TPC-Journal-V3-Issue3

144 The Professional Counselor \Volume 3, Issue 3 Table 1 Primary Theories Integrated in the Treatment Fit Model Step Theory Sample Statement Assessment Person-centered therapy (Rogers, 1961): showing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and congruence; paraphrasing, summarizing “If I understood you correctly, when you’re feeling anxious you start thinking, ‘I’m going to faint.’” Existential therapy (Yalom, 1985): focusing on the counselor–client relationship throughout the process “At any time throughout this process, please stop me if you have questions or if something I say bothers you. It is of utmost importance to me that we maintain a good professional working relationship.” Adlerian therapy (Adler, 1958): helping client identify where he or she learned self-defeating thoughts/beliefs “You mentioned thinking that you are ‘inadequate’ and that ‘something must be wrong with you.’ I’m wondering where you might have learned these thoughts when growing up.” Cognitive behavioral therapy (Beck, 1976; Ellis, 1996; Meichenbaum, 1977, 2002): helping client identify and understand the interaction of emotions, thoughts, behaviors, and physiology “To summarize, when you feel anxious, you have thoughts of being inadequate, which causes you to stay at home and not face your fears, which then leads to increased feelings of panic—racing heart, sweating, and rapid breathing.” Goals Solution-focused brief therapy (DeShazer, 1991): helping client identify ideal future “It can be helpful to understand your goals for coming to counseling; so, imagine 3 months from now that your issues and symptoms have been reduced or alleviated. What would you be feeling, thinking, and doing differently?” Positive psychotherapy (Seligman & Csikzentmihalyi, 2000): helping client “prime” for taking value-driven steps toward goals “It can be difficult to imagine better times when we are feeling so bad. I’m wondering if it might be helpful to stop now and close our eyes and get in touch with our breaths and think of a fond memory (even if you have to dig deep) as a way to possibly break negative thought patterns, with the hope of possibly identifying solutions.” Treatment Plan Solution-focused brief therapy (DeShazer, 1991; Metcalf, 1998; O’Hanlon, 1999): helping client decide “one small step” he or she could take between now and next session “I want to help in any professional manner that I can, but I want to make sure that we are working together on your goals; so, what might be a first step you could take to move you closer to your personal goals?” Acceptance and commitment therapy (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999): helping client identify values and goals “From what you’ve mentioned, it is clear that you are distressed, and I want to work with you to help you feel better. In the meantime, as a way to assert your commitment to living a fulfilling life, what is something meaningful you could pursue between now and next session?” Motivational interviewing (Miller & Rollnick, 1991): enhancing client motivation for change “I’m curious, with the goals you have mentioned, on a scale of 1–10 with 1 being not ready and 10 being very ready, where would you say you are in terms of making changes in your life?”