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Techniques I use a plethora of techniques in therapy, depending on the identified problem, the individual or family, and desired outcome. Basic techniques involve empathic and active listening, reframing, validating, empowering, giving homework, or behavior change contracts. In the realm of trauma work, there are things like grounding, focusing, pendulating, and titrating. There are times when paradoxical interventions can be used, when structuring takes place, or when experiential activities are tools to helping clients change. Techniques of any kind are chosen when the expected impact is to help a client change in a positive way, or to help them see and understand their situation in a different way. The basic principle of unconditional positive regard is a technique I try to utilize at all times. Depending on the case (whether it is an individual, group, family, or couple) and the problem I will use different techniques outside of the client-centered model. For example, if I am seeing a family, I will be more directive than I would with an individual client. With a family, I am more apt to utilize the process as well as point it out to the family. With an individual, I may be less directive and intrusive to their process by employing empathic and active listening, validation, and empowerment. With either case, I may give homework, I may examine behavior changes with them, and I will use reframes. The bottom line of therapy with any type of case is to instill hope that they can change and become happier with their situations. I believe the fundamental agent of this is to show them genuine concern for their welfare and existence. With couples, I have found techniques that involve them switching roles,
or experientially participating in an assignment I give them can prove very
effective. With families, building positive alliances with family members
that do not exclude other family members can be very helpful. With
individuals, reframing and empowering have proven efficient. With any case,
working on building a good relationship between my clients and myself has
proven to be the most successful agent of change. No matter what techniques I
try, no matter what I may or may not say, their relationship with me is the
fundamental piece that drives them to either open up, to change, or to
continue trying. I work on helping my clients feel comfortable with me,
because without that, they have difficulty trusting, which greatly influences
the therapeutic process. When they feel that I truly care about them, and
that they can open up and feel safe with me, that is when the process of
change occurs, irregardless of what techniques I utilize with them. I believe
most techniques that are successful must begin with the therapeutic
relationship. |
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