Orientation to personal counseling theory - Research Paper Example

Orientation to Personal Counseling Theory Orientation to Personal Counseling Theory The family is the basic functioning unit of the larger society. Family Systems Theory (FST) postulates that the family is the basic component of society that has established internal as well as external interactions. Internal relationships exist between and amongst the family members. The structures are defined by the roles and responsibilities that different family members perform. The inherent interconnectedness implies that the family unit is interrelated and the internal relations affect the functioning of external relations and vice versa.

Families are interconnected and influences on one part of the system will affect others (Murdock, 2009). The structural family therapy stipulates that families have distinct structures that influence its functioning either positively or negatively. According to this theory, the relative rules shape the interactions as well as roles and responsibilities that specific members of the family perform. The stability of the family is usually dependent on its ability to adapt to the respective stressors.

To attain optimal outcomes, the adaptation to the changes by the family needs to be gradual. The Brief Family Therapy (BSFT) is preferred to other therapeutic treatments for its short term duration. It is mainly used for treating children and adolescents; and their families. It is problem focused and offers effective treatment for the whole family. It focuses on family behavior and cognitions that work to restructure interactions in the family; and change systems. Treatments and strategies are designed to suit specific families.

The therapy is based on the assumption that psychotic behavior in one member of a family is best understood in the context of pathological family communication (Nichols and Schwartz, 1998).The role of the therapist is to work with the family to identify interactional patterns that lead to problematic behavior in children and adolescents. He then helps the family to reverse these patterns and develop positive family interactions. The therapy is highly effective in decreasing substance abuse, improving the functional role of the family, reducing anti-social influence, encouraging positive attitudes and reducing negative attitudes and behavior (Szapoczni, Hervis and Schwartz 2003).

The therapist remains neutral and de-triangulated to lower anxiety within the family. He consults with the family and focuses on more than the presenting problem. The client’s role is to use other family members as sources for feedback and learning. The client should also be willing to learn and share information about family.Client resistance occurs when clients fail to cooperate with therapists to achieve their best interest. This leads to negative responses from clients. It limits the therapist’s efficiency and the change process.

Client resistance is evident in clients who cannot communicate, because they will not be able to express themselves or share their story. Secondly, it is shown in clients who are not willing to change. Therapy will not do them any good if the client is not willing to commit to change. To counter client resistance, therapists should outline the goals and objectives of the clients. Therapists need to set a working relationship with clients based on good rapport. They should work to ensure that clients confide in them by building trust and intimacy.

 ReferencesSzapoczni, J. Hervis, O, Schwartz S. (2003) Therapy Manuals for Drug Addiction. Brief Strategic family therapy for adolescent drug abuse. NIH Publication no. 03-4751. http://www.nida.hih.gov/pdf/Manual5.pdf. Murdock, N. L., (2009). 2nd ed. Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A case approach. Upper Saddle: Merrill.