Posted: February 5th, 2023

CNL-500 Theories and Models of Counseling

CNL-500 Theories and Models of Counseling
Read the “Case Study Analysis” document and select one of six case studies.

Select one of the following theories that you feel best applies to treating the client in the case study:

Feminist
Solution-focused
Narrative
Ace my homework – Write a 1,000-1,500-word analysis of the case study using the theory you chose. Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include the following in your analysis.

What will be the goals of counseling and what intervention strategies are used to accomplish those goals?
Describe the process of treatment using this theory. This should include a description of the length of treatment, the role of the counselor, and the experience of the client as they work from beginning to termination of therapy.
How does this theory address the social and cultural needs of the client? (Cite specific research findings)
Describe how your chosen theory supports the use of a constructivist philosophy throughout the counseling process. How does a collaborative approach change the ability for clients to create and accomplish their goals through counseling services?
How should a counselor who utilizes post-modern / collaborative approaches interact with their clients in order to prevent undue harm, risk, or confusion from impeding the progress of therapy?
Get custom essay samples and course-specific study resources via course hero homework for you service – Include at least six scholarly references in your paper.

Solution-Focused Counseling Theory Analysis

Introduction:
Solution-focused counseling is a strengths-based, client-centered approach that aims to help clients identify their goals, strengths, and resources to create solutions for the challenges they are facing. This theory is an effective approach for a wide range of clients and problems, as it focuses on what is working in a person’s life, instead of what is not working. This theory is appropriate for the case study of Sarah, a young woman struggling with anxiety and depression.

Goals of Counseling:
The goal of solution-focused counseling in Sarah’s case is to help her identify her strengths and resources to overcome her challenges and live a more fulfilling life. The counselor will help Sarah focus on the present and future, and identify what is working in her life. They will also help her identify the changes she wants to make and develop strategies for achieving those changes.

Intervention Strategies:
The intervention strategies used in solution-focused counseling include the following:

Solution-focused questions: The counselor will ask questions to help Sarah identify what is working in her life, what she wants to change, and what she wants to accomplish in therapy.

Scaling questions: The counselor will use scaling questions to help Sarah evaluate her progress and determine if she is moving in the right direction.

Miracle question: The counselor will ask Sarah to imagine a miracle has occurred, and ask her how she knows that the miracle has occurred. This question will help Sarah identify the changes she wants to make and the goals she wants to achieve in therapy.

Externalizing problems: The counselor will help Sarah externalize her problems, which means that she will view her problems as separate from her, instead of as a part of her. This will help her develop a more positive and proactive approach to solving her problems.

Process of Treatment:
The process of treatment using solution-focused counseling will involve the following steps:

Assessment: The counselor will conduct an initial assessment to determine Sarah’s strengths, resources, and goals for therapy.

Developing a therapeutic alliance: The counselor will build a strong therapeutic relationship with Sarah, in which she feels comfortable and supported in therapy.

Solution-focused questioning: The counselor will use solution-focused questions to help Sarah identify what is working in her life and what she wants to change.

Scaling questions: The counselor will use scaling questions to help Sarah evaluate her progress and determine if she is moving in the right direction.

Miracle question: The counselor will ask Sarah to imagine a miracle has occurred, and ask her how she knows that the miracle has occurred.

Solution-focused techniques: The counselor will use other solution-focused techniques, such as externalizing problems and scaling questions, to help Sarah identify the changes she wants to make and develop strategies for achieving those changes.

Termination of therapy: The length of treatment will vary based on Sarah’s individual needs, but the goal of therapy is to help her achieve her goals and live a more fulfilling life. When Sarah has achieved her goals, the counselor will help her prepare for termination of therapy.

Social and Cultural Needs:
Solution-focused counseling addresses the social and cultural needs of the client by recognizing that each client is unique and has their own strengths, resources, and cultural background. This theory recognizes that each client’s culture and background will impact their experiences and perspectives, and the counselor will work to understand and respect those perspectives.

Constructivist Philosophy:
Solution-focused counseling supports the use of a constructivist philosophy throughout the counseling process by recognizing that clients are the experts on their own lives and that the role of the counselor is to facilitate their growth and development. This approach is based on the idea that individuals construct their own meanings and reality based on their experiences and interactions with others. The counselor will work with Sarah to help her construct new meanings and solutions to her problems, rather than imposing their own solutions.

Collaborative Approach:
A collaborative approach in solution-focused counseling is essential to help clients create and accomplish their goals through counseling services. This approach emphasizes the importance of a partnership between the counselor and the client, where both parties work together to achieve the client’s goals. The counselor will actively listen to Sarah, validate her experiences, and help her identify her strengths and resources. By working collaboratively, the counselor and Sarah will develop a strong therapeutic relationship that will support her in achieving her goals.

Preventing Undue Harm, Risk, or Confusion:
To prevent undue harm, risk, or confusion in solution-focused counseling, the counselor should interact with their clients in an open, transparent, and non-judgmental manner. The counselor should provide clear explanations of the counseling process and the goals of therapy, and actively seek feedback from the client. The counselor should also be mindful of their own biases and assumptions, and work to maintain a neutral stance in therapy.

Solution-focused counseling is an effective approach for helping individuals overcome challenges and live a more fulfilling life. This theory emphasizes the importance of identifying the strengths, resources, and goals of the client, and working collaboratively to achieve those goals. By recognizing the unique perspectives and cultural background of the client, solution-focused counseling provides a supportive and empowering environment for individuals to construct new solutions to their problems.

References:
de Shazer, S. (1988). Clues: Investigating solutions in brief therapy. New York, NY: Norton.
Egan, G. (2010 – Essay Writing Service: Write My Essay by Top-Notch Writer). The skilled helper: A problem-management and opportunity-development approach to helping (9th ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.
O’Connell, B. (2010 – Essay Writing Service: Write My Essay by Top-Notch Writer). Solution-focused brief therapy. In J. Walen & S. L. Holloway (Eds.), Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling: A practical guide (pp. 325-338). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Schreurs, K. (2015 – Research Paper Writing Help Service). Solution-focused therapy. In D. J. Cain & J. Seeman (Eds.), Humanistic therapies: Handbook of research and practice (pp. 347-360). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Selekman, M. D. (1997). Solution-focused brief therapy: A handbook of clinical practice. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Weakland, J. H., Fisch, R., Watzlawick, P., & Bodin, A. (1974). Brief therapy: Focused solution development. Family Process, 13, 191-197.

Ford, D. Y., Middleton, T. J., Hines, E. M., Fletcher Jr, E. C., & Moore III, J. L. (2023). Theories and Models: Anti-Racist, Culturally Competent Counselors for Black Gifted and Talented Students. Gifted Child Today, 46(1), 63-69.
Savickas, M. L. (2020). Career construction theory and counseling model. Career development and counseling: Putting theory and research to work, 3, 165-200.
Wen, Y., Li, K., Chen, H., & Liu, F. (2022). Life design counseling: theory, methodology, challenges, and future trends. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 134.

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