Week 2 - Working with children, adolescents and families – implications and development considerations

This week we consider the implications and developmental considerations associated with working with children, adolescents and families.

We begin by discussing the development and key concepts of family systems approaches and the key players in the development of models of working with families, such as Bowen and Satir. We explore Adlerian, Multigenerational, Human Validation, Experimental family therapy and Structural strategic family therapy.

We discuss the differences between systemic and individual approaches and how counsellors understand and work with roles and relationships within the system to enable change.

We look at the different tools that can be used with different family members according to their age and stage of development, i.e. children, adolescents and adults.

We also outline the six life stages of how a family develops and difficulties that can occur at each stage.

We consider the need to be aware of the organisational lens, i.e. the leadership of the family and how this may interrupt or promote family behaviours, and the multicultural lens when dealing with families from other countries.

Finally, we consider the advantages and disadvantages of the diversity, systems perspectives and any limitations

We briefly describe limitations of this approach.

WEEK 3

Week 3 - Person-centred therapy interventions – non- judgement, neutrality, congruence and non-directivity

This week, we outline Carl Rogers and the importance of his work to the counselling industry. We explore his humanistic approach and client-centred approach which incorporates client self- concept, capacity to understand issues and capacity to change with the responsibility of change lying largely with the client, not the counsellor.

We look at Rogers’ key concepts of non-judgement neutrality, congruence and non- directivity and briefly mention why they form parts of this approach.

We also look at the four periods of development in this approach, to understand its growth and importance in its development over the years.

We look at the contributions of this approach to counselling and its longevity, contrast to the dominant approach of the psychoanalytical view at the time, emphasis on research and the innovations.

We also highlight the contribution of Natalie Rogers, specifically with regard to accessing deep feelings or emotions through using forms of art and the limitations of the approach.

These counselling ideas are really a building block in all counselling – of course different approaches adopt a different philosophy & distinct interventions but these principles of client centredness etc are a foundational layer of development in our counselling toolkit.

WEEK 4

We outline the phases of existential therapy and which clients would most benefit from this approach, look at the benefits and disadvantages of existential therapy from a multicultural perspective and describe limitations of this approach.

Week 5

- Cognitive Behavioural Therapy interventions – challenging thoughts (ABC Theory), role playing, shame attacking exercises

In the notes this week we examine cognitive behavioural therapy interventions including challenging thoughts (ABC theory), role playing and shame attacking exercises.

We review the background of Albert Ellis and define his approach of Rational emotive behavioural therapy (REBT) and what it offers.

We consider its basic assumption, its view of human nature, emotional disturbance, the cause and effect relationship of cognitions, emotions and behaviours interact (the ABC approach). We also look at key concepts and techniques of REBT.

We also review Aaron Beck and his approach of cognitive behavioural therapy, the premise for this approach and outline the basic principles and techniques of CBT and techniques of CBT and the premise of this approach.

We link CBT to Beck’s belief that it can overcome depression and look at its applications to Family Therapy.

We also do a brief review of Meichenbaum, consider how CBT can be used with different cultures and briefly describe limitations of this approach.

WEEK 6

Week 6 –

Psychodynamic interventions – defence mechanisms, dream analysis, free association, and projection

In the notes this week we look at psychodynamic interventions including defence mechanisms, dream analysis, free association and projection.

We discuss Freud and outline the main concepts of psychoanalysis including conscious vs. unconscious and personality development. This includes a comparison of Erikson and Freud‟s life stages.

We outline Freud‟s psychoanalytic techniques such as increasing awareness, fostering insights into the client‟s behaviour etc. as well as the main concepts of free association, dream analysis, resistance and transference.

We also outline Jung‟s approach to personality development and consider the psychodynamic approach to the treatment of borderline and narcissistic disorder. We briefly outline contributions of modern psychodynamic approaches in therapy today and describe the limitations of psychodynamic interventions.

WEEK 7

Week 7 - Family Therapy interventions – genograms, de- triangulating and enactments

In the notes this week we explore Family Therapy Interventions. As discussed in week 2, there are many considerations a counsellor needs to bear in mind when working with families. We mentioned working within an individual vs. a systemic perspective, for example, and assessing the impact of behaviours of individual family members on each other.

We look at various other tools that counsellors can use. These include genograms, understanding triangulation and enactments that occur within families.

We discuss teleology and the Teleological lens and its relevance to Adlerian and Bowenian approaches to family work.

We also look at factors in a family that are important to counsellors including promotion and stifling of growth.

We discuss reframing, family interactions and embedded sequences. We refer to the Organisational lens and balanced family leadership.

We discuss tools and techniques including genograms, triangulation and detriangulation. Finally we compare six systemic viewpoints in family therapy.

 Week 8

 - Feminist Therapy interventions – power analysis intervention, gender role analysis, and relabelling

In the notes this week we define Feminist Theory and explain its difference from other approaches in terms of placing gender and power at the heart of the therapeutic process and the social, cultural and political contexts that contribute to the client’s issues.

We look at how this approach understands the roles that both men and women have had in socialisation, and its emphasis on acknowledging the psychological oppression of women and the historical constraints imposed on them sociopolitically.

We look at a brief history of this approach and outline its view on human nature and key concepts and principles of feminist therapy. We describe the techniques and strategies of feminist therapy and the concepts of power analysis and gender role analysis.

We then consider the role of men in feminist therapy and the feminist approach in multicultural concept. Finally we describe limitations of this approach.

Week 9

- Gestalt Therapy interventions – “empty chair” intervention, energy and energy blocks, gestalt experiments

In the notes this week we define Gestalt therapy and its basis in the belief that individuals must be seen in relationship to their environment, the client’s perceptions of reality and the individual’s process of becoming, remaking and rediscovering ourselves.

We look at the differences between Freud and Perls.
We define the view of human nature and key concepts of Gestalt approaches.

We look at the emphasis on ‘the now’, the effects of energy blocks on body and bringing the unresolved issue into the present: This is achieved by the empty chair technique.

We discuss contact and resistance to contact, introjection and projection and Gestalt experiments.

Finally we describe limitations of this approach.

Week 10

 - Narrative Therapy interventions – narrative questioning technique, alternative stories, externalising the problem, reframing and witnessing

In the notes this week we define social constructionism and the aspect of „reality‟ as based on the use of language and as a function of situations in which people live.

We look at the origin of narrative therapy by Australian Michael White and David Epstonin 1985 and its characteristics including externalising the problem and its non-pathological approach.

We look at the key concepts of narrative therapy including the role of stories and listening with an open mind.

We consider techniques including curious questioning, mapping the problem, using metaphor, reframing, letter writing and witnessing.

We examine its contributions of multicultural therapy and the limitations of this approach.

Week 11

Solution-Focused Therapy interventions – the “miracle”, coping, time projected and scaling questions, and selective use of language

In the notes this week we define Solution Focused therapy and key concepts of solution focused therapy. We discuss concepts such as positive orientation and looking for what is working and the basic assumptions guiding practice.

We also look at therapeutic techniques and procedures including establishing a collaborative relationship, pre-therapy change, exception questions, the Miracle Question, scaling Questions, Formula First session tasks.

We look at therapist feedback to client and outline limitations of the model.