COU101 Theories in Counselling

Task:

You will select ONE case study from the list below and then choose ONE of the counselling theories that you believe will be appropriate to assist the client(s) discussed in the chosen case study.

Your task is then to apply the counselling theory in an effort to help your client(s) with their problem:

Your answer must include the following:

1. A statement explaining why you have chosen the particular theory

2. Identification of the historical origins and evolution of your chosen theory

3. Details of the typical counsellor/client relationship and any other elements of the chosen theory which supports your reason for choosing it.

4. Application of the chosen counselling theory to ONE of the case studies listed below including –

• an outline of any ethical/legal issues to be considered,

• an explanation of how you would use counselling techniques (in accordance with your chosen counselling theory) to assist your client

• and suggestion of a possible outcome for the client if the counselling goes well.

• You may also suggest the number of sessions or any other requirements needed for the counselling to go ahead as planned.

Your written essay should include at least 5 (scholarly) journal articles read and/or textbook references. Your essay should also include an introduction, body and summary in a flowing text and use the APA referencing system. Do not use separate headings for each section of your assessment.Case Studies:

Please choose ONE from the following:

Case study 1 - Melissa

You are working as a generalist counsellor in a local community centre. Melissa has self-referred for counselling as she would like to have someone to talk with over the next 3 months. Melissa has just turned 18. Melissa is 6.5 months pregnant and has recently moved into a Department of Housing unit. Melissa is on the methadone program through her local hospital. She last injected heroin 8 weeks ago and has cut down to 10 cigarettes per day. This is an unplanned pregnancy- the baby’s father insisted on a termination, she equally insisted she wanted to keep the baby having previously terminated a pregnancy. As Melissa’s pregnancy progressed her male neighbour has become increasingly threatening to her both physically and verbally. Melissa fears for her safety and as a result has begun spending her days sitting in her car and at times sleeping in her car.

To assist Melissa, you will need to identify Melissa’s strengths, decide how you would work with Melissa and identify the ethical risks associated with her story.

Case Study 2 – Joseph

Joseph is a 57-year-old married man with two adult children. He has been employed as a civil engineer with the Department of main roads for 30 years. Joseph married his high school sweetheart. He describes their relationship as “normal.” They eat meals and attend family gatherings together but do little else as a couple. Joseph spends his spare time playing golf and watching sports on TV. For the past four months, Joseph has felt down, and his appetite has decreased. Because he has not been sleeping well, Joseph drinks more at night. Sometimes he feels like life is hardly worth living. Joseph has tried to “snap himself” out of this sour mood but nothing seems to work. He has come to you, a sole-practitioner counsellor for help.

To assist Joseph, you will need to identify Joseph’s strengths, decide how you would work with Joseph and identify the ethical risks associated with his story.

Case study 3 – Tom

Tom is a 25-year-old man who was recently discharged from the Army on medical grounds. During his six years in the Army, Tom experienced high levels of stress and anxiety which he coped with by drinking heavily. He has come to your place of work, a Community Centre, for counselling. As of today, Tom has been sober for 55 days and is seeking strategies to cope with his anxiety that didn’t involve drinking. Since being discharged from the Army and since he began drinking, he has been charged with sexual assault on a young woman and served a short sentence, he is on probation.

To assist Tom, you will need to identify his strengths, decide how you would work with Tom and identify the ethical risks associated with his story.

Case Study 4 – Steve and Mary

Steve and Mary fell in love and married. They often spoke of having children but first wanted to ensure they were financially secure so that Mary could take time off to be with the children and vice versa if Steve wanted to apply for paternal leave. In the meantime, they bought a lovely home and furnished it, and went on several holidays together.  Both Steve and Mary had fantastic careers. They seemed to be climbing the corporate ladder and friends would comment on their playful but competitive natures. Life was close to perfect. Talk in their marriage returned to children.

Although Steve and Mary originally wanted children, Mary didn’t want to take a break from her career and Steve was concerned about maintaining the high mortgage repayments on one wage. Through discussions Mary felt that Steve wanted her to somehow have a child but still retain her wage. Mary felt that Steve could take a part-time second job to support her while she had his child. Over a period of time they stopped talking, concentrating on their careers and leading separate lives. They took up different hobbies, Mary played tennis and Steve played squash. Mary went to the movies with the girls and Steve went to the pub with the boys. Eventually, they moved into separate bedrooms. They have now become disengaged. She feels a nagging sense of discontent about her life and her relationship with Steve. She is hoping counselling will help resolve this. It is Mary who makes the initial call to you. You are a counsellor in the area in which you live and in which Mary and Steve also live.

To assist Steve and Mary you will need to identify their strengths, decide how you would work with Steve and Mary and identify the ethical risks associated with their story.