Our Plans in the Midst of God's Plans

Caption: God’s Master Plan

© Hands from the River

Retrieved from: http://handsfromtheriver.com/healing/making-a-decree-part-1

While reading the chapters for this week’s blog assignment I noticed the need for open mindedness throughout the process, counselee motivation for change, and patience on the part of the counselor and counselee. As humans we naturally make automatic assessments when meeting and interacting with others. Counselors then should think about those initial reactions as they can help understand the client “for himself” (Thomas & Sosin, 2011). 

Remaining open minded during the conceptualization process serves to rule out judgments made solely on the counselor’s feelings.  Secondly, as much as we want to see healthy change within our clients. That change cannot happen apart from clients wanting change for themselves. Thomas and Sosin (2011) called this motivation. This brings to mind a powerful parallel between change in the counseling process and change in the salvation process. We walk alongside others who need salvation, knowing that we cannot save them. Likewise we alongside our client’s knowing we cannot change them. Christ is the One common denominator in that equation and I pray His hope abounds in us as Christians and counselors.

Lastly, patience is vital whether change happens throughout our time with clients or not. As we cannot bring about change, rushing that change by grasping at every treatment plan available will be to no avail. We must slow down, pray, and collaborate with clients and the right treatment plan will come. Sometimes this may mean referral (Thomas & Sosin, 2011).  Whatever earthly plan is best for treatment, we can rest assured in God’s divine treatment plan.

Reference:

Thomas, J.C. & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group.



Virginia Sunset

Photographer: Glenn Stepp

As our time draws to a close

            Nearing the end of the semester, we have learned vital information in how to care for clients that come into the office for advice. Yet, there is still so much that we are learning in this class that will allow us to become more competent counselors. This particular section of the text allowed me to see how counseling sessions can progress beyond the skills that we have learned thus far.

            Chapter ten goes into detail about getting to know the client from the start of the counseling process, and building rapport with the client while getting to know their background (Thomas & Sosin, 2011). Building that strong therapeutic relationship will go a long way in seeing the client come to a better understanding of what they came to counseling for and they will be more receptive with any kind of advice the counselor may give. The beginning assessment or intake form is extremely helpful to get to know the client as they begin the journey toward healing and this chapter has a chart the really puts into perspective what ideas should be covered in the initial stages (Thomas & Sosin, 2011, p. 333-337). Knowing what questions to ask will aid in growing rapport and will also allow the counselor to see where the client is coming from in order to help them more effectively.

            Chapter eleven and twelve go hand-in-hand because one talks about getting to the root of the presenting problem and the following chapter discusses how this problem will be resolved or at least moving in the right direction. In my opinion, at least at this stage in my journey towards becoming a counselor, understanding the client and knowing where to go is the most daunting task. Making sure to know exactly where the client comes from and where he or she wants to go will be difficult at first I believe. The approach in the text called the AIM model strategically lays out the process of conceptualization and makes it more manageable in a step by step process (Thomas and Sosin, 2011, p. 366). These guidelines will make it much easier to help the client because there is a road map. In the final chapter, change is discussed and the challenges that come with changing what has possibly been hindering the client for a long time (Thomas & Sosin, 2011, p. 396). I believe this will be another challenging part of counseling because I long to help people and see change in them and it will be a long process sometimes and I need to be prepared for the time that it takes.

Thomas, J. C., & Sosin, L. (2011). Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. Nashville, TN: B & H Publishing Group.

Ice Breaker

                                   Picture taken by James Vaccaro 11/02/2014 in Lynchburg, Va.

After reading and meditating on the reading material these past few weeks, I have some thoughts and comments about the information.  First, I thoroughly enjoyed examining Hawkin's personality wheel on page 339 (Thomas & Sosin, 2011).   Even though I believe human personality is more complex than this wheel, there still is a great deal of truth and this wheel can help a Christian Counselor, or a Professional Counselor for that matter, organize a great deal of information about people in this diagram!  Second, in Chapter eleven of the text, there were three areas of client mental mapping (Thomas & Sosin, 2011).  One is generalization, the next is deletion, the last one is distortions.  I agree that these areas, according to the authors definitions, should be "put in check" so that greater understanding can be accomplished in the helping relationship between the counselor and client.  I also disagree that the counselor cannot refer to their experiences to help the client.  The reason I disagree is because there are many examples of human experience we all share and will be beneficial for the counselor understanding.  For example, it is natural to refer to our experiences, mentally, when someone brings up a topic to remember early experiences  (Feldman, 2014).  Some examples include stress, learning, shopping, criminals, justice, right and wrong, and education.  My point is this: we all share life and experiences; we all have this in common, so why not relate and be able to refer to our experiences?  Lastly, in chapter twelve, I felt the authors "hit the nail on the head" about the nature of change.  Experience has taught me that one must prepare to change their mind, heart, and behavior.  Then put these beliefs in motion.  Through trial and error and maintenance, one has better changes of change! Before any of what I, or the authors discussed in their text can happen, there must be an icebreaker.

Feldman, Robert S. (2014). Development Across the Life Span. Boston, MA: Pearson Publishing.

Thomas, John C., Sosin, Lisa. Therapeutic Expedition (2011). Nashville, TN; B & H Publishing Group.

-To Change or Not to Change-

Caption: We Hold the Power to Change, But Will We?

Photographer: Me (Camille Piccirillo)

As counseling students, I think we are all aware that the counseling process hinges on the client making changes to his or her life. However, Thomas and Sosin (2011) state that “Not everyone recognizes a problem when one exists, or at least does not recognize the severity of the problem (p. 394). As a counselor, it can be frustrating when I client is unaware of the things that need to change in his or her life. These authors continue to mention that learned helplessness and a victim mentality play into one’s lack of desire to change. Furthermore, pain is often associated with change, whether that be a motivation for change or a result of beginning to change an unhealthy lifestyle. Thomas and Sosin reiterate this by stating that “The fundamental reality of being willing and ready to change is felt pain” (p. 395). While pain can be a good motivation for one to change his or her life, “Nothing is more empowering than realizing you have the ability to make changes” (Thomas & Sosin, p. 395). Even when a client has realized that he or she has the ability to make changes, Thomas and Sosin mention reluctance, being a forced to be a client against one’s will, and resistance, avoiding the counseling and changing process, as two barriers to one’s processes of change (Thomas & Sosin). As counselors, we can be aware of the process of change as a whole and learn how to properly be present with a client as he or she discovers the changes that need to take place in one’s life, and then begins the process of change.

Reference

Thomas, J. C., & Sosin, L. (2011).Therapeutic expedition: Equipping the Christian counselor for the journey. B&H Publishing.

Understanding God through Family and friends.

My Sister, My Best Friend

Photo by: Meagan Eckhardt

         While reading these past couple weeks one specific section stuck out to me. Chapter 10 in Thomas and Sosin's book Therapeutic Expedition reviews the process of assessing a client. This chapter is very helpful in addressing specific areas and tactics that a counselor should be aware of when approaching client assessment. One aspect that stuck out to me was assessing social and family history. The author states "When it comes to knowing who God is, what he have experienced in our most intimate relationships has a critical impact (Thomas & Sosin, 2010, p.349)" This section reminded me of my relationship with my family and most specifically my younger sister. This was the first time that I processed how my younger sister and I have reflected and influenced each others views towards relating to God.  There was a time in my life where my sister and I were very distant. We grew up best friends, and when I started a season of rebellion in my life I found myself withdrawing from this close intimate relationship I had developed with her. I stopped staying up late at night talking to her and started coming home late at night and going right to bed. When she drew close to me asking me questions I found myself being fake and not open with her. 

    When assessing a client's social and family history a counselor will understand how the clients social and family history affect their view of God, and use this understanding to create adequate treatment plans for the client. For instance if a counselor was assessing me during that period of my life they may have picked up on my withdraw from friends and family reflected my withdraw from God and the Holy Spirit. I also believe it is more important that a counselor becomes self aware of how their view of God is affected and has been affected by their own social and family relationships. This level of self awareness will protect the counselor from countertransference if the client is going through something similar. Self awareness in dealing with family and social dynamics is key in understanding others social and family dynamics. 

    I can honestly say my relationship with my younger sister has shown me how persistent and present God is. She reflects the LOVE of Christ to me, and is a physical reminder of Gods love and patience during my failures. I am grateful that God created humanity in a relatiobal way so that we can have a tangible example of relating to Him.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Change is a Good Thing

                 “Very often a change of self is needed more than a change of scene.”

                                                                                    -A. C. Benson

                   

                Caption: Leadership Retreat in Blowing Rock, NC (October, 2014)

There is an obsession with the term “change” in our present day society. If there is change there is opposition. If there is not change there is talk about the possibility of occurring change. Everyone is affected by change, and everyone has an opinion on change.

I personally believe that change is a good thing. I believe most individuals want change, but when it is outside of our control we get nervous and hesitant. God made man for change. The seasons are a prime example of good change. God did not want monotony in the weather and provided the world with a beautiful flow of progression through seasons of change. Christmas is just around the corner and there will soon be snow on the ground. When we expect change we look forward to it. The counseling process can often be fear invoking for clients who have never experienced counseling before or do not know what to expect. For this reason it is necessary for counselors to prepare the client for what sessions will commonly entail. Chapter 12 of the textbook provides pertinent questions on the stages of change through expedition questions, change questions, and the process (). These questions help to direct the process of growth by letting the client determine what is important and where they want the counseling process to take them. I also appreciated the distinction made in chapter 10 on the difference between emotions and feelings. This was insightful on how the client’s history affects the current view of life’s circumstances. Deep rooted change will not occur overnight. A counselor will need to first address the fleeting feelings before a client will be vulnerable to discuss emotions. The process of change may not be fully accepted at the beginning of counseling, but through genuine care and attentive listening a counselor may be able to help a client accomplish goals and reach effective change for a positive future.

Sosin, L., & Thomas, J. C. (2011). Therapeutic Expedition Equipping the Christian Counselor for the Journey.. Nashville: B & H Pub. Group.