Psychotherapy

Furthermore it will discuss techniques widely utilized include multiple association memberships, advanced/continuing education courses, and association with and In both student and professional resource groups. This paper will Identify and discuss two professional membership organizations and explain why each would be beneficial as a psychology professional. It will also identify and discuss one potential resource to utilize as a networking element and explain the steps to realize the opportunity so presented.

Lastly this paper will evaluate and discuss the benefits resented by networking among such groups and how they might support vocational goals and objectives. Introduction took an undergraduate class called Positive Psychology and it empowered me more than I thought it would. One supplemental book that was used: Strength Finders 2. 0 (Rata, 2007). Not only did it put me In the right mind-set but it also allowed me to make the right decision career-wise. I was trying to decide whether or not to pursue a MS or M. A. In Psychology. After reading Rates book and applying It to my personal life, I finally stuck to what was in my heart; counseling.

No coursework actually influenced me to pursue a Masters in Psychology degree. I was attending Morehouse College attempting to pursue Pre-Med Biology and was required to take a few psychology classes, after having a deeper understanding of what psychology was, I was hooked and changed my major. My passion for helping individuals has directly and indirectly influenced the career field I’m pursuing. It has always been a passion of mine to help youth. As I became older and matured in life over the years, Eve been able to direct what I want to do In life In a more concrete direction.

I started from mating to be a pediatrician, because I wanted to help kids, to now in the process of becoming a therapist, still helping kids. At 29, I’m still learning that I don’t know as much as I think I do. Eve learned that in order to be the best at what I’m trying to do, I need to apply myself much more than I’m doing now. The various theories Eve covered thus far has given me a greater outlook on the past and what the future can be. Everything that I’m learning can be used in some aspect and I won’t fully know the extent of what I’ve learned until I have to use it in practical application career- sis.

I’m learning to be thoughtful and respectful of theories and Ideas that do not appeal to me or that I don’t agree with. When It comes to Interest, goals and values, It is something that I do not compromise on, especially my values. I use to work at a 1 OFF plan and come up with something that will help them start the process of discharging in the future. Kind of like a therapist but without the therapy part and licensee aspect. I have clients ask me things, ask for things and tell me thing that are far from my values. What I have to remember is that, “I’m not here to teach my ales, I’m here to make transformations”.

It’s hard sometimes because I’m dealing with clients from all walks of life and they’ve been through hell and back. What it does for me is allow me to appreciate the values that I do have that have allowed me to make it to where I am now. Goal wise, the field that I am in now is where I want to be for the rest of my life. As I stated before, I initially began with wanting to be a pediatrician but as reality set in for me I decided that I can still “help” people but Just in a different facet, that being through psychology.

The things Eve learned over the ears and the experiences Eve have, whether positive or negative are all “tools” that Eve acquired that will allow me to help others reach and overcome the issues that they may be struggling with. That is why I love working with youth because I seem to relate to them and I can interact with them on a level that is not belittling or degrading. The overused click “The Children Are Our Future”, is something that I take seriously and that is why I love doing what continue to fine tune my craft and gift that I believe was given to me for a reason.

Different Occupations There are a plethora of occupations within psychology that are regulated by state licensee and certification but for the purpose of this paper only two will be addressed; clinical and counseling. Clinical Psychologist This area includes interviewing, observation and testing; all clinical psychologists need to be thoroughly trained in this area and should be able to choose the correct type of testing/method when conducting this with the client.

They test such things as intellect, cognitive processes, and social functioning along with this, being able to interpret the test is also essential to clinical psychologist. As well as being able to conduct test, a major role also includes the ability to diagnosis using multiple models. Giving the client the inner strength to acclimatize themselves to change and gain a sense of power in everyday living. The ability to implement and conduct different programs both basic and applied. This is a fundamental function of clinical psychologist in both clinical and academic formats.

Working with peers who work with clients, interacting with peers, contributing their services for the bettering of the program, and obtaining supervision. Clinical psychologists have a skill set which revises a much needed service to society. They use it by practicing, creating and evaluating applied and scientific skills (Avails & Hoses, 1996). Specific requirements for a Master’s Level Program An individual with a master’s degree cannot call themselves Psychologists because they have not obtained the degree level (Ph. D or Sys. D) to have that title.

Those at the master’s level can only call themselves clinicians or therapist. This is granted only after successively completing an accredited master’s level program then passing the exam to become licensed in a particular state(s). After taking the exam they will take individuals stop at this level for various reasons such as not wanting to go back to school for the doctoral level degree, their Job does not require a higher level of education than the LCP/ALP, or they feel comfortable at the level of credentials and education they currently hold.

There are plenty of careers for therapist/clinicians just in the master’s level such as academics, counseling centers, independent practice, human service agencies, hospitals, medical centers, and business/industries (Sternberg, 2007) position it depends on the direction an individual wants to take. Specific requirements for a Doctoral Level Program Obtaining a Ph. D or Sys. D is a slightly different route that requires more years of education and allows you the option to become a psychologist or psychiatrist. There are only a couple of states that allow you to prescribe medication as a psychologist.

Many individuals take this route because of the higher level it allows one to begin at, others for the particular specialized area of career one decides to get in. These individuals are held to a higher level of standard and their expectations are also higher due to the lengthy amount of education and experience they bring. In a study one at Rutgers University they found that “A greater number of Ph. D. Alumni received “other honors and awards,” and Sys. D. Graduates did not out- perform Ph. D”( Bond, 2010). The study in itself, although Just one study, shows that the only difference lies in the choice that an individual wants to take.

There are few differences in the Ph. D and the Sys. D but the main question is what direction you want career moving toward. Most Ph. D programs focus more on research while most Sys. D programs prepare for psychology practice (Translators, 2011). Vail Model The Vail Model formed in 1973 in Vail, Colorado at a conference because of the ongoing levels of disagreement from the Boulder conference. The supporters at the Vail conference believed that psychology was broad enough to have another designator other than the Ph. D (Norris & Castle, 2002).

They suggested that there should be a difference between practitioners and scientist so they formed what we now know as Sys. D. Unlike the PDP. D program, the Sys. D could be housed in one of three different settings: (1) University Departments (2) University Professional Schools and (3) Freestanding Institutions (Norris & Castle, 2002). Boulder Model The Boulder Model was founded in 1949 at a clinical psychology conference in Boulder, Colorado. The purpose of the conference was to provide training and was the first of its kind.

Duality was given to clinical psychologist as “scientist- practitioners” (Norris & Castle, 2002). Two other milestones were crossed; (1) the required degree established was the Ph. D and (2) they wanted the training to be within the department and not a stand-alone establishment (Norris & Castle, 2002). Personal Strengths and Weakness Many of my strengths come from personal experiences and workplace experiences because many of the Jobs Eve held and many of the areas in which Eve volunteered in ere of the mental health aspect or dealt with community services and counseling.

My outgoing personality and willingness to go out on a limb for my fellow man is a huge strength of mine. I’m able to empathic with other peoples’ emotions and experiences. This aspect allows me to quickly and honestly build a rapport with those who I am working with. Some of my weaknesses are the field itself. I’m a rookie and stubbornness to accept new ideas which are outside of my personal beliefs. Let me say that I love learning new things that will further enhance and expound my reversion but I know that for me personally, other ideas outside of what I feel comfortable with, is an area that I struggle in.

This is something that I know I would need to work on because it could hinder my ability to learn things beneficial to me. Techniques and Growth The American Psychological Association and the American Counseling Association are just two of the many outlets that are available. These organizations hold conferences and publish material to provide resources to those in the profession. Graduate and post-graduate schools are also a good resource because of the seasoned staff, arums, mini conferences, and meetings related to those in the profession.

It is also good to become involved in various organizations to assist with networking and gaining knowledge. Summary and Conclusion I feel blessed to have taken this course and to be apart such a growing field which changes the lives of so many people each day. I am learning much and I will always reflect on what Eve learned in this course and future ones as well. Each day I’m continuing to take what Eve learned and apply it to my personal everyday life. The enjoyment Eve experienced and the trials Eve been able to overcome are a direct exult of this course and other.

Explore the subject of ‘self disclosure’ by councellors Disclosure in the dictionary is ‘the act of revealing and exposing to view’ My understanding of self disclosure in this context is to mean revealing the counsellors personal information and emotions. In this unique relationship this is to be expected when the client is communicating, in fact it is actively encouraged, because that is their roll in the therapeutic relationship. However my exploration will concern when is it acceptable for the counsellor to talk about themselves or their own feelings?

Counsellors must speak since this is a talking therapy and surely every word and response is a form of self disclosure, yet what is said can have serious consequences. I will demonstrate how and when this can hurt or assist the client. When I began having personal counselling myself, I expected a relationship like a close friendship, I found the fact that this ‘expert’ had the answers, but didn’t offer them to me, which was at times very frustrating. My counsellor was psychodynamic and I am now aware that different styles of counselling accept a more open, less restricted, approach to self disclosure.

Since this is however a psychodynamic course, I will endeavour to, within length limitations, give an outline of the important issues using this approach to the subject, illustrated with bibliography, class learning and personal experience of being a client. Our professional roll as counsellors incorporates enforcing certain boundaries, even on our ability to speak candidly about what we feel and think. The client is encouraged to talk openly and freely, to help them to learn from the exploration of their problems.

However when using the psychodynamic approach we withhold our own knowledge and experiences, although sometimes it may appear to be appropriate and useful to the client. It can often be quite difficult to do this, especially when clients are asking us questions, but once we have started revealing personal details, it may be difficult to stop. We should be aware that a client could also be trying to get the counsellor to verbalise as a form of resistance or defence, to avoid talking about and facing their own problems.

I agree with Freud’s view; “It might be expected that it would be quite allowable and indeed useful, with a view to overcoming the patient’s existing resistances, for the doctor to afford him a glimpse of his own mental defects and conflicts, and, by giving him information about his own life enable him to put himself on an equal footing….. I have no hesitation in condemning the technique as incorrect. ” (quoted by M. Jacobs 1992; 84)

Non verbal communication is very important, as we as counsellors can learn from client’s body language, we must take care that the client does not read ours. Freud preferred the client to recline on a couch for just such a reason, he said “I do not wish my expressions of face to give the patient material for interpretation, or to influence him in what he tells me. ” (quoted by M. Jacobs 1992; 84) The counsellor today however, must learn to control their immediate reactions, particularly the negative ones of shock or disapproval, verbal or otherwise.

During my personal experience of being a client, I noticed that my counsellor came to grimace at the mention of the name of one of my close supportive friends, and I later realised, through things she said, that she felt some rivalry towards this person. This self disclosure of her counter-transference feelings was very damaging to our relationship. We have to be very aware of our clients reactions to what we say and do, in this way, even if we have made a mistake, our positive responses to the error can be useful instead of damaging to the client.

Self disclosure may be invited by the client’s inappropriate feelings towards us as counsellors. These transference reactions, may be worded and feel like, a personal attack or question, worthy of a personal reply. However it is important to realise that the client is saying something significant, but it is not about us, so self disclosure is not necessary. It is important that we remain neutral to encourage this transference to occur. M.

Jacobs gives this reason: “The psychodynamic counsellor, like the analyst, wishes to encourage the client to speak of the ideas and images that come from within himself, rather than those which are suggested directly by the counsellor, or by signs which the counsellor gives. ” (1994 27) So when we are surprised by a personal enquiry of this type, it is better to look through the distortion and use an appropriate response such as “I wonder why that is important to you? or even “It seems as if I was reminding you of someone else? ” Not looking at their motivation is a missed opportunity for the client to gain a deeper understanding of their present reactions towards other people. If we take a neutral roles the client is the only one introducing their beliefs, expectations or thoughts into the room. In the early days of being a client myself, I had an experience of this linking not being done. My counsellor revealed that she had taken my questioning of her ability personally.

She said my doubts had hurt her feelings, this disclosure was particularly damaging as I felt angry at that time, but had no wish to hurt her again, so could not express my negative feelings. The counsellors counter-transference feelings can lead to either positive or negative disclosure, we must learn to discriminate between the two kinds. Brown and Pedder use this clear definition; “Winnicott often distinguishes between ‘objective’ and appropriate counter-transference and ‘subjective’ aspects which stem more from our own situational or unresolved personal issues. (1991; 62) The former is helpful, identifying with the client’s situation through empathy allows us to tune in to and reflect back their unconscious thoughts and feelings. These can be hidden behind dreams, stories and defences. When we as counsellors use a response such as “I wonder if under this there’s some anger? ” or “I feel as though I would have been upset about that, but you don’t seem concerned… ” it allows our diclosure of our own responses to challenge the client’s view of the world, which can be a beneficial breakthrough for them.

Alternately expressing feelings that come from our own past and counter-transference can have devastating results. I can remember an occasion in class, during a roll play, when someone playing the counsellor had so much in common with his ‘client’s’ experiences, that his counter-transference nearly tempted him to say; “That’s what happened to me… don’t make the same mistakes I did, this is what I learnt from the experience”. He resisted the temptation… and when reviewing the session in the class he asked the ‘client’ what his response would have been if he had revealed this about himself… he client replied “how can you know what I am feeling? your circumstances are not the same as mine, I don’t want to hear about you! ” The kind of unsolicited self disclosure he was considering may have caused a huge amount of potentially damaging, anger and resentment towards the counsellor. So in conclusion, when is self disclosure helpful or harmful to the client? This is a professional relationship and not a social one, so different rules of disclosure do apply, hopefully theory may be enhanced by expertise and we may learn to modify these rules slightly for different clients.

I think that this is an unusual and special alliance and it is vital for the client to learn to see a counsellor as ‘real’, a human being, personally involved in and interested by their problems, someone they can identify with and learn to trust. Some self disclosure is helpful, if not essential, for building this part of the therapeutic relationship. Sometimes it is impossible not to reveal personal details, such as your holiday arrangements, health or appearance, the client may also ask questions for information or through their transference.

The fact that the counsellor does not have to reveal personal details can increase personal security and enhance their involvement. Gently exploring with the client why they feel they need to know, is the most helpful kind of response. Self disclosure is damaging when the information is unsolicited, or when the counsellor gives answers which evoke an emotional response in the client. As a client myself, I found that my counsellor’s revelations had damaging effects on me, maybe because the feelings they aroused in me were never resolved satisfactorily, even by lengthy discussion.

This eventually led to my change of counsellor, which was a depressing and painful, experience and shows how destructive self disclosure can be to the therapeutic relationship. It even caused me to question the process itself, not for the reason I expected, because I didn’t get my questions answered, but because I did! Although it may be difficult for the new client or inexperienced counsellor to adjust to, it is a time for the client to explore their feelings, make their choices and find their own answers. Maybe with experience and true self awareness we can learn to keep the focus naturally on the client, finding the balance of openness and rofessionalism that is needed to help them most of all. Brown & Peddar Introduction to Psychotherapy, 2nd Edition, Tavistock Publications, 1991 Jacobs, M Freud, Sage Publications Ltd. Jacobs, M Psychodynamic Counselling In Action, Sage Publications Ltd. 1994 Jacobs, M Still Small Voice, S. P. C. K. 1993 Kennedy & Charles On Becoming a Counsellor 1973 Oldfield S The Counselling Relationship Routeledge Press Psychodynamic Counselling vol. 1 No. 1

What is the potential outcome for the patient and therapists when physical touch is introduced into a therapy plan? And possible negative impacts to using this form of therapy will be discussed. It is known that physical contact does occur and that is why the discussion is one that must be brought to light. In the article “The Human Touch: An exploration of the role and meaning of physical touch in psychoanalysis” Toronto (2001), Ellen Toronto brings to light a very controversial and uneasy topic among psychologists.

Because psychoanalysts see no logic for throwing out human touch as a means of “extra-analytic technique”, the Job f the human analysts becomes more defined and humane in regard to one on one therapy. Later in the article Toronto provides information on three case studies done where human touch was and was not beneficial for the outcome of therapy and explains the various reasoning behind why or why not the decision to touch was made. She also shares her personal convictions and conflicts when faced with this decision.

Toronto says that psychologists who study psychoanalytical techniques are against it and that many connect human touch and therapy with sexual intimacy or inappropriate interferences during treatment. Based off of the well balanced information given in this article, Ellen Toronto goes on to say that psychologists must become more cognizant of what it is that they are doing and hold into account that all forms of communication should be considered during phases of therapy.

The viewpoint of most psychologists regarding hugs or even handshakes between the therapist and patient has been very negative and confusing. Toronto claims that human touch and the fact that it is happening, regardless of how people feel about it has been overlooked and ignored in some respects by practitioners and should be acknowledged. There have been reports of physical activity between therapists and patient. Toronto mentions that others such as Preference, Wainscot, Casement, Mclaughlin and Marrow view touching as an important and necessary form of communication in regard to analytical work.

They believe that extra-analytic techniques such as self-discloser and holding are now viewed as very beneficial when performed cautiously and with regard to the situation. After further discussion between Toronto and her colleagues, she discovered that it does occur, usually with patients that are regressed, but the discussion was never formally admitted. Even though reasons for physical touch in the treatment form seem to be necessary, these acknowledgments from her peers seemed to be viewed as negative and guilt filled.

This is the very reason why Ellen Toronto deems it necessary to expose the interactions that occur among the analyst and the analyzed. It provides valuable information on situations involving touching as part of treatment and sheds light on the types of circumstances where physical contact might be necessary for patients missing certain developmental stages in their human development. Human nines begin; in that we start off as infants, without being able to communicate verbally and only through touch and bodily fluids, as do mother and child.

In the article, it is said that it is the mothering figure that sets the stage for early development. In the same sense the therapists possesses a comparable capability to provide a secure setting for the patient while also striving to understand what the patient is feeling or has felt. If a patient did not receive adequate time in this phase of life or if something traumatic happened directly after this stage then the patient is men as trapped in the “early mode”, which then allows for the touching portion of the therapy to take effect where verbal communication cannot.

Early manifestation of maternal erotic transference is briefly discussed in Torso’s article as being a transferred association of one’s feelings of maternal love and creating to one that allows the same unconditional positive regard. Mostly all of this is nonverbal and is difficult to create with only verbal communication. Toronto asks how a therapist is supposed to work with patients that are remaining at a nonverbal level in some significant phases of their experiences. And how does a therapist define safety, regulation, engagement and acceptance verses rejection issues, a lot of which are learned nonverbally.

Nonverbal communication has been viewed as a very existent part of therapy and so with regressed patients human touch can sometimes be the only link bridging the gap. Ellen Toronto approaches this topic with three case studies all involving the decision of physical touch as an analytical technique. The first two cases involved were both situations were Ellen believes physical touch of any kind would have had a negative impact on the outcome of treatment. The first case involved a man, mid ass’s, who had an affair that almost destroyed his marriage and in fear of it happening again, pursued mental health treatment.

He expressed to Toronto that he thought of almost all women in a sexual way and that the only reason for him not having another affair was lack of opportunity. After a while the patient, who Toronto calls Nick began to express his sexual attraction toward her. He also began to move his chair close to hers at the beginning of each session while also describing his fantasies of seduction for her. During this time Ellen describes her Houghton and reasoning by saying “l could have asked him to move his chair but I felt that this measure of control was very important to him”.

Ellen was also certain that Nick understood the limits in that he made no move to touch her throughout the entire treatment. She also reveals that inside she was not as calm and collected as she might have appeared on the outside. Nick in turn was able to express and explore the meaning of his behavior without participation or fear of drawback from his therapists. This technique gave Nick a space to express himself in a limited but useful way and after two years of treatment eventually discovered healthier ways of connecting and communicating with his wife and family.

The second case study shared by Toronto was one of a lady, mid ass’s, who’s failed suicide attempt and affair with her past therapists ultimately landed her in Ellen Torso’s care. The woman Ellen calls Cynthia was described by Ellen as very overwhelming with demands and spoke a mile a minute. Toronto describes how she believes Cynthia had lived a life of constant self-exploitation through sexual encounters with previous men. This was a humpty of Cynthia specific social-cognitive learning experienced early in life.

Cynthia also had a condition that Toronto explained as being a multiple, chemical sensitivity, which was a manifestation of an inability to cope with feeling overwhelmed and taxed by the world. Cynthia used this to control others, requiring them to respond to her illnesses as well as to shield her from being exploited. After a few reinstatement of what was and was not acceptable behavior during therapy sessions, Ellen was faced with a situation that required yet another drawing of the nine. Cynthia approached Ellen at the closing of a therapy session with a hug, but Ellen moved out of the way offering a hand shake instead.

Later on Cynthia conveyed her understanding that Ellen could not allow that, given the history of her last relationship with her past therapist. Toronto goes on to explain how later realizing that anything more than a one to two handshakes would have resulted in confusion and overwhelming burden on Cynthia part. Ellen also explained that is was time for Cynthia to experience a relationship where she was able to be safe and have a hence to explore her own feelings without worrying about another’s. Cynthia eventually went on to achieve some sovereignty and after two years of therapy eventually broke off her affair.

Toronto expresses in her article the personal frustration and dealings with the knowledge of Cynthia affair with a therapists and his continual exploitation of her throughout the years. The Sarah case study involves a young woman, mid- ass, who was addicted to food, cigarettes, and marijuana. She was ending a relationship with a former boyfriend and was in danger of being fired hen she initiated treatment with Ellen Toronto. Throughout the past two cases Ellen attempts to provide a solid and safe interaction with her patients and does the same with Sarah by allowing her to freely speak and be herself.

Ellen was able to dig up only fragments of Sarah’s view of her own childhood after years of therapy with her. She described Sarah as not really being able to recall anything about her mother or an event where her sister was hospitalized. Although it was not conveyed, many believe Sarah suffered from a traumatic amnesia or repression (Wade C. , & Atavist C. , p. 287). Ellen explains that over the years Sarah learned to verbally communicate after Ellen studied the nonverbal data gathered and built patterns of meaning through them.

Also Ellen explains that Sarah later became curious about Toronto and eventually desired to become closer to her. She thinks this change was an early manifestation of maternal erotic transference and discovered that Sarah was missing a developmental phase in her development that allowed her to verbalize what she was feeling. After a lot of time Sarah was able to start to verbalize what he was experiencing inside but later came to the realization that she was not able to “feel”. This began a request for Ellen Toronto to help her feel things. Sarah explained that the only way she could begin to feel is if Ellen held her hand.

Ellen believing that this may have been the only way to help her experience some sort of emotion, in which after years had never shed one tear. Sarah reached out for her hand and Ellen decided to take it. This eventually became more and more uncomfortable for the both of them and they eventually agreed to stop holding hands during the sessions. Ellen explains that she was feeling guilty for breaking the “no-touching” rule but that she was uncertain of a much more presence of fear that seemed to be shared by the both of them. Even though the decision was mutual, Sarah continued to ask to hold Allen’s hand, at almost every session.

With refusal of Ellen to do so she eventually was able to come to the conclusion that she could help Sarah with some but not all of her needs. Sarah eventually became more and more verbal in her disruption of what she was feeling and later went on to develop a way of expressing her moods by expressing various “selves”. CONCLUSION Ellen Toronto did a fantastic Job of conveying both sides of the issue of physical contact used as a form of therapy. Reports of what reactions each patient had and more interestingly what reactions she herself had to the possible introduction of physical activity between patient and therapist was eye opening.

Even though each case study was unique, Ellen was able to assess the possible dangers of introducing physical contact into each individual therapy session. She was able to possess complete control over the situation when physical contact was initiated by Cynthia, he second case study patient and when physical contact was verbalized by Nick, her first case study patient. However, physical contact was made between herself and Sarah, the other case study patient. The effects deemed to be far more emotionally influential than she had expected.

Ellen postured herself as the parental figure in this case more so than in the other case due to the emotional intelligence level of the patient. Her decision to take Sarah’s hand that day was a decision that came from a long relationship between the two and slow emotional development of the patient. Ellen conveys that she had done all that she could do and that maybe this would help. Although Toronto felt it may have been a bad choice at first, the article later explains how the developmental process with Sarah continued to change and gradually got better.

In each study done, help was ultimately administered. With case study 1, Nick was treated fairly and humanly, despite the inappropriate fertilization he decided to share with Ellen. Cynthia was given boundaries and a safe haven and ultimately was able deal with things in a healthier way. Sarah’s case as the only situation where it seemed Ellen Toronto became emotionally invested. Toronto was verbally asked to participate on multiple occasions prior to her decision to hold Sarah’s hand.

The other two cases involved nonverbal communication regarding physical touching, Nick sitting closer, Cynthia initiating a hug. Sarah insisted that holding her hand would help. Was Ellen manipulated into making the decision to break the “no-touch” rule? After doing so Ellen expressed regret for this decision. It’s not wrong that she used this form of therapy as treatment, but she old have possibly been emotionally invested more so than she realized which is why the decision was made to hold her hand and why it was also increasingly uncomfortable after doing so.

Maybe if so much time had not gone by before this decision was made to touch, Torso’s decision would have been different. The effect of this decision was confusion on both parts, as described earlier as being increasingly uncomfortable. This attempt at analyzing human beings with all forms of communication as we know it can definitely create unforeseen challenges and difficulties. Patients and therapists alike are human beings that come with individual feelings and perceptions.

More case studies should be done on people that do not have serious mental issues or anything major pending in their lives. How would it affect someone who is Just dealing with everyday issues like marriage, bills, or raising children? Would the report reflect that a short hand shake or hug during a therapy session could make them feel any more dependent on their therapist or would it help to comfort someone dealing with the pressures of life? What would this type of search do to help cultures that do not touch ever in their everyday interactions with one another?

Would touching during family counseling sessions help bridge the gap between conflicted family members or would it cause more uncomfortable feelings between each other? Studies like these could be done on people that have been confined in Jail because they have problems keeping their hands to themselves. Boundaries could be established and maybe victims of child molesters could become rehabilitated instead of Just another statistic. With this said, psychoanalytic psychology has a long way to go in the development of incorporating physical immunization into the therapy session.

Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an epistolary novel which tells a story about self-discovery. As given in Britannica, “Epistolary novel, a novel told through the medium of letters written by one or more of the characters.” Epistolary novel is a type of novel written in a form of letters through one of the characters.

According to a post on eNotes:

A genre of fiction which first gained popularity in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the epistolary novel is a form in which most or all of the plot is advanced by the letters or of one or more of its characters, and which marked the beginning of the novel as a literary form.

Epistolary novel first got famous in seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It is a genre of fiction in which novel is written in a form of letters or journal by one of the characters. Charlie, the protagonist of The Perks of being a Wallflower writes a series of letters to narrate his story.

It is stated on essaytown:

Even if presenting the reader with fictional letters, the epistolary novels of seventeenth and eighteenth century already suggested that letter writing had a therapy like effect on their fictional authors. The letter writing would act like a catharsis… Charlie is called a wallflower by his friends.

Merriam-Webster defines wallflower as, “a person who from shyness or unpopularity remains on the sidelines of a social activity.” People are considered to be ‘wallflower’ when they are shy, reserved and unpopular. When they stay quiet and avoid talking to anyone. These people are usually introvert and have no friends.

They isolate themselves for different reasons such as fears or lack of confidence. They do not participate in social activities and try to remain hidden as if they are invisible. Charlie is an introvert, a shy teenager who does not have friends and does not participate in life.The idea of self-discovery according to Encyclopedia entails “the process of acquiring insight into one’s own character.”

People themselves are sometimes not aware of their true nature and their desires. Self-discovery happens when they truly find themselves, who they really are and what they want. Pam M.S. Nugent describes self-discovery as a procedure through which a person finds out their true character and qualities.

Charlie, as the novel proceeds, discovers hidden truths about himself, his likes, dislikes, his wants, and what kind of a person he truly is by going through a process of self-discovery.A process of looking for your own identity. To discover what a one individual has in his personality and what things are there to which a person is likely to be more inclined is called self-discovery.

As per PsychologyDictionary self-discovery is a method through which a person becomes aware of his true desires and wants. Just as Charlie discovers the truth about his different behavior, his true likes and dislikes.

1.1 Background of Study

I would read this novel in the light of the idea of defense mechanisms as presented by Sigmund Freud in the classical psychoanalysis.

A post on Chegg Study states:

According to Sigmund Freud, who developed the concept in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, defense mechanisms are a major component of personality. Freud believed that personality consists of the ego, the id, and the superego. The id is the source of instincts and natural desires; when these clash with social norms, tension arises as the superego disapproves and the ego mediates between them.

Defense mechanisms respond by shifting such desires, feelings, and associated thoughts to the unconscious. The post states that Sigmund Freud considers the defense mechanisms as important part of personality. According to Freud, personality is made of id, ego and superego. Defense mechanisms according Freud respond by changing desires, feelings and thoughts into unconscious.

Other than authors, psychoanalytic theory applies on characters. The theory can be used to understand the protagonist of the novel, Charlie, and his behavior better in the light of Freud’s classical psychoanalysis. After Charlie’s unconscious mind reveals some past memories to him, they cause some psychological disturbances.

The research will focus on Charlie’s characteristics, his traumas, what defense mechanisms he use against them and his journey towards self-discovery. Regarding unconscious, Freud states:Everything that is repressed must remain unconscious; but let us state at the very outset that the repressed does not cover everything that is unconscious.

The unconscious has the wider compass: the repressed is a part of the unconscious. Freud argues that everything a person represses must stay in unconscious mind, but unconscious mind is not only filled with repressed memories, it has other things in it too. Charlie has repressed his memories in his unconscious mind which are later revealed.

Calvin S.

Hall defines defense mechanism as a way of dealing with different threats and dangers. It is a way to lessen the anxiety by using different defenses such as denial, projection, repression, regression and displacement which are discussed in detail in chapter

Nikora Corp (formerly LTD) was established in 1998 with private Georgian capital. The company is the leader in food production on the local market. Currently, it produces meat and dairy products, semi-finished food products, fish products, bread, non-alcoholic soft drinks and wine. Besides, Nikora has founded a separate company importing high quality food products from several European countries. The company’s mission is to produce high quality food products by means of introducing novel technologies.

Nikora is paying great attention to customers and is willing to obtain and maintain the customers’ trust by using natural ingredients in production, offering high quality products and service, satisfying the customer wishes and demands. Nikora plans to expend and improve its operations in: Fishery and Farming, Distribution Net and Customer Service, Innovative Production. They started from 7 types of products and reached 130. Seven huge brands: Nikora (meat), Mzareuli (convenience food), Shxepi (lemonades), Enki (fish), InTrade (importer), Tevani (wine) and Paloma (ice-cream) are distinguished and each of them has its own trade mark.

Each brand name is selected according to the product that it carries. Distinctive names are easy to remember and easy to pronounce. They are manufacturers` brands, because resellers do not have right to name ‘Nikora`s’ product on their own and they do not have co-branding with another companies. Organizational Chart As almost every company in Georgia which has an organizational chart suggests to keep It confidential. and also for Nikora this is an information that they consider not to spread. But yet, we were pleased to be given a framework of Nikora’s sturture.

As the company has changed its legal form from LTD to Corp its structure was also slightly changed. The shareholders elect the members of Board of Members which assign the General Director of the company. The board and the director direct and control the managers of the departments who themselves control the departments and all the performance of their subordinates. s The company has a centralized structure, decisions are made at the top of the organization and than spread down to the levels. Empirical Findings To identity managerial problem, we interview one of the brand managers David Gelashvili.

Specifically we covered almost all chapters from our sourcebook. We asked relevant questions to identify a problem and discuses according to studied theories. Managing Personal Stress After actual research we found that generally employee are too overloaded with daily activities. Marketing, sales and production departments have to respond quickly on any small problem in each store outlet. For example during interview Mr. David received several urgent phone calls asking for attention from administration in several Nikora shops and retail stores. Solving Problems

Lili Bibilashvil, Head of Administration and HR Department, noted that employee in Nikora branches reveal bias against thinking. After close investigations we found that employee tend to have so called Stereotype. For example when administrators demanded employee to keep dairies and file surveys, they became defensive and refused to do so, because they perceived it like a tool for further layoffs. This is probably from old Soviet times. Mostly branches are located near villages and remote areas so this tendency was supposed as well. As David noted: “any difficult issues are solved directly by department managers”.

Couching, Counseling and supportive communication However, Nikora corp. has troubles in couching and counseling. Employee noted that they directly receive “orders” from top managers and all they had is to do it as soon as possible. So company uses no supportive, two-way communication, when guiding employee performance. Workers noted that they felt free asking managers any questions and response was adequate, but company doesn’t use any negative or positive feedback to organize staff performance. David told us that he received several critical warnings and verbal massages on his inappropriate behavior.

He also told us that for continuation misbehavior, company decreased salary for several employees and even gave penalties. Let us first consider information gathering dimension. Any company uses structure that is used for information sharing among employee and staff members. As David, Nikora product manager responded, company uses Mail, IM, Boards and informal talks in office based cafi?? for communication and info sharing. Generally speaking employees are guided by their own departmental interests and are less interested in others job.

For example financial department newer asks producing techniques in production process. On the other hand, any employee is regarded as a family member and free to get information on other departments. Gaining Power and Influence Nikora recognizes employee through several ways. HR department identifies staff performance and reveilles top 3 employee of month, by publishing on special reword board. As we studied verbal recognition tends to be much more powerful than for example financial, but yet the company uses strong bonus grogram for employee performance and motivation.

Company recognition system works through personal efforts and expertise. Motivation Nikora uses several motivators to induce employee performance. During interview Mr. David said that “Nikora uses both financial and nonfinancial reword system”. For example on 30% increase performance, company provides special financial bonuses that are really good as employees noted. Company also provides certificates, games, for example last year Nikora held internal football mach between departments, also organized excursion to Georgian regions and provides any kind of material and nonmaterial support for attaining predefined goals.

For example as David noted, he has no car, but if his job demands transportation, company provides it. So if job requests – the company provides any relevant material, both financial and nonfinancial, for instance when David first came in Nikora, he was initiated to create a quality website for the organization; managers liked David’s idea and provided support to make work done. Managing Conflict As any organizational and team, Nikora also had several conflicts. All problems and conflicts are solved by direct manager of department.

Nikora also uses conference and team meeting to discuss issue and identify any alternative if possible. If conflict remains unresolved, company uses compromise. During our interview we identified Forcing, Compromise and Collaborative strategies working to solve problems. But yet Nikora seems to have fewer internal conflicts. Empowerment and Delegation During research, David noted that empowerment and delegation word is best used in his organization. For example during our talk, David asked his coworkers to do his job while interviewing.

After our remark, he noted that any employee felt free to ask help and support, “we are like a big family heir” noted he. Organization has a strong responsive culture. Employees are requested for certain actions and jobs done. They are committed directly from the top management and expected to act fairly. So managers directly give orders. Book states information gathering dimension, which distinguishes concrete experience from abstract conceptualization. CE includes Theoretical Framework Couching, Counseling and supportive communication

As we found that Nikora had a problem of supportive communication, we now discuss the theories of the relevant topic. Coaching and counselling are the issues of the supportive communication that should be used by managers for generating effective interpersonal communication. In coaching managers help subordinates improve their work skills by giving them advice or information or set standards. While in counselling, managers help subordinates recognize and address problems involving their state of mind, emotions, or personalities.

In other words, coaching focuses on abilities, and counselling – on attitudes. The skills of coaching and counselling are also used for different other activities, such as motivating others, handling costumers complaints, passing critical information upward, handling conflicts between other parties, and etc. The principles we describe next in the project not only facilitate accurate message delivery in sensitive situations, but their effective use can produce higher levels of motivation, increased productivity, and better interpersonal relationships.

Coaching and counselling skills are also required when negative feedback is not involved, such as when subordinate asks for advice, need someone to listen to his problem, or want to register complaints. Sometimes just listening is the most effective form of coaching and counselling. Although the risk of damaged relationships, defensiveness, or hurt feelings is no as likely as when negative feedback is given, these situations still require competent communication skills. However, when coaching and counselling subordinates managers should avoid generating two major obstacles that lead to a number of negative outcomes.

These two obstacles are defensiveness – an emotional and physical state in which one is agitated, estranged, confused and inclined to strike out (for that person self-protection becomes more important than listening) and disconfirmation – a situation when one of the communicating parties feels put down, ineffectual ,or insignificant because of the communication (recipients of the communication feel that their self-worth is being questioned, so they focus on building themselves up rather than listening). Another important issue of supportive communication is “not one-way message delivery”.

The issue includes four major types of responses that addresses this problems. These are advising, deflecting, probing, and reflecting Advising response – provides direction, evaluation, personal opinion, or instructions. Such a response imposes on the communicator the point of view of the listener and it creates listener control over topic of conversation. Deflecting response – switches the focus from the communicator’s problem to one selected by the listener. They deflect attention away from the original problem or the original statement.

The listener essentially changes the subject. Probing response – asks a question about what the communicator just said or about a topic selected by listener. The intent of a probe is to acquire additional information, or to help the listener foster more appropriate response. Reflecting response – is used to mirror back to the communicator the message that was heard and to communicate understanding and acceptance of the person. Reflecting the message in different words allows the speaker to feel listened to, understood, and free to explore the topic in more depth.

Discussion Comparing the reality to the theories we concluded that Nikora does not use supportive communication tools – such as coaching and counselling, and thus it does not use effective ways to realize these tools – such as advising, probing, deflecting and reflecting. Not using supportive communication may be seen as a problem as it leads to misunderstanding among employees, frustration, dissatisfaction and etc, that itself leads to the poor performance, decreased profit, increased employee turnover and etc.

The issue is also to avoid defensiveness and disconfirmation. Defensiveness is an emotional and physical state in which one is agitated, estranged, confused and inclined to strike out. For that person self-protection becomes more important than listening. Disconfirmation creates a situation when one of the communicating parties feels put down, ineffectual, or insignificant because of the communication. Recipients of the communication feel that their self-worth is being questioned, so they focus on building themselves up rather than listening.

However, Nikora corp. has troubles in couching and counseling. Employee noted that they directly give “orders” from top managers and all they had to is to do it as soon as possible. So company uses no supportive, two-way communication, when guiding employee performance. Workers noted that they felt free asking managers any questions and response was adequately, but company doesn’t use any negative or positive feedback to organize staff performance. David told us that he received several critical warnings and verbal massages on his inappropriate behavior.

He also told us that for continuation misbehavior, company decreased salary for several employees and even gave penalties. All the above mentioned facts drives to the fact the Nikora is only not using such an effective managerial tool as supportive communication, but it even implements something that is quite contrary, we can name it as “obstructive communication”. Next we would like to provide Nikora some recommendations concerning this situation, which we suggest will improve the present condition and prevent from the future problems.

Introduction Marriage and Family are very important aspects of the human experience. These two units play vital roles in who individuals are and who they may become. Many times issues or problems arise in the marriage and family structure thus, requiring therapy in order to make matters better. The Circumplex Model of Family and Marriage has been used and has been affective in the treatment process when helping dysfunctional families. The Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family Therapy developed by David Olson and other colleagues provides a road map in understanding the marriage and family experience.

Circumplex model of marriage and family

As previously mentioned, the Circumplex model of Marriage and Family Therapy was developed by David Olson and several of his colleagues. This model focuses on the three central dimensions of marital and family systems: cohesion, flexibility, and communication (Olson, 1999). In these dimensions the family system is ranged from balanced, to mid-ranged, to extreme. The family system is further ranked as chaotic, flexible, structural, or rigid.

This model was developed in an attempt to narrow the separation of research, theory, and practice (Olson, 1999). Olson states that the model is specifically designed for clinical assessment, treatment planning, and outcome effectiveness of marital and family therapy.

Three dimensions of the circumplex model

As stated prior, the three dimensions of the Circumplex Model are cohesion or togetherness. The second being flexibility or the amount of change in the families leadership, role relationships, and relationship rules, and the last dimension is communication.

Following is a clearer definition of each dimension:

• Cohesion:Described as the emotional bonding that family members have toward one another. Family cohesion can be considered as emotion bonding, boundaries, coalitions, time space, friends, decision-making, and interests and recreation. The focus of cohesion is how systems balance their separateness versus togetherness. There are four levels of cohesion ranging from disengaged (very low) to separated (low to moderate) to connected (moderate to high) to enmeshed (very high). It is hypothesized that the central or balanced levels of cohesion (separated and connected) make for optimal family functioning. The extremes or unbalanced levels (disengaged or enmeshed) are generally seen as problematic for relationships over the long term (Olson, 1999).
• Flexibility:This is the amount of change in its leadership, role relationships, and relationship rules. The specific concepts include leadership (control, discipline), negotiation styles, role relationships and relationship rules. The focus of flexibility is on how systems balance stability versus change. The four levels of flexibility range from rigid (very low) to structured (low to moderate) to flexible (moderate to high) to chaotic (very high). As with cohesion, it is hypothesized that central or balanced levels of flexibility (structured and flexible) are more conducive to good marital and family functioning, with extremes (rigid and chaotic) being the most problematic for families as they move through their life cycle. Flexibility focuses on the change in a family’s leadership, roles and rules (Olson, 1999).
• Communication: This aspect is considered critical for facilitating movement on the other two dimensions. Because it is a facilitating dimension, communication is not graphically included in the model along with cohesion and flexibility. Communication is measured by focusing on the family as a group with regard to their listening skills, speaking skills, self-disclosure, clarity, continuity tracking, and respect and regard.

In terms of listening skills, the focus is on empathy and attentive listening. Speaking skills include speaking for oneself and not speaking for others. Self-disclosure relates to sharing feelings about self and the relationship. Tracking is staying on topic, and respect and regard relate to the affective aspect of the communication and problem solving skill in couples and families and have found that balanced systems tend to have very good communication, whereas unbalanced systems tend to have poor communication (Olson, 1999).

Circumplex model: couple and family map

The three dimensional Family Circumplex Model Each of the dimensions in the Circumplex Model are key elements in the how Olson’s view of marriage and family are based. Olson believes that the way families interact with each other is based on togetherness, flexibility, and communication. Studying and evaluating these areas can lead to answers and solutions of troubled families and marriages. Treatment Planning Using the Circumplex Model The Circumplex Model has been a useful tool in the treatment process of helping dysfunctional families.

A major job for research outcomes is to determine which elements of intervention are most appropriate and effective with which presenting problems and with which elements of family functioning (Olson, 1999). This model was formulated to lead families towards more functional patterns and rise above behavior what is not socially correct or accepted. The model provides a conceptual framework for assessing family system functioning on two dimensions of family organization: cohesion and flexibility (Olson, 1999).

Families that are monitored under the Circumplex Model from either extreme intervention strategies can be set in place to guide them towards a more balanced system in a step by step process. Clinicians need to be very attentive to prevent wavering that can occur. The clinician has to evaluate and rate each aspect of the treatment process in order to affectively rank the family or couple in the model. In doing this, the clinician has to determine which area is the outweighing factor that is causing the most conflict in the family. Using the Circumplex Model in my Practice

After careful research and studying of the Circumplex Model, I have found the components of the model to be quite interesting. It is believed that the model, if careful used and used in depth to assess issues of family and marriage can be very useful in determining the root cause of the dysfunction that the family is stricken by. I personally would attempt using the Circumplex Model once I have become a therapist because I believe it would lead me to ways that can shed light on key causes of family problems and possibly could be a path to other therapeutic processes to help the client.

Because I believe that this model does pin point problems of clients whether there is a lack of togetherness, too much togetherness, a lack of flexibility or too much flexibility, or a lack of communication, this model provides enough information to give the necessary treatment to help clients overcome their problems. Conclusion The Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family ultimate goal is to bridge the gap between research, theory, and clinical practice (Olson, 1999). It is designed for clinical assessments and treatment planning with couples and families.

Through the three dimensions of cohesion, flexibility, and communication, studies are performed to evaluate the extremities of each dimension thus, shedding light on what the family or couple maybe lacking or overly possessing. Clinicians must have a central goal of the presenting problem and symptoms of family members to achieve intervention focuses on changing a dysfunctional type of couple or family system (Olson, 1999). The basic assumption is that the current pattern of interaction in the family system dynamics are helping to maintain symptomatic behaviors (Olson, Gorall, 2006).

Before the problems of the families and marriages can be alleviated, the current pattern of interaction in the family needs to be changed. The Circumplex Model of Marriage and Family can be very helpful to clinicians in providing treatment and very beneficial to clients who maybe seeking assistance to resolve matters in his or her family structure of marriage.

References

1. FACES IV & the Circumplex Model, David H. Olson & Dean Gorall, 2006
2. www. lifeinnovations. com Circumplex Model of Marital & Family Systems, David H. Olson, 1999

According to Lynn M. Mayer (2005) dual relationships arise “when social workers relate to clients in more than one relationship, whether professional, social, or business a counselor. ” This is where a counselor and his or her client develop more then one relationship in addition to the professional one. This other relationship is mostly concurrent to the professional one. Counselors, like the rest of the people in the society, are flexible and shifting in their social boundaries and their relationships with their clients.

This flexibility creates a scenario where they are likely to be in constant collision with their clients, creating the possibility of a dual relationship. Such relationship might develop through socialization at a personal level with the client, accepting gifts or entering into a business association with the client. The position of this paper is that dual relationships, though they maybe unavoidable and beneficial to a client, may end up creating a dilemma due to their potential to result to harmful and unethical consequences.

The issue of dual relationships involving clients and counselors has been widely addressed by the various professional ethical guidelines. The Code of Ethics for the American Counseling Association has touched on this, urging professional to avoid such relationship due to their potential to be harmful to the client and the reputation of the counselor. It states that counselors should “avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of clients. ” It goes on to note that they should “make every effort to avoid relationship with clients that could impair professional judgment to increase the risk of harm to clients. ” (ACA, 2005)

The extent of the boundary that should exist between a client and a counselor has been the focus of a raging debate for years. Personal and professional attachment of counselors and clients usually arises. It is not always though that such relation is unethical, in some cases, as recognized by the various scholars, they are unavoidable. A counselor and a client maybe attending the same book club or the same worship place. In such a case, a close relationship at a personal level becomes unavoidable and in fact many come out as constructive. What is important is that a line be drawn between the therapist and the client.

Dual relationships maybe categorized into five categories according to Reamer (2001). The intimacy category refers to a relationship between the client and the therapist that spills over to sexual activities. Another category results to emotional attachment where the client becomes emotionally dependent on the counselor. This mostly according to Reamer occurs in new divorcees or those that have recently been separated. The third category would be when the counselor gets used to receiving gifts and favors from the client, a relationship that results into personal benefits.

The fourth category according to Reamer depends on the nature and personality of the counselor. A counselor’s commitment and love for his work may result to altruism where his or her instinct pushes him to become too committed to the wellbeing of the client. The fifth category that Reamer recognizes as inevitable is where the counselor discovers later that he or she has a special relationship with the client. For example, the counselor may discover that the client is a son of a close old friend. This creates a strong personal attachment that is unavoidable.

This mostly happens in close knit communities especially in the rural areas. With such broad categories, it makes dual relationships difficult to pinpoint as well as avoid, this however does not mean that they are ethically acceptable. It is natural for two human beings to exude a sort of a bond between them, whether such an attachment is based on love, need or convenience. Dual relationships are sometimes as a result of such a bond. The attachment theory can be used to explain this sort of a bond between two human beings.

According to Lynne Gabriel (2005), the “attachment theory acknowledges the significance of intimacy, loss and separation issues in human relationships-relational experience that might be encountered within the context of dual relationship. ” An analysis of dual relationships in counseling reveals that it would be inappropriate to regard all dual relationships as inappropriate. This inappropriateness depends on the context or on the individuals involved. The various counselors and counselors associations recognize the dilemma that arises where dual relationships arise.

The American Psychological Association code of ethics while recognizing the inevitable nature of such relationships advises caution and avoidance of instances where clients maybe put into the harms way. Scholars are in agreement that some relationships are out rightly unethical and will erode the nature of the relationship the counselor and the client are supposed to have. In some instances, a conflict of interest may arise. Counselors may resolve or result to put their interests first and gain of sexual or financial favors. Such interests may supersede the need to address the client’s problems first.

Pope and Vasquez (1998) advanced the idea that the reason why a dual relationship is unethical and can turn out to be harmful to the client is because of the power differences between the two. Caution hence is the prerogative of the counselor who should initiate steps to avoid harming the client. As afore mentioned, dual relationships have inherent disadvantages as they lead to the crossing of boundaries in the relationship. This is among other problems as recognized by Lynn M. Mayer (2005). These are “role confusion and power exploitation.

” She goes on to note that “boundaries exist to protect the client from misuse of the social worker and to establish the professional nature of the relationship. ” The erected boundaries hence should not be crossed or violated (2005). A dual relationship between a counselor and a client may end up with a client feeling confused, exploited and betrayed. It would create a scenario where the client looses trust in counselors which is eventually detrimental to his or her well being. A counselor should avoid circumstances or a relationship that will result to the client loosing credibility in him or in the whole profession.

Such a dual relationship may also result to ripple effects with other clients resenting the fact that a particular client seems to be enjoying a special relationship with the counselor, a relationship that is not replicated to the other clients. One recognized greatest taboo by counselors that stems from dual relationships is sexual relations with a client. This is recognized by the majority of scholars as the core reason why professionals are advised against dual relationships. Where it is important to note that not all dual relationships eventually lead to sex, it is unfathomable that anyone can deny that this is the initial stage.

Sexual relation between a client and a therapist is not only unethical but it can also be actionable in law. Psychological associations prohibit counselors to engage in any sexual contact with a current or a former client in the knowledge that the power relationship can impact greatly on the nature of the decisions made by the client. Psychologists are also cautioned against providing therapy to clients they have been involved with intimately. This is in the understanding that such past sexual relations can impeded on the objectivity of therapy or diagnosis carried out by the professional.

The Code of Ethics for psychologists mostly focuses on the caution against dual relationships due to the high possibility of them blossoming into sexual intimacy and hence exploiting the client. This is what some scholars refer to as predatory dual relationships (Ofer Zur , 2006). Dual relationships between a client and a counselor are not however always detrimental. When effectively handled, they can turn out to be productive. One benefit noted in this is that they help diminish the notion that a counselor possesses an undue power advantage over the client.

An atmosphere hence is created where the client feels that he or she is sharing out his problem to an equal. The client may end up being more honest and candid with the counselor. Whereas one of the major disadvantages of dual relationship is the possible development of a sexual relationship, it can also on the brighter side result to a client choosing the best therapist to attend to his problems. Dual relationships can result to a client getting more acquainted and developing a more personal level of understanding.

It is important to recognize that with such a large profession, it is hard for a client to find a suitable therapist that will give a full response to his or her problem to a level that they desire. With a dual relationship however, it is possible to establish a relationship based on mutual trust and openness, a relationship that is not possible within the confines of the normal professional etiquette. Dual relationships hence can give a client an opportunity to know the therapist that best suites hi or her problem depending on the nature of interaction that they enjoy.

This however has to remain within the precincts of professionalism It is apparent that dual relationships between clients and counselors are inevitable especially in a close knit community in the rural areas or in a small town. It is also unavoidable where the client also doubles as the banker, the grocer or the doctor. In such instances, it is “the professionals’ obligation to take all possible steps to minimize the risks of harm,” as Herlihy, et al (1992) puts it. Entry into such a relationship should be at the express consultation with the client to ensure they are comfortable with it.

Dual relationships should be minimized and where they crop up should be weighed carefully to establish the potential for risks or the advantages. Professionals should be able to foretell whether a certain dual relationship can be avoided and take reasonable effort to ensure the client amply understand the logic behind it. It is hence not prudent to classify all dual relationships as unethical as it has been established that some are not only inevitable but are beneficial to the client. For a dual relationship to be regarded as unethical, the context and the nature of the relationship should be closely analyzed.

Dual relationships are regarded as unethical as they are likely to lead to sexual intimacy or create a conflict of interest. Counselors are charged with a noble duty of taking care of their clients and assisting them cope with the various challenges in life. Whereas various counselors may employ varied strategies in achieving this, ethics demand that they should avoid personalized relationships with the clients. Dual relationships are discouraged and regarded as unethical as they may end up harming the client in the long run rather than helping them reach their set objectives.

References

Reamer, F. G. , 2001. Tangled Relationships: Managing Boundary Issues in the Human Services. New York Columbia University Press. Lynn Milgram Mayer, 2005. Professional Boundaries in Dual Relationships: A Social Work Dilemma. The Catholic University of America, National Catholic School of Social Service. Journal of & Ethics. Retrieved on 12th June 2008 from http://www. socialworker. com/jswve/content/view/25/ Lynne Gabriel, 2005. Speaking the Unspeakable: The Ethics of Dual Relationships in Counseling. Psychology Press. Retrieved on 12th June 2008 from http://books.

google. co. ke/books? id=bbkINi28WEC&pg=PT151&dq=Dual+relationships,+involving+clients+and+counselor&client=firefoxa&sig=4x6o6Q_6uUv68KbJ797schE6jaA Ofer Zur , 2006 . Therapeutic Boundaries and Dual Relationships in Rural Practice: Ethical, Clinical and Standard of Care Considerations. Journal of Rural Community Psychology. Zur Institute, Sonoma, CA. Vol E9 . Number 1. Retrieved on 12th June 2008 from http://www. marshall. edu/jrcp/9_1_Zur. htm American Counseling Association, 2005. ACA – Code of Ethics. Center for the Study of Ethics in the Professions at IIT.

Retrieved on 12th June 2008 from http://ethics. iit. edu/codes/coe/amer. couns. assoc. 2005. html Pope, K. S. , & Vasquez, M. J. (1998). Ethics in psychotherapy and counseling (2nd ed. ). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Herlihy, Barbara; Corey, Gerald, 1992. Dual Relationships in Counseling. American Association for Counseling and Development, Alexandria, VA 22304. Retrieved on 12th June 2008 from http://eric. ed. gov/ERICWebPortal/custom/portlets/recordDetails/detailmini. jsp? _nfpb=true&_&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=ED340985&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=no&accno=ED340985