Examining Counseling Issues: A Beginning

Examining Counseling Issues: A Beginning

We are examining here the therapeutic concerns raised in this week’s written assignment. The reading was of the first three chapters of (Corey, 2017) entitled “Part 1: Basic Issues in Counseling Practice” (p. vii), online from the ACA Code of Ethics and AAMFT’s Code of Ethics. We’ll begin with (Corey, 2017). Chapter 1 dealt with Dr. Corey’s psychology approach, an overview of the prevalent counseling models broken down into similar groups, and an introduction to the composite cases Stan and Gwen. Chapter 2 iterated what in Dr. Corey’s view made for an effective counselor and some practicing recommendations for beginning therapists. In Chapter 3, Dr. Corey discusses ethics from a legal and a practicing stance. And we compare the “mandatory ethics” (p. 38) as largely mandated by the ACA and AAMFT codes of ethics with the “aspirational ethics” (p. 38) that Dr. Corey regards as less legal and more client centered.

Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview

This was an introduction pure and simple to the textbook. Dr. Corey gave his practicing philosophy which is largely drawn from existential model though he freely acknowledges drawing many techniques from other models when designing an integrative approach suited for each client. He also frequently employs role-based approach which in his experience opens up the client to insight (p. 3). Dr. Corey broke down the 11 counseling models into 4 sub-groups. He called them Psychodynamic Approach, Experiential and Relationship-Oriented, Cognitive Behavior and Systems and Postmodern (p. 6).

The 11 Models by Sub Groups

Under the psychodynamic group, Corey lists 2: Psychoanalytic and Adlerian therapies. Under the experiential and relationship-oriented group, there are 3: Existential, Person-centered and Gestalt. Under the cognitive behavioral group, there are 3: Behavior, Cognitive behavior and Choice/Reality. Under Systems and postmodern, there are 3: Feminist, Postmodern and Family Systems (p. 6-7).

Of all the group types, I am most drawn to the Experiential and Relationship-Oriented Therapies. All the models within that group stress the interpersonal connection between client and therapist, and empowers the client thru counseling rapport to discover their own solution. Interactively, I am also attracted to the postmodern approach, together with the best elements of the latter group tailored to each client. But that will come thru experience.

Chapter 2:  The Counselor

This chapter is about the counselor. Corey stresses authenticity and gives some personality traits that effectuate counseling.  He believes good therapists need to do the inner work themselves and be open to multi-cultural perspectives. He highlights 16 recommendations to new therapists when starting out (p. 18-35).

The 16 Recommendations

The 16 recommendations are dealing with anxiety, being yourself and self-disclosure, avoiding perfectionism, being honest about your limitations, understanding silence, dealing with demands from clients, dealing with clients who lack commitment, tolerating ambiguity, becoming aware of your countertransference, developing a sense of humor, sharing responsibility with the client, declining to give advice, defining your role as a counselor, learning to use techniques appropriately, developing your own counseling style and maintaining your vitality or self-care (p. 28-34).

Countertransference was the one issue that stood out for me. It requires not only knowing yourself, but also remaining vigilant in client-therapist interactions. What will take the most time and will only come with experience of course are learning to use the techniques appropriately and developing my own style.

Chapter 3:  Ethical Issues

This chapter is about ethics. Corey differentiates between mandatory ethics as outlined by various Ethics Codes issued by ACA or AAFMT that is often considered the minimal level of practice, aspirational meaning raising above the legal limit in terms of what is best for the client and positive, which he defines as what is best for the client (p. 38). He discusses the different criteria to consider like: putting the client needs before your own, looking at the gamut at what constitutes ethics from the legal to the client, the right of informed consent, the multi-cultural dimension, multiple relationships and the limits of client-therapist confidentiality. He lists the steps involved in making an ethical choice of action based on identifying, considering, consulting, brainstorming, evaluating consequences, deciding on a best course and then re-assess after (p. 39-40). He clearly articulates that informed consent is a client’s right, but there has to be a balance (p. 41). He discusses the exceptions to the rule, such as cases involving child abuse, harm to self or others, court cases, etc. He stresses documenting everything (p. 43).