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1 Running Head: FINAL PROJECT Final Project Ontario Ervin CNDV 5311 L31

2 FINAL PROJECT Final Project Philosophy of Human Nature My philosophy of human nature is that we are born with a unique core but with a few commonalities, but our experiences mold us. Imagine a snowflake falling from the sky. The pattern will be unique, but once it lands on its mountain top and rolls down, it will be molded into something entirely different from other snowballs. Every rock and wind shift that changes the direction of the snowball is like every experience; it changes our personality and how we view and navigate the world around us. Humans are born with an innate drive for morality. I have this belief because of infants. Infants are like snowflakes. They are new and have not had time to become affected by many outside factors. Infants are naturally good beings; they typically do not behave maliciously. A study by Yale University found that babies are drawn to good over evil (Stafford, n.d.). The study showed shapes doing a series of tasks, some helping other shapes and others hindering different shapes. At the show's end, a third of the infants chose the shapes that were helping. Another study with puppets showed a puppet being mean to another puppet. In another scene, the mean puppet was attempting to open a crate, and that was the original victim puppet, slamming it closed after he opened it. When the infants were shown the puppets again, they chose the puppet that slammed the crate shut. Researchers concluded that infants had an awareness of justice as well (Born Good?, 2012) Humans are naturally good in how we feel when helping or hindering someone. When we hinder others, we usually have a guilty feeling. This guilty feel can be aligned with our incongruence. Carl Rodgers believed that incongruence is a product of conditions of worth being placed on an individual, as the individual acts in ways that do not align with their natural state.

3 FINAL PROJECT Since we are born inherently good, behaving immorally can cause us to feel non-genuine, which we perceive as guilt. Our natural sense of inferiority causes human motivation. This inferiority is natural, like when infants and young children struggle with physical, cognitive, or psychological hurdles (Neukrug, 2017). However, these feelings are the fuel for our motivation. Adler believed that we are constantly striving for perfection. Striving for perfection is the natural motivation force of all people (Neukrug, 2017). This pushes us toward reaching our goals and leads direction toward our future. The hedonic principle states that people are motivated to approach pleasure to avoid pain (Krons et al., 2014). A situation or external event does not cause stress. Our interpretation of that situation leads to a stressful flight or fight response. Using this view, stress is not an imbalance between real demands in the environment and the person’s actual ability to adequately cope with the demands, but an imbalance between perceived needs and a person’s judgment of their ability to cope with these demands (Tyson & Pongruengphant, 2007)., the situation is not stressful, but our inability to deal with the situation is what causes us stress. Stress is not always negative. Small amounts of stress are reasonable. It motivates us to complete a task. Humans change and grow through experiences. Being able to experience a situation molds us to adapt to it and learn for the next time. We share events consciously and unconsciously. Consciousness is what we are aware of; it is when we can identify an emotion, recognize experience, recognize an experience, or reflect on self (Neukrug, 2017). We develop a sense of self and the ego when born. The ego is a filter that is filtered to experiences allowing them to remain conscious. However, as the person grows, the ego will be expanded as the

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4 FINAL PROJECT previously unconscious attitude has been integrated into the consciousness. Over time these small changes to our consciousness change us and our perspectives on the world around us. The first step towards wellness would be to awareness of an issue. If an individual is unaware that they have a problem, they do not like to seek help or make changes. The next step would be seeking treatment. Depending on the type of issue they are suffering from will decide the best treatment method. For example, if a client suffers from an unresolved problem with someone who has passed or can no longer speak with CBT, the empty chair technique may help them voice those final words. However, if an individual has anxiety, they may benefit from the thought-stopping technique. Overall, people should seek professional treatment that best aligns with their illness. Counselor Roles According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, the best personalities trait of a counselor are extraverted, intuitive, feeling, and perceiving, ENFP. These individuals will help clients see the bigger picture and make the initial contact easier, warm, empathetic, and flexible (Granello & Young, 2018). A counselor should also be non-judgmental and have unconditional positive regard, kindness, and some degree of relatability. These traits will work as you continue working with a client and help build a relationship with the client. Clients seek out therapy to express their issues and find treatment. Opening up to a therapist comfortably is a significant factor in treatment. Clients should also feel like the counselor can relate to their situation directly or indirectly. A counselor who cannot connect to their client will miss the subtle nuances of their condition. Being someone’s counselor is a contracted position. The counselor is obligated to help them solve their problem. A therapist should help clients identify goals and potential solutions to

5 FINAL PROJECT the issues that cause emotional stress; improve communication and coping skills; build self- esteem; and promote behavior change for mental health. A counselor should be a confidant to the client. The client should feel they can express anything to a counselor without judgment. A counselor should always have the client’s best interest at heart but also be able to tell the client if certain behaviors are maladaptive. A counselor should not instruct the client what to do but guide them through treatment. Tell them what to do will not fix their issue but giving them coping skills and other techniques will help them with that specific and similar problem. For example, helping a client with a topic related to his coworkers may help him address issues with his family and friends. As a therapist, I want to work in juvenile corrections. I have worked in a juvenile detention center, and the job brought me the most meaningfulness. Before I had any formal training, I was aware of specific characteristics that were needed to make the conversation flow. I showed the member unconditional positive regard before I knew what it was. I encouraged open and effective communication by allowing them to voice their issues and why they did the crime instead of assuming they were wrong. Every member there was there for a reason. I did not treat any member differently because of their behaviors. Being kind yet firm made me stand out from the other staff; the member quickly talked to me but still respected my position. I could give them the exact instructions as other staff, but the relationship I built made the command more tolerable. With more training, I want to be able to help the members cope with their traumas and be able to assimilate back into society. Theoretical Approach The humanistic approach views human nature as good with the potential to maintain healthy, meaningful relationships and make choices that benefit themselves and those around

6 FINAL PROJECT them (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, nd). A humanistic therapist focuses on helping people free themselves from negative assumptions. These therapists emphasize growth and self- actualization. They target consciousness rather than the unconscious and past causes. Humanists believe that not being genuine is the source of the problems. However, existential and humanistic therapists believe people have an innate capacity for responsible self-direction. They create a therapeutic relationship that is warm and accepting and trust that the client’s inner drive is to actualize (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, nd). The existential approach to psychology is interested in helping the client find philosophical meaning in the face of anxiety by choosing to think and act authentically and responsibly. Existential therapists believe that people are born into a world without meaning or purpose. They are not born good or bad. Since life has no meaning, we are responsible for making it meaningful through our choices. Gestalt therapy is also anti-deterministic as it does not require unraveling years of childhood issues and rejects the idea that we are determined by early childhood development (Neukrug, 2017). The central problems people face are rooted in anxiety about loneliness, isolation, despair, and death. However, creativity, love, authenticity, and free will are all pathways to people's meaningful lives (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, nd). Everyone suffers a loss, and those losses cause anxiety because they cause a reminder of human limitations and death. Existential therapist assumes the belief that people’s problems come from not using choice and judgment enough to find meaning in their lives (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, nd). Existential-humanistic psychology also contains three counseling approaches, person- centered therapy, gestalt therapy, and existential therapy. Person-centered therapy, created by Carl Rodgers, focuses on a phenomenological perspective on the individual. Rodger believed

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7 FINAL PROJECT that reality is a function of that person’s consciousness or understanding of the world (Neukrug, 2017). Rodgers trusted that person's subjective experience and believed no one else could understand their experience; however, we could come close. Rodgers acknowledged that as a child, we have a self-actualizing tendency that directs our lives to reach our full potential. Person-centered therapy is anti-deterministic, meaning events in the past cannot be changed. This concept is highlighted by its belief that people can understand their defensiveness, change their lives, and move forward as they actualize their full potential (Neukrug, 2017). Like person-centered therapy, gestalt therapy has roots in existentialism and phenomenology. Fritz Perls, the creator of gestalt therapy, suggested that since reality is based on a person’s experiences, the individual can make choices throughout life that can result in a new reality. Gestalt therapists believe that since birth, we are in a constant need identification and fulfillment cycle, meaning our needs will dictate what a person will see. Gestalt therapy is also rooted in holism. Unlike Freud, Perls did not separate individuals into the id, ego, and superego categories. Perls believed this method attempted to understand individuals relative to isolated aspects of behavior. He thought that the mind, body, and soul could not be separated and act in unison. Gestalt therapy’s self is the result of how the whole being reacts to familial, social, and cultural influences (Neukrug, 2017) Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT), cognitive behavioral therapy, behavior therapy, and reality therapy are the four pillars of cognitive behavioral psychology. Cognitive behavioral approaches examine how cognitions and behavior affect personality development, behaviors, and emotional state. These approaches suggest that cognitions and behaviors have been learned and can be relearned. They tend to spend little time examining the past and focus on how our present cognitions and behaviors affect our current feelings, thoughts, actions, and

8 FINAL PROJECT psychological responses. All these approaches suggest that after identifying problematic behaviors and cognitions, we can replace or reinforce new cognitions and behaviors that result in more effective functioning (Neukrug, 2017). These approaches tend to be shorter than psychodynamic and existential-humanistic approaches. Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) is the belief that we are imperfect human beings who have the potential for rational and irrational thinking. REBT therapists believe there is a complex interaction between our thoughts, feelings, and behavioral states. However, irrational thinking is responsible for self-defeating emotions and dysfunctional behaviors. Although our childhood experiences, family dynamics, or society can influence our thinking. It is believed that our irrational thinking leads to maladaptive behaviors; however, they can be changed at any point. REBT is rooted in learning theory and existential-humanistic philosophy. Learning theory, as in we can learn a way of thinking, feeling, and acting that is self-sustaining. It is existential because we can learn new and healthier ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving. REBT is also considered a constructive approach because it allows us to reconstruct the understanding-making system. Aaron Beck, the creator of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), suggested that there is a genetic and evolutionary predisposition toward emotional responses that were adaptive in the past but now are maladaptive (Neukrug, 2017). Based on an individual’s genetic predisposition, some individuals tend to develop certain mental disorders when placed under stress; however, these emotional responses can be tamed if they are taught practical coping skills. CBT is an anti- deterministic, active, and empirical approach to counseling. It suggests that people can manage

9 FINAL PROJECT and effect changes if they are given the tools to understand their cognitive processes and how they affect feelings, behaviors, and physiological responses. Our thoughts are categorized into three levels, core beliefs, intermediate beliefs, and automatic thoughts. Our core beliefs broadly define those embedded beliefs that directly affect how we understand events and, ultimately, how we think and act. Our core beliefs are categorized further into helplessness, unlovability, and worthlessness. Since our core beliefs affect our attitudes, rules, expectations, and assumptions, it creates our intermediate beliefs. Lastly, we have our automatic thoughts, which are those that cross our minds as we go through the day. When a situation arises, we respond with automatic thoughts that are products of our intermediate beliefs developed by our core beliefs (Neukrug, 2017). Automatic thoughts resulting from negative core beliefs are associated with cognitive distortions, inaccurate statements, or views about the world that create problematic behaviors and feelings. People with cognitive distortions typically use coping strategies to avoid negative core beliefs. Behavioral therapists believe that we are born a blank slate, and through behavioral conditioning, personality is formed (Neukrug, 2017). Early behaviorists were deterministic; however, contemporary behaviorists have broadened their perspectives. They are considered anti-deterministic, although they acknowledge the role of genetics and biology play in mental disorders; they also believe that an individual can identify dysfunctional behaviors and irrational thinking. This identification can help determine how an individual is being conditioned and can devise methods of conditioning new behaviors (Neukrug, 2017). Narrative therapy, solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT), and relational-cultural therapy (feminist therapy) are the most recent approaches to therapy. They are based on the philosophies of constructionism and post-modernism. Constructivism suggests that individuals construct

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10 FINAL PROJECT meaning in their lives from conversations with others and the language used in the culture in society. The post-modern aspect indicates that no one reality holds the truth, and we should question many of the past assumptions we took for a fact (Neukrug, 2017). Many post-modern therapists doubt the basic assumptions of past therapists, like the id, ego, superego, and core beliefs. They do not believe that specific structures cause mental health problems and that discussing past issues that are embedded in oppressive belief systems. Post-modern approaches can find exceptions to their concerns and develop creative solutions and new ways of understanding the world. Post-modern approaches tend to be short-term, with solution-focus brief therapy lasting fewer than five sessions (Neukrug, 2017). Narrative therapy reflects the post-modern and social-constructionist perspective that individuals create their unique realities through interactions or conversations within their social circles (Neukrug, 2017). This also implies that values held by people in power tend to become the norm by which individuals compare themselves, and these norms are reinforced through the language we share. From this perspective, individuals are constantly in discourse with others within their social milieu, and through these encounters, they develop their sense of self. Narrative therapy is anti-deterministic because it assumes that people can understand the realities they have created, deconstruct their foundations, and develop new stories that are empowering. Solution-focused brief therapy is a pragmatic, anti-deterministic, and future-oriented approach that offers optimism and hope about the ability to change quickly. This approach does not support the notion that individuals tend toward mental health problems and focuses on the solutions and client strengths, not the client’s deficits or problems (Neukrug, 2017). SFBT is not a theory-based approach since most techniques are chosen based on their utility and how quickly they work. However, there are hints of constructionism and post-modernism philosophies. SFBT

11 FINAL PROJECT assumes that reality is a function of social interactions influenced by languages used by an individual’s social circle and culture. This supports the idea that reality is malleable. Relational-cultural therapy (RCT) is a post-modern approach to counseling that takes a social constructivist, humanistic, collective, relational, developmental, and feminist system to understand and work with clients (Neukrug, 2017). As a post-modern approach, RCT does not believe that there are one reality and questions truths. It adds a constructivist twist because it assumes that the narratives impact one’s understanding of the world in the social milieu. RCT has a humanist aspect because, at its core, there is a belief that through empathy and compassion, one can understand the client's unique phenomenological perspective. It is being that their lived experiences as unique to the individual. Lastly, as a collectivist approach, it values the connection that individuals have with others and how they relate. RCT believes that individuals have a natural disposition toward relationships and connections and that development occurs throughout one’s lifespan and is interwoven with growth as relationships become more complex. Critical Evaluation of Approach Each of these approaches aligns with the characteristics required for an effective counselor. Almost all the mentioned approaches are anti-deterministic, which will work well with youth corrections since it suggests that we do not focus on the past but work toward a positive future. The phenomenological perspectives will require me to be aware that an individual's worldview is subjective, and I must act accordingly. I specifically like that SFBT is geared toward finding a solution that works and is based on speed and efficiency. RCT's natural disposition toward relationships will allow me to use group sessions better. The members will be able to focus on their commonalities rather than their differences.

12 FINAL PROJECT However, working with youth has its limitations. Youth may need more trust in the staff to open up. They will not initially see me as a counselor but as another staff member telling them what to do. It will also be difficult for the youth to open up because they lack the emotional range to conceptualize their emotions. Working with diverse populations will have its strengths and limitations. Most of my approaches are anti-deterministic; we will focus less on their past and more on their current issues. Their current problems may be more relatable, and I can choose the best approach. Building a relationship with the client will give me more insight into their culture, understanding of their norms, and how to interact with them appropriately. Concepts like CBT and SFBT may be universal, allowing me a foundation to start, and I can adapt as the sessions progress. The most significant limitation will be the language and cultural aspects. For concepts rooted in narrative therapy, there may be a language barrier. I may need help understanding the subtle nuances of their issues. Narrative therapy suggests that individuals create their unique realities through interactions or conversations within their social circles (Neukrug, 2017), which means that people in power hold their values. We may not recognize the same individuals in power, so our values may differ. The client may compare themselves to norms that I am unaware of. Since an individual’s reality is created by the language used in the social circle, it will be harder for me to get insight into reality. Additionally, my phenomenological perspective will be skewed. The phenomenological perspective is that being aware that an individual’s lived experiences are unique to the individual will be difficult since I will be further removed from their reality.

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13 FINAL PROJECT The Case of Jasmin My values toward Jasmine would not change, considering her situation. Jasmin committed no crime considering the Romeo and Juliet law supports her relationship with her boyfriend. I fully support Jazmine in her right to keep the baby. I believe I am pro-choice, and Jasmine should be able to do as she pleases. However, we must endure the consequences of our actions. Unfortunately, jasmine will not be able to go to college out of state for college at the moment; however, she can go in the future. I respect Jasmine for considering her options before choosing one; she even has supportive reasons for not choosing an abortion or adoption. Presenting Concerns Jasmine is an 18-year-old female who has become pregnant by her 15-year-old boyfriend. Jasmine is ending her first trimester but is still unsure how she wants to proceed. Jasmine’s friends have suggested adoption and abortion, but she does not want to pursue those options. Jasmin wants her boyfriend to marry her, but he does not want to, nor does he think the baby is his. Jasmine has a good relationship with her family but does not feel like she can go to them in this situation. Jasmine is a senior in high school and is worried about being a single parent. She plans to travel out of state for college but does not feel like that is an option. Through the lens of existential-humanistic psychology, Jasmine is having an issue with the meaning of her life. Jasmine’s previous reality is changing. Her boyfriend does not think he is the baby's father and is unwilling to marry her. She is a senior in high school and has planned to go out of state for college, but she cannot do that anymore. Jasmine also has two options that will relieve her of the stress; however, she does not want to go through with them because of the future ramifications.

14 FINAL PROJECT When meeting with jasmine, I would suggest we work towards explaining the situation to her parents. Jasmine has a good relationship with her parents, so I assume her parents are a support system for her. If she decides to go through with the pregnancy, they will help her along the way, even without the boyfriend. Strategies and Techniques Jasmine is ending her first trimester, which means the baby is starting to develop, and eventually, she will have to move forward with an abortion, or she will start showing a baby bump. My goal would be to have jasmine address the pregnancy with her parents before they find out on their own. The post-modern approach would work best for Jasmine since she will not have to address the past, and narrative therapy can help change how she views her current reality. Since Jasmine is on a time limit, I would suggest SFBT since it is relatively quick and can be adjusted to what works best for her. Since she is in her first trimester, the baby is developing, and after her second trimester, she will not be able to abort. As for her fear of being a single parent, I would suggest narrative therapy since it will change the language around being a single mother. The language in her social circle may indicate that being a single mother is difficult or wrong. If the language around being a single mother changes, she may feel empowered by her choice. Lastly, the feminist aspect of RCT can be used to uplift her by depatholizing the behaviors and attitudes around her being pregnant in high school. After she is confident enough to tell her parent, I suggest family counseling. Family counseling will give them the skills for effective communication to create a healthy relationship for Jazmine and the baby. Counseling could also be effective with Jasmine and her boyfriend after his parent's consent.

15 FINAL PROJECT Critical Evaluation of Approach A strength in my approach to Jasmin is that the approaches are custom to Jasmin. Since Jasmin cannot undo the pregnancy, there is no need to discuss her past since we cannot change it. The concepts that I chose are anti-deterministic. Solution-focused brief therapy will allow us to work under the time constraint. SFBT will also be future-oriented, which will offer Jazmine optimism and hope. Our sessions will focus on a solution that aligns with her strengths. Jazmine knew to seek counseling, so I assume she is knowledgeable about finding resources. The feminist approach suggests that individuals have a natural disposition toward relationships (Neukrug, 2017). So, offering therapy with her family and boyfriend can offer her a healthy environment. Professional Compliance As an LMFT, I worked within the range of legal, ethical, and professional responsibilities. Even though Jasmine’s boyfriend is 15 years old. Texas’s Romeo and Juliet Law states that between 14 and 17 years old can legally consent to have sex with anyone three years of age. This means they behaved lawfully, even at 14 and 17 years old. Ethically, I did not break any ethical codes. I did not harm Jasmine, I was trustworthy, I kept the integrity of the profession, I upheld all legal standards, and I safeguarded the information the client provided me.

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16 FINAL PROJECT References Born Good? Babies help unlock the origins of morality (L. Stahl, Interviewer; season 45, episode 8). (2012, November 18). [Online]. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Brief Interventions and Brief Therapies for Substance Abuse. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 1999. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 34.) Chapter 6 --Brief Humanistic and Existential Therapies. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64939/ Granello, D., & Young, M. (2018). Counseling Today: Foundations of Professional Identity (Merrill Counseling) (2nd ed.). Pearson. Kron, A., Pilkiw, M., Goldstein, A., Lee, D. H., Gardhouse, K., & Anderson, A. K. (2014). Spending one's time: the hedonic principle in ad libitum viewing of pictures. Emotion (Washington, D.C.) , 14 (6), 1087–1101. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0037696 Neukrug, E. (2017). Counseling Theory and Practice (2nd ed.). Cognella Academic Publishing. Stafford, T. (n.d.). Are we naturally good or bad? BBC Future. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20130114-are-we-naturally-good-or-bad Tyson, P. D., & Pongruengphant, R. (2007). Buddhist and Western perspectives on suffering, stress, and coping. Journal of Religion and Health , 46 (3), 351–357. https://doi- org.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.1007/s10943-006-9104-z

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