Session 8- 12-step Facilitation

• How does 12-Step facilitation of treatment relate to your personal theory of life? What parts could you integrate if desired?

My personal life theory is built upon how I have gone through my own life so far. I have always had a plan for life and a clear view (most times) of the steps I needed to take to get me to my goals. With each step I get closer to where I want to be in life and though sometimes I may return to a previous step or stay on one step for a long while, I am always making progress. I would love to integrate the group aspect of the 12-step facilitation of treatment because I mostly go through my steps on my own. Being able to share my experiences with others along the journey and get their feedback is empowering and encouraging.

• How does 12-Step facilitation of treatment relate to your preferred counseling orientation? What parts do you see that you could utilize for treatment?

I have a straightforward approach to counseling where I prefer to be clear about what is being worked on, the goals for the future, and how we will work together to get there. I want to empower my clients to move towards their own change and I think that by utilizing the 12 step model can allow for treatment that engages and guides those who may be lost or don’t know where to begin their journey to recovery.

Session 7- Pharmacotherapy

Do you support the use of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of addictions? If so why? If not, why not?

 

I support the use of pharmacotherapy in the treatment of addiction because it can be beneficial to a client’s recovery and compliance to treatment when abstinence is just not enough. The podcast that we listened to earlier in the course where we heard Sahira tell her story of addiction and her road to recovery, she highlighted the importance of gradually using less medication to her success as opposed to going cold turkey. She could not handle the withdrawal symptoms and it led to failed recovery attempts in the past. Sahira benefited most strongly from a program that did not force total abstinence upon her. The client’s needs and beliefs should be at the heart of the decision to use pharmacotherapy. Our text points to Weiden and Rao (2005) who suggest that considering pharmacotherapy clinicians should “(1) ask for—and listen to—the client’s beliefs and attitudes about the prescribed medication, (2) work to understand the client’s perspective rather than trying to contradict or correct this perspective, (3) understand that it is the client’s subjective beliefs, rather than objective medical, reality that influences client compliance, (4) withhold responding until the client has discussed all major arguments for and against a medication, and (5) ground any discussion of compliance concerns within the client’s point of view” (p.220). This view is spot on when it comes to the approach we should take assisting clients in general because at the center of the decision is the client and although they may suffer from addiction they should have a strong voice when it comes to treatment. This charges each clinician with the task of not only listening to and understanding the client’s perspective, but also of providing unbiased information and education so clients can make informed decisions.

 

Session 6-Connecting with My Inner Client

A quote from your text states: “… we get so involved in the role of counselor that we sometimes forget the client inside us. It can become habit to separate ourselves from our clients with a sense of self-righteousness that we do not have the problems they do.” Do you see this tendency in yourself? How do you stay in contact with your inner client? What does that mean for you?

I have felt disconnected from a client in my current job that struggles with depression. It is challenging for this client to maintain her part-time job while taking a class at MC and managing her mental health. I have found myself becoming frustrated with her because when I compare all of the responsibilities I have with work, school, family, and maintaining my health as well, I’ve felt like my client has it pretty easy. I found myself minimizing the impact her mental health has on her ability to maintain and applying the doctrine I grew up with that “If I can do it, you can do it.” Looking back on it now, I definitely see that I was centering my experience and in the process separating myself from my client because I felt like I didn’t have the problems that she did.  However, the reality is that everyone has his or her own struggles and their own ways of coping. I stay in contact with my inner client by reminding myself of times when a little understanding from someone would have gone a long way in helping me deal with an issue. As my client works with her treatment team to get and stay on track it’s important that I am encouraging and always believe that she is capable of making the changes she desires. Staying connected with my inner client means curbing my own frustrations and judgments about what I think my clients should do and remain understanding and encouraging as they go through their own process.

 

What beliefs about yourself do you have that will allow you to find commonalities with your clients so that you do not see it as “us” versus “them”?

I see mental health as an important part of everyone’s lives, not just those who have a diagnosis. We all fall on a spectrum of health when it comes to physical health and I believe the same principle applies to mental health. As an aspiring mental health practitioner I know I need to do a better job with having my mental check-ups by engaging in therapy. Like for most people, I neglect my health and put it off because I’m too busy. This can become very problematic once I begin practicing because of the negative impact neglecting self-care has on helping professionals. I believe in practicing what you preach therefore, I know that I will need to be more proactive with my mental health. Knowing this about myself helps me to identify with people struggling with managing their mental health.

Foundational Philosophies of Counseling

Which of the foundational philosophies of counseling are you most comfortable with and why?

I am most comfortable with the multidisciplinary approach to counseling because working as a job coach and as a part of a treatment team has taught me the importance of integrated supports to fostering change. In reference to this concept the text pointed to Saitz, et al. (2005) findings that showed that linking patients to primary medical care services during detoxification improved levels of addiction severity. (83) The multidisciplinary team collaborates regularly to help the client improve in multiple areas of their lives. I have seen how patients/consumers benefit from this approach to counseling and wellness and have learned how to be a helpful part of a treatment team.

How will you know when you are competent in this theoretical foundation and its techniques?

I will know that I am competent in this as well as the other theoretical foundations after being able to note the improvement of those I’ve worked with. These theoretical foundations and their techniques are aimed at helping clients bring about positive changes in their lives therefore I believe that competent counselors should be able to point to client’s progress as an indicator of how effective their efforts have been.