Discussion 1.1 and 1.2 Respond to the following two discussion posts. Due 4/19/2024
Kathryn
Prayer is such a powerful thing. I think praying for someone is one the most powerful things you can do for another. Prayer is my time where I feel like I’m having a conversation with God. It’s a time I can be myself with nothing held back. I don’t have pretend or put on a different mask with God.
I think prayer in an interview/assessment process can be powerful. Prayer over anything and anybody is powerful. Prayer can be something used by the client and counselor as a way to connect. Having someone pray over you can make someone feel as if they have someone pulling for them. That there is someone who is supporting you and sticking with you through whatever is happening in your life.
I would feel comfortable praying with others during an interview, but only if they were comfortable with it. I don’t think I would suggest it if I knew that wasn’t the type of counseling they were seeking. If they asked me to pray with them, then I would have no issue doing so. But, I don’t want to push my beliefs on anyone or make any clients feel uncomfortable.
1.2 Traditional Psychology Methods in Working with Clients
Weston
One common method used to help individuals is Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. This is a technique that helps individuals discover harmful thinking patterns and helps them change these thinking patterns and better cope with difficult situations (What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 2017). This type of therapy usually goes on for several months as the therapist helps their clients change harmful thinking patterns that have exacerbated their mental illness. This is a commonly used therapy when working with clients struggling with anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and many eating disorders to name a few. This talk therapy is most effective when combined with other treatments and medication (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, 2019). This is a relatively low-risk form of therapy with few downsides. This method will require clients to revisit uncomfortable memories and may cause the client to feel drained after a therapy session, but good counselors will minimize any potential risk when using this form of therapy.
A second technique that is commonly used by mental health professionals is group interventions also known as group therapy. This has been a typical method used in psychology since the early 1900s and has been consistently seen as a helpful form of therapy (Ezhumalai et al., 2018). This method is used when a counselor facilitates a therapy session with multiple people who share their struggles and use the group setting for advice, accountability, and support. Many individuals who have experienced group therapy have found comfort in the idea that they are not the only ones struggling and going through hard times (Psychotherapy, 2019). As this can be a helpful way for people to experience help it does have its downsides. It can be very intimidating for people who are not confident or comfortable speaking in front of others. It also doesn’t have the same confidentiality as seeing a therapist in a one-on-one setting. Finally, this therapy technique does not give every individual the same amount of attention and could need additional therapies to provide the best results.
Both of these forms of therapy are commonly used to treat people suffering from mental health illnesses. Neither are perfect but both can be very effective in helping individuals receive the treatment they need. As Psychology continues to advance and make strides to better help people, changes will occur. Both positive psychology and the strength-based approach have grown in popularity over the years and will become a method of psychology that will be used more commonly.
References
Cognitive behavioral therapy – Mayo Clinic. (2019, March 16).
Ezhumalai, S., Muralidhar, D., Dhanasekarapandian, R., & Nikketha, B. S. (2018). Group interventions.
Indian journal of psychiatry,
60(Suppl 4), S514–S521.
Psychotherapy: Understanding group therapy. (2019, October 31).
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/topics/psychotherapy/group-therapy
What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy? (2017, July 31).
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/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/cognitive-behavioral