Reflective Essay on Talk Therapy and Psychotherapeutic Approaches

This reflective essay evaluates the talk therapy session and psychotherapeutic approaches used. It discusses the importance of effective communication, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard in therapy. The essay also explores the use of summarizing, paraphrasing, and normalizing techniques. The author reflects on their role as a psychotherapist and identifies areas for improvement.

ASSESSMENT COVER SHEET
Family Name: Khadka Given Name(s): Samisha
Student ID:1064425 Course: Bachelor in community service
Unit Code: SPS202 Unit Name: Working with young people
and their families
Tutor: Victor Milostnik Assessment Number/Title: 3
Semester/Trimester and Year: 2nd year 2nd
trimester
Word Count:
1

Introduction
In this reflective essay, I shall evaluate the talk therapy that I led and videotaped in my
analytical report. The overview discussion would also be included in this essay. I would
also briefly discuss some of the sophisticated psychotherapeutic approaches including
interpersonal abilities that were used, along with a comprehensive assessment
of their efficacy. Each of material content covered throughout my therapy discussion that
is significant towards my competencies and potential advancements would be additionally
strengthened using citations from pertinent material. The following is my reflection on our
psychotherapy discussion with Tom (client) and me as a counsellor. Tom a guy 25 year
old with plenty of youth, intelligence, and promise. Tom arrived at the psychotherapy
appointment looking depressed and down, and his gaze appeared dim. I welcomed
Tom and shook his hands to start our conversation. He immediately consented when
I described the therapeutic meeting's restrictions including secrecy. I then asked him how
he was and offered him to a chair. Tom forward-rolled his shoulders. Everything seems
unpleasant, he said as he rested on the chair with his arms crossed and staring downwards
at the pavement.
He described how his violent as well as intimidating behaviour was making him
feel depressed and worried out. I started the conversation off by acting attentively
including using effective listening techniques. Understanding what is being discussed is made
possible by effective communication. Efficient listening skills in psychotherapy include
maintaining visual connection, using bodily posture, and using hand movements
to demonstrate to client, the psychologist is however paying attention (Geldard et.al, 2016).
A few illustrations of therapeutic stutter stepping which show a clients whether their
counsellor is paying attention but also accurately comprehending them include summing,
translating, and reflecting emotions. While it is crucial to make considerable effort to react
appropriately, doing so is never necessary because a poor reaction may prompt clients
to reconsider as well as explain whatever people actually communicated. When a person
is attempting to discuss a problem that is significant to them and begins to perceive as
though the therapist is not listening, it can be confusing for them. I observed that Tom's
bodily clues are important forms of insight for understanding him while I listened to him.
My manner of speaking was steady and peaceful, and I also had a comfortable position.
I spoke with hand motions and kept looking people in the eyes the entire time. I was
able to show him I was actively listening using mine nonverbal cues and tones of voice
because I noticed him gently rubbing his hands and becoming more calm.
Carls Rogers identified three essential elements underlying productive psychotherapy which
is empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard (McLeod,2013). By paying
individuals full concentration, demonstrating that therapists were motivated to respond,
and creating a sense of respect and acceptance for individuals, therapists can help
clients experience actual comprehension and communication of emotions. Importance
of fundamentals including judgement, that were essential components of effective
counselling. Additionally, I will get a sense of the intricacy which exists in every assisting
connection. Despite this realities, do not allow anything to scare anyone. I will acquire
not only the things one must comprehend plus recognize, yet simply the actions I must take
in order to assist others effectively. The psychotherapist should always be forthright
and genuine regarding own sentiments, and they need to support their patients
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to do similar. My empathetic statements includes things like "seems like
you are not good' and "I could sense that you are genuinely concerned for your conduct," as
an example. Comparable to unconditionally positive which accepts people for who
the individuals are and encourages their manifestations, congruence is being wholly
oneself and communicating what one honestly think and statements like ''
I believein you'' and You have been extremelyunhappyand worried about your conduct
and interaction among peers and acquaintances," I was able to demonstrate my entire
acceptance and support. My body and intonation of speech also seemed consistent
with person whom could understand and demonstrate enthusiasm in what Tom was saying.
Tom was capable of looking into his issues inside a secure, judgment-free environment as I
was able to establish trust sustain a therapy connection, and develop these things
(Kalisch,1973). I realised that it is extremely crucial it is to develop psychotherapeutic
relationships with people and to communicate emotionally in order to fully comprehend
and address problems.
I became aware that I was continuously nodded my head and saying "uhuh," "okay,"
and "hmm." I became completely absorbed when I learned regarding Toms background
and how his estrangement following his father’s death was indeed very upsetting for him.
Describe brief reactions demonstrate to individuals believe therapists are paying attention
to their words. These brief comments can express astonishment, acceptance,
or even a criticism to the things being shared (Corey et.al, 2011). This demonstrates to the
client that the therapists really understood individual messages in their entirety
and are eager to move ahead to their discussion. You were expressing," You are lonely
and unhappy," as well as other similar expressions were used to summarise and paraphrase
the words that he had just stated. It's indeed vital to allow the customer understand
whatever people has said in order to demonstrate that you are paying attention and seeing
it from a somewhat distinct angle. To further reinforce my interpretation, which was that
Tom was terrified about committing again same failures, I emphasized certain statements
and included phrases including "previously you mentioned" throughout my sentences. I used
the phrases 'you believe and 'It seems like' to describe how he was experiencing, which
helped Tom feel better, accepted and acknowledged. I discovered that summarizing allowed
him to consider his emotions and internal processes. I recognised how he lacked confidence
in his ability to perform because his peers do not wish to stick with him. Through the
exploration of underlying thoughts, contemplation helps clients reach higher
levels of consciousness that clarifies their sensations as well as emotional states (Egan,2014).
He was able to identify everything he had previously thought of when he was contemplating
and asking himself, how does he feel?" He stated he thought about his buddies
and acquaintances. Due to her isolation and depression, he became concerned for
his mother. I made a remark along the path suggesting "many individuals might behave
similar manner," simplifying his emotional status. Validating a personalisation may enable
them to view their circumstance more favourably. Helping individual realise
that their reactions to a certain event or sentiments seem to be legitimate is really the action
of normalization. Normalizing gave him the impression because he was not one dealing with
these issues. When individuals learn that what they initially saw as odd beliefs, attitudes,
including actions are actually not all that strange, it is frequently a huge source of
satisfaction for them. They are indeed fairly prevalent, and numerous others experience
the same difficulties.
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I attempted to incorporate both stillness and questioning frequently during this discussion
to foster ever more in investigation. Solitude used properly would've have permitted
me to assess my participation. In order to confirm that I had correctly characterised Tom, I
was additionally enabled to elicit his tale by posing clear questioning like, "Sorry if I enquire
how is your job passing?" and "Could you tell me about your interests?" His stories were
detailed and contained information that indicated he had carefully considered
every circumstance and the way it was impacting him. Whenever Tom discussed
his interests, he appeared to be quite happy. On his face, I definitely saw a slight laugh. I
reframed the situation but simultaneously acknowledging and playing to his talents by
saying things like, "It is amazing how brilliant and enthusiastic you are'. By providing vocal
encouragement and encouraging responses together coaching a fundamental feeling
of quality of life, confronting individuals could aid in enhancing personality (Murphy,2015).
They become more self-aware, concentrate on therapy, utilise psychotherapy more
effectively, are truthful, consider the effects, and embrace responsibilities towards
implementing improvements as a result of challenge. He thought about his emotions when I
said, "Similarly, you were extremely worried about your combative conduct." Yeah,
that's the reason no one really wishes to stick around me, he said after a brief hesitation
as he overheard his own thoughts repeated backward to him. I also used my immediacy to
response on client’s strengths and bravery. Likewise, to understand the problems in the
counselling relationship in a more detailed way, I asked future oriented questions as well.
Clients are urged by psychologists to consider whatever people desire their upcoming look
the same as or whatever they would most like to improve about their life (Kennedy,2012). I
realized from this discussion how a client’s sentiments and emotions could change when
their perspectives are altered. I believed I had succeeded in inspiring Tom to consider
how he actively shapes the life he leads. Person-centred treatment emphasises
the clients' emotions, attitudes, and ideas concepts as the means of personal development.
Individual could decide whether they wish to respond on their oneself once they are better
aware of their ideas and sentiments. person- Centred therapies is indeed a therapeutic
strategy which places a strong emphasis mostly on client's assets including self-perceptions.
According to Rogers, people gradually develop closer personality when people begin
to believe in their own observations as well as emotions. He thought that counselling would
enhance each person's potential to generate better gratifying decisions by assisting them
with creating an appropriate vision about themselves as well as their environment.
While reviewing the discussion, I found that I didn't have many shortcomings
as a Psychotherapist. I made a deliberate decision to refrain from offering prospective
alternatives rather than allowing Tom come up with suggestions. Similarly to this, I believe
I will lessen my emphasis on skills and probably simply allow the meeting meander
the upcoming occasion. I felt like my voice was a little too trained and motivated. When I
couldn't think of anything to say, I would simply say, "wonderful" that I believe
was not sufficient to help him sense valued. I questioned him honestly if he had misplaced
his self-confidence. With that, he focused entirely on his lack of courage. Likewise
sometimes I asked some of the irrelevant questions which were not disclose by the clients’. I
also intended to active listening to hear Tom’s feelings and emotions. Even though I
reflected clients’ sentiments through immediacy, my summarization was too long and boring
which intimidated the counselling session. There was a lack of self confidence within me due
to which I failed to persuade important information from the client. Hence, I would try to
deliberate the correct techniques of counselling with a client.
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In the long term approach I'd accentuate his skills and give him the assurance he needs to be
open up with his mother and share his feelings and emotions with her. Anticipate looking
into ways to increase his personality because he needs to contemplate in order to develop
a positive, holistic picture about him. I had generally attempted to utilise my psychotherapy
abilities to assist Tom in telling his narrative so that he can communicate in a more profound
and significant way. Through my comments, I was able to establish a rapport with Tom and
demonstrate mine attention and concern, which allowed me to investigate the situation
and draw insights. Individual therapeutic, practise workshops, maintaining a journal in one's
individual enhancement of productivity, plus showing initiative when practising are few
of the techniques therapist abilities could be put into practise. Through accomplishing
so, one can begin to unwind and take control of one’s possessing territory inside
the consultation interaction. Nevertheless, it provided a terrific training lesson which helped
me understand I needed to put more emphasis upon the clients than on personally yet
simultaneously making me consider mine personal profession inside the prospective.
References
Egan, G. (2014) The skilled helper: a problem-management and opportunity-development approach
to helping (10th ed.). Belmont, Calif.: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Corey, G., Corey, S. M., & Callanan, P. (2011). Issues and ethics in the helping professions (8th ed.).
Australia: Brooks Cole
McLeod, J. (2013). An introduction to counselling (5th Ed.). New York: Open University
Press/McGrawHill Education.
Kennedy, T., & Chen, C. (2012). Career Counselling New and Professional Immigrants: Theories into
Practice. Australian Journal of Career Development, Vol.21(2), p.36-45.
Murphy, A. (2015). Person-centred Therapy. A Guide to Counselling Therapies (Dvd).
Geldard, D., Geldard, K., & Foo, R. Y. (2016). Basic Personal Counselling : A Training Manual for
Counsellors. Cengage. http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/think/detail.action?docID=6335458
Kalisch, B. (1973). What Is Empathy? The American Journal of Nursing, 73, 1548–1552.
https://doi.org/10.2307/3422614
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