List five techniques from Gestalt therapy. Define and give an example of each. Can you think of a way you might use this with a child or group of children? Explain the importance of “contact” in Gestalt play therapy. If you counsel with children, do you believe that you might use the Gestalt approach to play therapy? Explain why or why not?
This week we will look at Gestalt. Behavioral, and Reality Counseling Theories. Gestalt has many useful techniques. The empty chair is a way to get a student to focus on the issues of conflict with parents or other students. There are others that you may find useful. The idea of peeling away the layers of a person’s issues relates to the complexity of adolescents nowadays.
My first job as a public school teacher was in special education. And the first time I read a behavior improvement plan, I had no idea what I was to do with it. Then in my very first counseling class, I learned about behavior counseling theory and the behavior improvement plans suddenly made sense. Behavior theory and the process and techniques associated with it are an important part of child counseling. But, remember, it is only a part.
In my opinion, Reality Therapy is the most researched and commercially applied theory in counseling. It can be used in many ways but is limited to mild to moderate mental health issues. Clients like my granddaughter who has conduct disorder with limited prosocial emotions (see DSM 5) do not respond to Reality Therapy due to the lack of conscience and remorse for hurting others. However, among the students I see everyday, almost all of them would respond to reality therapy when applied to their presenting problems. Reality Therapy, practiced with fidelity, is very useful in counseling practice.
Please respond to the following questions.
Chapter 7
- List five techniques from Gestalt therapy. Define and give an example of each. Can you think of a way you might use this with a child or group of children?
- Explain the importance of “contact” in Gestalt play therapy. If you counsel with children, do you believe that you might use the Gestalt approach to play therapy? Explain why or why not?
Chapter 8
- Describe the procedure (process) of behavioral counseling with examples of each step.
- Outline a contingency contract for a child who is not completing her homework.
Chapter 9
- Outline the eight steps of reality therapy by listing the steps and providing examples of what would happen in each step.
- Explain Glasser’s definitions of responsibility and reality. Can you give any examples from personal experience or working with clients?