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Unit 2 Self of the Counsellor/Therapist

1. State some questions, which the therapist should answer while drawing her or his own genogram. 

The therapist should answer the following questions while drawing one's own genogram: 

i) How do members in my family express emotions? 

ii) How do they deal with stressors? 

iii) Have there been any significant losses? 

iv) Have there been any mental illnesses? 

v) What is the predominant coping style? 

vi) How do members cope with conflicts? 

vii) What are the strengths present in family system? 

2. A couple married for two years has sought therapy because of their constant fighting. Prior to marriage they studied in the same college and upon graduation decided to get married. Their parents reluctantly agreed to the match as they were from different religions. He is a Hindu and she is a Catholic. What are your beliefs about inter-religion marriages? Where do they come from? How will these beliefs affect your work with the couple? 

It is important to remain neutral and non-judgemental when working with couples from different religious backgrounds. Each spouse may have different frames of reference regarding factors like decision-making, communication patterns, and conflict resolution. Dissatisfaction in the relationship arises when these personal factors, especially values, are not discussed and negotiated. Arranged marriages may offer fewer opportunities for partners to identify these differences prior to marriage.

As a counsellor, it is crucial to undertake a careful analysis that goes beyond the superficial conflict areas. The counsellor must identify the discrepancies in values and help the couple negotiate them. The goal is to assist the couple in developing healthy communication and problem-solving strategies. It's important to remember that conflicts are inevitable, but developing strategies to deal with them can strengthen the marriage.

Counsellor must understand the importance of understanding the couple's individual values and how they navigate their differences. This approach aligns with the principles of multicultural counselling, which emphasizes awareness of personal biases and the need to serve diverse clients appropriately. The counsellor's personal beliefs about inter-religion marriages should not influence their work with the couple; the focus should remain on facilitating communication and understanding between the partners.

3. A forty year old woman has sought individual therapy. She is married, has two children and works in a Central government office. She complains about her husband abusing alcohol. From the description given to you, he is not physically or verbally abusive and uses alcohol as a way to cope with high levels of stress at work. She wants you to provide ways in which she can get him to stop drinking alcohol. What are your beliefs about a person abusing alcohol? Have you experienced alcoholism in your family while growing up? Have you known anyone with such experiences? What are your reactions towards people abusing alcohol? 

It's important to approach this situation with empathy and avoid placing blame on the husband.

The counsellor should first explore the woman's perspective and validate her concerns. The Family Process Theory emphasizes the interconnectedness of family members and their environment. Therefore, it's essential to understand how the husband's alcohol use affects the entire family system, including his coping mechanisms for work stress. The counsellor should help the woman identify her role in the family system and understand how her behaviour might be contributing to or influenced by her husband's drinking.

Instead of focusing on getting the husband to stop drinking, the counsellor can work with the woman on strategies for managing her own stress and setting healthy boundaries. This empowers her to take control of her own well-being and potentially influence positive change within the family system. The sources suggest various stress management interventions such as cognitive restructuring, relaxation training, and problem-solving skills. The counsellor can also explore resources like couples therapy or support groups for families dealing with alcohol use.

The counsellor's personal beliefs and experiences with alcohol use should not be shared with the client. The focus should remain on providing professional guidance and support based on ethical principles and the information provided in the sources.

Important Points

i) Self of therapist means use of the therapist's own experiences in the session with the client, as well as in her or his own life in relation to the goal of providing a healing environment for the client. 

ii) Self of therapist does not mean using the therapeutic experience to "therapize" oneself. 

iii) The goal of fostering change in clients' lives should always be foremost. 

iv) According to Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysts should work towards getting rid of any wish-defense complexes or neurotic anxieties that might interfere with the therapeutic process. 

v) Murray Bowen insisted therapist-trainees work on their own levels of differentiation. 

vi) According to experiential therapy, therapist's own psychological health is an important process in the therapeutic process.