Strength-Centered Counseling : Integrating Postmodern Approaches and Skills with Practice

by Colin C. Ward

• ISBN13: 9781412973298
• ISBN10: 1412973295
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-06-25
• Publisher: SAGE Publications, Inc

Summary

Integrates key techniques into current teaching and practiceThis text provides a framework for the synthesis of postmodern theories of counseling. The cutting-edge Strength Centered Counseling model can be incorporated effectively with the more traditional models of counseling, resolving the ambiguity about how postmodernism fits into every day practice and results in more direct application of knowledge and skill sets for training in counselor education. Authors Colin Ward and Teri Reuter offer a practical and straightforward resource that presents clients with opportunities to look at life not only from a context of problems and adversity; but also of solutions, strengths, and hope.Key FeaturesInteractive learning experiences including Learning Activities (within chapters) and Professional Growth Activities (at the end of chapters) present throughout the text Clear direction for application of principles, techniques and interventions Counselor Interview and Reflection guides serve as both valuable as a learning tool and a structural guide for future sessions with clientsThis text is appropriate for counseling theories and counseling skills related courses in counseling, psychology, and related fields.

Author Biography

Colin C. Ward and Teri Reuter resolve the ambiguity about how postmodernism fits into everyday practice. They offer a cutting-edge text that presents the counseling knowledge and skills needed to assist individuals and families with embracing life's struggles from a context not only of problems and adversity but also of solutions, strengths, and wellness.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. xi
Acknowledgments	p. xii
Foundations of Strength-Centered Counseling	p. 1
The Essence of Strength-Centered Counseling	p. 3
Shared Understanding	p. 5
Shared Respect	p. 6
Shared Strengths	p. 6
Shared Resilience	p. 6
Shared Dichotomies	p. 7
Shared Language	p. 7
Shared Wellness	p. 8
Shared Hope	p. 8
Shared Authenticity	p. 8
Emergence of Postmodernism	p. 11
Modern Approaches	p. 11
Postmodern Approaches	p. 12
Postmodern Counseling	p. 17
Solution-Focused Counseling	p. 19
Narrative Counseling	p. 21
Motivational Interviewing	p. 21
Professional Growth Activity: Hope and Adversity	p. 22
Central Role of Language in Strength-Centered Counseling	p. 23
Language and Meaning	p. 23
Reality and Strength-Centered Language	p. 24
Strength-Centered Vocabulary Competence	p. 25
Dialectics of Pathology and Possibility	p. 27
Incorporating a Strength-Centered Vocabulary	p. 28
Positive Psychology	p. 29
Strengths of Wisdom and Knowledge	p. 30
Strengths of Courage	p. 30
Strengths of Humanity and Love	p. 30
Strengths of Justice	p. 31
Strengths of Temperance	p. 31
Strengths of Transcendence	p. 31
Professional Growth Activity: Dialectical Nature of Pathology and Possibilities	p. 32
Professional Growth Activity: Strength Awareness	p. 33
Professional Growth Activity: Strength Language Reflections	p. 33
Phases of Strength-Centered Counseling	p. 35
Shared Understanding	p. 36
The Stance	p. 37
An Attitude of Empathic Curiosity	p. 38
A Stance of Acceptance	p. 40
An Appreciation for Ambivalence	p. 41
Professional Growth Activity: The Complexities of Change	p. 42
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide	p. 43
Shared Understanding: The Stance	p. 43
The Steps	p. 45
Problem Perception	p. 45
Struggle Perception	p. 47
Strength Perception	p. 51
Dichotomy Perception	p. 55
Hope Perception	p. 57
Resilience	p. 59
Professional Growth Activity: Strengths from Problems	p. 62
Professional Growth Activity: Strength-Focused Role-Play	p. 62
Professional Growth Activity: The Via	p. 63
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide	p. 64
Shared Understanding: The Steps	p. 64
Contracted Change	p. 67
Envisioning a Preferred Life	p. 69
Perception of Preferences	p. 70
Solution Efforts	p. 72
The Miracle, the Dream, and the Future	p. 74
The Road Ahead	p. 78
Building a Readiness	p. 80
Professional Growth Activity: A Miracle Day	p. 83
Professional Growth Activity: Readiness Ruler	p. 83
Professional Growth Activity: Eliciting a Preferred Life	p. 84
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide	p. 84
Contracted Change: A Preferred Life	p. 84
Understanding Goals	p. 87
Scaling Steps of Action	p. 89
Follow-Up Suggestions	p. 92
The Theory of Holes	p. 93
Professional Growth Activity: Role-Play Contracted Change	p. 94
Professional Growth Activity: Action Steps	p. 94
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide	p. 95
Contracted Change: Understanding Goals	p. 95
Developed Lifestyle	p. 97
Understanding Personal Wellness	p. 99
Integrating Strengths and Wellness	p. 101
Creative Self	p. 103
Coping Self	p. 104
Social Self	p. 104
Physical Self	p. 104
Essential Self	p. 105
Introducing Wellness	p. 105
Envisioning Wellness	p. 107
Professional Growth Activity: Contemplating Counselor Wellness	p. 110
Practicing Personal Preferences	p. 111
Practicing Wellness	p. 111
Creative Self	p. 113
Coping Self	p. 114
Social Self	p. 114
Physical Self	p. 115
Essential Self	p. 116
Maintaining Preferences	p. 117
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide	p. 118
Developed Lifestyle: Understanding Personal Wellness	p. 118
Resilience for the Strength-Centered Counselor	p. 123
Becoming a Competent Strength-Centered Counselor	p. 125
Themes of Counselor Development	p. 126
Strength-Centered Competence Continuum	p. 127
First Level: Deficit-Based Destructiveness	p. 129
Second Level: Precompetence	p. 129
Third Level: Competence	p. 130
Professional Growth Activity: Assessing Readiness for Competence	p. 131
A Strength-Centered Counselor's Survival Guide	p. 133
Focused Intentionality: The Nine Essential Principles	p. 133
Shared Understanding	p. 133
Shared Respect	p. 134
Shared Strengths	p. 135
Shared Resilience	p. 136
Shared Dichotomies	p. 137
Shared Language	p. 137
Shared Wellness	p. 138
Shared Hope	p. 138
Shared Authenticity	p. 139
Living Out the Essential Principles of Strength-Centered Counseling	p. 140
Creating a Personal Plan for Strength and Wellness	p. 140
Finding Hope in a Problem-Centered World	p. 141
Professional Growth Activity: A Strength-Centered Perspective and Life Roles	p. 143
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide-Shared Understanding: The Stance	p. 145
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide-Shared Understanding: The Steps	p. 147
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide-Contracted Change: A Preferred Life	p. 151
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide-Contracted Change: Understanding Goals	p. 155
Counselor Interview & Reflection Guide-Developed Lifestyle: Understanding and Practicing Personal Wellness	p. 157
Strength Cards	p. 179
References	p. 179
Index	p. 185
About the Authors	p. 201
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