Self-Determination
What I keep in mind at all times is that this goal is your goal, not mine. You will be more motivated and more successful when this goal is initiated and controlled by you. The truth is that you know yourself far better than anyone else does. I agree with the following quote from Milton Erickson:
“We have within us all the resources we need
to developmentally meet our challenges.”
My job as a therapist, is to help you view life from vantage points that you haven't considered yet and to tap into your deep well of innate resources. You are an amazing human being, and a good starting point for change is to give yourself the credit you deserve!
Here is a quote from the NASW code of ethics: “Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals. Social workers may limit clients' right to self-determination when, in the social workers' professional judgment, clients' actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others.”
Solution Focus
As I mentioned before, I tailor my counseling to your chosen outcome. As we develop this outcome, we will explore what resources you have to this end, what resources you need. The goal of each session is to define the outcome, and this will be revisited with each session. Sometimes outcomes change as you make progress and/or develop new insights.
Evidence Based Practice:
There is a lot of buzz these days concerning the importance of the use of "evidence based practices." It makes a lot of sense to think that counselors, therapists, and coaches ought to be using techniques which are backed by solid research which verifies the efficacy of those practices.
My practice is primarily guided by the principles of the solution focused approach. In this approach, the most important element of the therapy session is to focus on what goals you have right now, and to focus on what it will take to get you from where you are to where you want to be.
To this end, I have a number of strategies we can use together in order to figure out whatever it is that has kept you from having this goal of yours already, and what resources you might need.
Practice Based Evidence
As a way of assuring that we're staying on track, I will be asking you to complete a quick survey at the end of each session. It's a chance to get feedback on the work we're doing, and it helps me to check and see if you feel we're making progress. I can only truly know this if I'm checking in with you.
Social Work Code of Ethics :
My approach to counseling is a reflection of the values and ethics of the social work profession. As a licensed clinical social worker, I am bound to adhere to the Social Work code of ethics. The code of ethics, in its entirety, may be reviewed at the National Association of Social Work web site: Social Work Code of Ethics I encourage you to review this code of ethics, as it speaks to your rights as a consumer.
The following is an excerpt:
"The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession's history, are the foundation of social work's unique purpose and perspective:
- service
- social justice
- dignity and worth of the person
- importance of human relationships
- integrity
- competence.
This constellation of core values reflects what is unique to the social work profession. Core values, and the principles that flow from them, must be balanced within the context and complexity of the human experience."
Confidentiality
All information disclosed in session is considered confidential and may not be revealed to anyone without your written permission except where disclosure is required by law. The exceptions are as follows:
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When there is reason to suspect child or elder abuse or neglect
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When the client presents a clear threat to do serious bodily harm to self or others
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When there is a court order
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When a non-custodial parent requests to review his/her child's treatment with me, or requests written records of treatment
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When disclosure is necessary to obtain further professional assistance for the client.
Neurolinguistic Programming
What is NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)?
Neuro: how our brain receives and processes information
Linguistic: the verbal and non-verbal expressions of our thinking
Programming: the consistent, detectable patterns of our thinking and behavior
In this training, you will learn precise listening skills, increase understanding and ability to develop and maintain rapport, and the artistry of developing well formed outcomes, which is the foundation for NLP.
NLP began in the 1970’s when a computer programmer and a linguistics professor set out to find out what makes some people good at working with people. They studied the work of a number of therapists known for their effectiveness and brilliance as clinicians. The following are a few:
- Gregory Bateson -
- Milton Erickson - a hypnotherapist known for his efficacy with clients
- Virginia Satir - a brilliant therapist who did groundbreaking work with individuals and families
- Fritz Perls - the founder of Gestalt Therapy.
If you are interested in knowing more about NLP, I highly recommend the web site for the NLP Institute of Oregon: Lindagail & Associates. Follow the link to "What is NLP?"
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