Client responsibility in therapeutic process is very significant in achieving the desired goal of the process. The client is expected to play certain roles as a way of showing commitment to the entire process of healing. The clients responsibility in a therapeutic process can be used as a measure of the clients dedication to the entire process (Tyrrell 2017). The client is expected to do more than just availing themselves during the therapeutic sessions but to a certain extent recognize that some of their actions or inactions result into certain outcomes. Client that demonstrates responsibility in a therapeutic process is one who keeps time must always show signs of preparedness for the sessions as well as work hand in hand with therapists so as to achieve the much needed progress (Tyrrell 2017).By not showing any commitment may not entirely indicate that the client is becoming resistance but to a larger extent is an indication of resistance (Tyrrell 2017). Resistance which is referred as the act of refusing to accept change when viewed differently may not refer to resistance; for instance in the case of a client being reluctant to share certain sensitive issues that cause a lot of pain. On the other hand a client can show signs of resistance in different ways. For example a client can always use excuses of having commitments as a way of avoiding or always being late for the therapy sessions or even cut short the therapy sessions (Tyrrell 2017).Therapy refers to the act of meeting the therapist in a bid to solve certain problems of beliefs behavior feelings among others. It is a collective process that involves the client and the counselor (ACA 2017). The counselor helps the client to find solutions to the problems affecting them. By going with this definition both the client and the counselor drive the therapeutic process regardless of the type of therapy involved; whether one or all parties are active or not; the efforts of all parties are important for the success of the entire process (ACA 2017).ReferencesACA. (2017). What is Professional Counseling? Retrieved June 1 2017 from American Counseling Association: https://www.counseling.org/aca-community/learn-about-counseling/what-is-counseling/overviewTyrrell M. (2017). 3 Ways to Communicate Client Responsibility in Therapy. Retrieved June 1 2017 from Mark Tyrrell’s Therapy Skills: http://www.unk.com/blog/3-ways-to-communicate-client-responsibility/
RespondEdit
YvetteI enjoyed reading your post. I also think both the counselor and the client drive the therapeutic process. While I was conducting research I came across an article that shed some light on client resistance and the role the counselor has on dissipating such resistance. Moyer and Rollick (2002) state that client resistance can be considered to be the product of both the clients ambivalence about change (degree of internal conflict regarding change) and the way the therapist responds to this ambivalence. Westra Aviram Connors Kertes and Ahmed (2012) go on to state that resistance is an interpersonal phenomenon that is heavily influenced by the therapist and sustained client resistance can be considered a clinical skill error. What are your thoughts? Do you believe it is the job of the therapist to dissipate such resistance? What techniques can a therapist use to aid them in reducing client resistance? I look forward to your response. Best Regards
Allison C
References
Moyers T. B. & Rollnick S. (2002). A motivational interviewing perspective on resistance in psychotherapy. Journal of Clinical Psychology 58185193
Westra H. A. Aviram A. Connors L. Kertes A. & Ahmed M. (2012). Therapist emotional reactions and client resistance in cognitive behavioraltherapy.Psychotherapy49(2) 163-172. doi:10.1037/a0023200
Respond
WEEK 5 DQ 2/LISA BARKER
Discuss the role of client responsibility in the therapeutic progress.
This discussion part can be summed up by saying after talking to a counselor friend in the past the counselor used to say if these clients want help they will do three things and that is participate or talk do homework and show up for all sessions and call when they cannot make it. She described this as the client responsibility along with honesty. Being honest with self and the counselor are very important part of the client responsibility too.
In what ways does a client demonstrate responsibility? If a client does not demonstrate responsibility in one way or another do you believe this is evidence of resistance? Explain why.
Clients will do three things which are is participate or talk do homework and show up for all sessions and call when they cannot make it. I believe when clients do not talk or participate especially demonstrate resistance. The others not doing homework lack of doing homework and not showing up demonstrate a more noncaring view than responsibility. However in following sessions the counselor may review homework and if it is not done then a lack of responsibility can be shown too.
Does the client the counselor or both drive the therapeutic process? Explain your response.
When that lack of responsibility and noncaring view are seen in sessions the counselor should address it in a conservative and polite way it should not be offensive downgrading and argumentative but only a reminder of how each is important. The client should fulfill their part by doing all these things. This makes both responsible. In counseling sessions the counselor should be prepared to deal with bothtransferenceand countertransference situations too. Also as a reminder the McCarthy text stressestransference and countertransference both playing even a bigger role because when using things such as the family tree the counselor can see immediate important or close relationships and distant or past relationships of different people which some may be very negative (McCarthy & Archer 2013). In the future it is the mere hope that more people will seek counseling when needed and in the end understand that what they are going through is not the end of life happiness and the world but the end will come but not yet.
Reference
McCarthy C. J. & Archer J. Jr. (2013).Theories of counseling and psychotherapy.San Diego: Bridgepoint Education Inc.