EDUC5510: Theories in Counselling
Part 1: Discussion Questions
Response length 500 words with no references, these are based on your knowledge. Basically, in your own words .
- Discuss the pros and cons of using a feminist approach for multicultural counselling. What would need to change in order to make this a better multicultural approach?
- Discuss why CBT may not be the best choice to use when working with a multicultural client. How could you modify/adapt to meet the needs of a multicultural client?
- It is now widely accepted across all therapeutic orientations or approaches to psychotherapy that the therapeutic relationship serves as a base for all therapeutic intervention across all cultures. Why is this so important?
- Traditional research is often culture‐bound and may prove culturally inappropriate in work with a different racial/ethnic minority and other special populations. How should clinicians use research or evidence‐based practice in formulating treatment plans?
Part 2: Case Studies
- Response length 1000 (500 words each) in your own words based on your knowledge.
Case #1
Jenna was in her mid 40’s, a typical mother of 4 children, married for over 16 years and active in the community and church. She had her first depression with the birth of her first child, and her family doctor prescribed an anti-depressant.
Her husband was supportive and made a decent income, yet money always seemed tight. It was a challenge taking each of the four children to music lessons, dance, football practice and the like, not to mention all the church activities. Jenna never felt like there was any time for herself. In fact, if she did take time to do something she enjoyed, she felt guilty.
She tried to talk to her church leader once, but that didn’t seem to help. She knew there were other women who were depressed and taking medication, but she still felt like no one understood what she was going through. When she finally came to therapy, she felt hopeless but wanted to change her life.
QUESTION: Apply a Feminist Therapy Approach for Jenna and discuss why this would or would not be the best type of therapy for Jenna?
Case #2
You are one of the school counselors at Middle School. Your caseload includes Sasha, a seventh grader. She was referred to you by her classroom teacher.
The teacher has concerns regarding Sasha due to Sasha’s recent change in behavior. Historically, Sasha has been a top student and is very outgoing. She is a member of honor society, plays JV basketball, and is a member of the Drama team. Upon her return from Winter break, she was noticeably withdrawn, and her grades began to drop. She has withdrawn from the Drama team and she seems to have lost interest in basketball.
The teacher shared that at a recent parent/teacher conference the parents did not seem concerned about Sasha’s behavior changes but rather focused their attention on her basketball performance. The teacher also informed you that he had tried to connect with Sarah to talk about his concerns but when he tried to do so, Sasha became angry, burst into tears, and stormed out of the room.
Sasha has agreed to meet with you upon the encouragement of her parents under the auspice that you will help her with her basketball performance issues.
QUESTION: Discuss the case of Sasha with respect to: What is the best therapy approach to use? What, if any, are the ethical implications arising from this case? How are you to respond to the parents and to Sasha?