Introduction
Therapy modality refers to the use of different approaches to enhance the well-being of a patient battling mental-related issues. Therapists are trained in different techniques where they choose the most appropriate approach to a presented case; this makes them effective while rendering their services and providing solutions to their clients. The choice of therapy of one counselor varies from the others based on their different understanding of the client’s issue and the perceived suitability of a given technique; however, this does not mean the counselors have different capabilities but only the approach. This course is developing different guiding theoretical modalities with varying techniques that can be integrated into the future practice of transformational P-12 school counselors and assessing the impact of self-awareness in this training.
Guiding Theoretical Modalities
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a therapeutic approach that concentrates on current problems with their past causes to build solutions instead of problem-solving. Therapists develop an impression of the anticipated state of the client once the issue is resolved or the client is contented with the achievements from the sessions. The process involves considering the clients’ past experiences where they successfully addressed issues affecting them. This informs the potential and amicable solutions to what the patient is experiencing at that moment and in the future (Choi, 2019). Solutions are by having a problem-centered conversation that focuses on identifying a solution.
Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) is where clients are allowed to express themselves while the therapists guide or provide support wherever needed during the session. This approach allows the client to identify the solutions to the challenges they are going through on their own. There are principles that must be put in place to ensure the process is successful, which include respecting the client by acknowledging their unique abilities, treating them with dignity through respectful engagement, understanding what they are going through and their hopes for the future as well as enhancing confidentiality which builds confidence and trust (Morera-Balaguer et al., 2019). Moreover, the patient should be allowed to handle most of the responsibilities they are capable of; embracing them speeds up their healing process.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that gradually manages psychological problems by changing behavior and overall thinking. Changing behavioral patterns includes opting to face fears rather than avoiding them, preparing for problematic interactions with others, and learning to control thoughts. On the other hand, changing the line of thought involves developing confidence in personal abilities, applying problem-solving skills to cope with the situation, and understanding others’ motivations and behaviors. Although the primary focus of this therapy is the current circumstances, brief details of the past are needed to identify the potential remedy to the issues (Wenzel, 2017). CBT embraces individuals to be their own therapists by identifying the challenges they are facing and coming developing potential solutions to their problems.
Three Guiding Modality Techniques: Integration Into Future Practice
SFBT will play a critical in handling students with related psychological issues. The technique will guide how to prepare these students to find solutions independently, unlike other techniques where the counselor has to solve the problem. SFBT is appropriate for students with self-esteem issues, anxiety, and depression; it enables them to improve, on their own, classroom behavior and identify what they do best. Students directly finding their solutions to their problems has a significant impact on making them independent minds; they do not rely on other people’s decisions. By understanding the importance of a miracle question, the students can easily solve issues independently.
PCT will be helpful in during therapy sessions by guiding the focus on the students and not their different challenges. The focus of this technique is to encourage students to accept and embrace their unique abilities rather than seeing them as flaws. Apart from helping students resolve their different challenges, PCT will enable them to recognize their values and how to approach life and enhance their capability to interpret their feelings and thoughts. This will enable students to focus on their strengths, boost their morale and self-acceptance, thus improving their academic performance.
CBT enhances journaling, controls symptoms in students, and improves their overall mood. This will be crucial in guiding the students to prioritize concerns, fears, and problems. Students can track their symptoms, identify the potential triggers, and control or avoid them. In addition, they will be able to have positive self-talk among themselves and point out negative thoughts, thus improving their frame of mind. CBT will enable students to understand the importance of writing and keeping journals; this will help them when they are going through the worst experiences in life, either in school or at home.
Conclusion: Course Impact on Self-Awareness
This course has enhanced my understanding and significance of self-awareness. I have become intentional; before changing the perspective of a particular issue, I need to interrogate the driving force behind it and its repercussions. The course has changed my thinking pattern; nowadays, I tend to look at an issue from different perspectives before making an informed decision, unlike before. Moreover, I have learned to change contexts for things that do not seem to work. When a particular issue is not solved through a normal routine, try from different new approach; I am not giving up easily.
References
Choi, J. J. (2019). A Microanalytic Case Study of the Utilization of ‘Solution-Focused Problem Talk’ in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 47(4), 244–260.
Morera-Balaguer, J., Botella-Rico, J. M., Catalán-Matamoros, D., Martínez-Segura, O.-R., Leal-Clavel, M., & Rodríguez-Nogueira, Ó. (2019). Patients’ Experience Regarding Therapeutic Person-Centered Relationships in Physiotherapy Services: A Qualitative Study. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 37(1), 17–27.
Wenzel, A. (2017). Basic Strategies of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 40(4), 597–609.