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Running head: CASE STUDY
CaseStudy
Takinga client through a counseling session involves the activeparticipation of both the counselor and the patient. The counselor inthe first instance should create a conducive atmosphere to engage apatient freely to achieve positive outcomes. Helping a patient healfrom an issue and preventing future recurrence of the issue is thesole purpose of indulging in counseling. A counselor plays a criticalrole in the therapy process because having identified a problem thatthe client experiences, the counselor ethically urges the patient tounderstand and realize his problem to make it easy to impress workingmethods of counseling on the patient to achieve healing and recovery(Gassmann & Grawe, 2006).
Inthis case study, Roger, who is an adult of 40 years, has approachedmy desk for assistance. It is imperative that I engage Roger intodivulging certain information that will be instrumental to theattainment of the therapy success. Roger, as represented in thescenario, seems to live in isolation and interacts with few people inhis sphere. It is important to understand the childhood life ofRoger finding out if he suffered abuse (emotional, physical orpsychological), was emotionally isolated, had absentee parents whowould not cater for his needs, was ever bullied and determine hisfeeding habits from the time he was a child. Information as towhether Roger was an only child would also prove to be important.Thisinformation will be vital in determining the course in which thesession will take. It is critical for a counselor to understandissues from their base so as to discern the exact cause of a problem.For instance, the information on whether he was abused as a childwould help explain the reason for his isolation tendencies and notbeing socially interactive. Determining the mental health of theclient is imperative to achieving lasting results. Counselors areencouraged to use motivational methods, which encourages the clientto embrace change and give the client a feeling that the counseloridentifies with his pain (Bohart & Tallman, 1999).
Acounselor would exhibit some biases that could be prejudicial to thetherapy process. The religious beliefs, cultural standings and thevalues of a counselor influences the kind of technique he employs inthe counseling session. The religious values affect a counselor’sdefinition of mental health. To relieve themselves of the danger ofremaining biased, they have to exercise balance, honesty, andfairness towards the client.
Itis worth mentioning that a therapy process could experiencedifficulty instigated by either the client or the counselor. It isalready explained how a counselor’s position would impact on thecounseling session however, in a client’s situation, his refusalto reveal some information necessary for the progress of the therapyprocess would likely get the process to a premature halt. Roger’sfeeling that he is unable to woo women into marrying him would be animpediment because as part of the recovery process, it will berequired that he presents himself more to public places. The resolveby Roger to commit suicide is an indication that Roger might justhave given up in life, and it will be challenging to invite him to awhole new idea of loving himself and appreciating life. He alsosuffers from obesity, which is a major influence on his personalview, making him think himself as unworthy. Also, even though hewants to marry, he still expresses confusion over his sexualorientation. His size as determined has had an effect on his esteem.
Asa counselor, I wish to help Roger restore his self esteem and anappreciation of self image. I also want to commit Roger to afunctional exercise program to facilitate the manner in which heperceives himself. His weight as documented in the scenario hasresulted in him developing other lifestyle diseases, which wouldcause him, even more, complications and death given his age. It isessential to develop an exercise plan and also create a meal plan forRoger to help him maintain a nutritious diet. The refusal to adoptthese changes will for sure stall the therapy process, especially thedenial to follow an appropriate diet will worsen his obesity levelsand he will more regard himself as undeserving of anything good(Bohart & Tallman, 1999). The involvement of exercise in thissession is a significant part of the solution, leading to the removalof all the negative feelings harbored in the mind of Roger. Thebenefits that accrue from training are far precious for the healingprocess. Roger needs to work himself out vigorously because as isevident, all his predicaments are pegged upon the fact that he isoverweight, barring him from taking certain risks in life that wouldhelp him reach a point of realization and self-appreciation.
Applyingthe Adlerian method in this session will assist in the achievement ofsuccess on the part of the counselor, and healing to the client. Thisapproach involves four phases, which are: Forming a relationship,Psychological investigation (Assessment), Psychological disclosure/Interpretation (Insight), and Re-orientation and Re-education. Takinga client through these phases results in the achievement of the goalsthat had earlier been set ("Adlerian therapy: theory andpractice", 2006).
Dueto the nature of the process, it will be necessary to involve otherconcerned parties in the attainment of success. It will be criticalto engage a nutritionist and a physical fitness therapist to helpwith the exercise program.
Thenumber of sessions that will suffice to cover the entire processdepends on an agreement between the client and the counselor. Somesessions would take long however, others would take a shorter time.
Ameasurement approach to the success of a therapy process, determinesfactually if any progress is exhibited. An evidence-based approachwill ensure the collection of evidence, which will, in turn, informthe decision made by the counselor concerning the progress made inthe therapy process (Gassmann & Grawe, 2006).
Conclusively,the discussion that is developed in the case study reveals theaspects of treatment that could be applied in a counseling session,to achieve a positive result. The success of a therapy processdepends on both the contribution of the counselor and client, andparticularly the alacrity of the client to adopt the changes thatwill ensure healing (Bohart & Tallman, 1999).
Reference
Adleriantherapy: theory and practice. (2006). ChoiceReviews Online,43(09),43-5570-43-5570. http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.43-5570
Bohart,A. C., & Tallman, K. (1999). Howclients make therapy work: The process of active self-healing.American Psychological Association.
Gassmann,D., & Grawe, K. (2006). General change mechanisms: The relationbetween problem activation and resource activation in successful andunsuccessful therapeutic interactions. ClinicalPsychology & Psychotherapy,13(1),1-11.