini, Wong,
McInnis, Gabana, & Brown, 2016). Helping clients use gratitude fits well
with a holistic model of professional counseling which focuses on overall
wellness rather than pathology (Young & Hutchinson, 2012). Gratitude is to
be used in conjunction with other counseling interventions, not the least of
which are support, empathy and reflection of feeling (Young, 2017). According
to Young (2017), utilizing gratitude in counseling does not mean that client
problems are ignored or minimized, but rather it allows clients to attain a
more accurate picture of life with its both positive and negative aspects
(Young, 2017). Possible techniques include gratitude journaling, letter
writing, gift giving, and even phone apps such as gratitude365app (Young,
2012).
References
Kini, P., Wong, J., McInnis, S., Gabana, N., & Brown, J. W. (2016). The effects of gratitude expression on neural activity. NeuroImage, 128, 1-10.
Young, M. E., & Hutchinson, T. S. (2012). The
rediscovery of gratitude: Implications for counseling practice. The Journal of Humanistic Counseling, 51(1),
99-113.
Young, M. E. (2017). Learning the Art of Helping: Building Blocks and Techniques (6th
ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.
Amber, I'm so glad that you wrote about gratitude. That has been something that I've been thinking about this past semester. Oftentimes, clients come to counselors because something is occurring in their lives that they would like help on. In fact, it could be something that is very discouraging and creates much sadness. However, counselors can provide the clients with homework that focuses on gratitude such as writing in a journal or sending a letter. I have been attempting to write a letter a day to those important to me, and I have already seen an improvement in my attitude towards them.
ReplyDeleteAmber, thank you for writing about the power of gratitude. I am always struck when researchers have found direct effects of interventions through brain imaging. It is so fascinating when parts of the brain 'light up' when gratitude is practiced. This finding is impactful and can help one recognize his or her need to practice it (since you mentioned it can be a choice of will). This skill can be taught to our future clients to help them, so thank you for sharing this. Now, I am more aware and can be more mindful! - Jenna
ReplyDeleteThis is such an awesome post and is an awesome reminder for me personally. This has been an area where I have struggled pretty much all of my life, and my outlook on life has been greatly, but negatively impacted because of it. This is a great reminder to look for the positives and to be grateful for the things that we have. I think it would prove beneficial to take time with a depressed or stressed client and ask them the things that they are grateful for, or ways that they can show gratitude for those things or people. Maybe it would be interesting to create additional stress in a client by having them imagine what things would be like if they did not have certain things or people. This might be something done with clients who find it difficult to find something they are grateful for. Imagining not having such things or people may make them realize that they do have reason to be joyful and appreciative of what they do have. It is questionable if this would be ethical or not or the amount of harm it could do, but it is a thought if nothing else.
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