Counseling as a way of being
Posted on 21. Jun, 2011 by Phil in General, Uncategorized
Counseling as a way of being- Philip Ward LMSW CASAC
Spirituality is a self-defined, internally- generated motivational force. The measurement of the term is tied directly to the subjective perspective of the individual. At its essence, spirituality is rooted in the power of choice and self efficacy. The primary power that the individual has is the power to choose; choice may be used as a synonym for freedom; which entails acceptance of personal responsibility. Further, the phrase motivational force presents the assumption that every individual who has a spiritual experience will be inclined to think, feel, say, and/ or do something. Thus, spirituality is considered to be a causative agent.
Spirituality is directly tied to substance use disorder counseling through the idea of an existing self. The self is where perceptions originate. At the core of this idea is the individual’s relationship with his/ herself. The relationship involves the individual’s ability to regain volitional control or ownership of one’s attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. The common thread that runs between counseling and spirituality is the belief that the individual is responsible to find h/her purpose in life. As well, at the base is the individual’s capacity for self awareness, freedom to choose one’s fate, anxiety, and the search for meaning in h/her life. The goal is personal autonomy which is evidenced through an internal locus of control. Addictive disorders engender an external locus of control. Recovery processes restore homeostatic balance and reorient the individual to their internal environment. Spirituality is also tied to addictive disorders in that they both involve a direct and personal experience.
The perspective outlined above has been generated into a working clinical model. The model rests upon the notion of healing through an increase in self efficacy. Self efficacy as defined by the individual’s belief in h/her ability to generate some action toward personally developed goals.
Another premise underlying the model is that freedom is choice. Freedom requires one to refuse to see him/herself as a victim; freedom and responsibility are directly connected. The path to freedom is paved with clarified values and principles. Thus, a spiritual life is one that is committed to personal responsibility and self awareness. Along with self awareness is a continual process of values clarification as in “this is who I am and what I value in my life”.
Awareness allows one to act in a genuine and authentic manner. To be authentic is to risk and experience the vulnerability that is part of being alive and engaged with others. Spiritual growth requires a willingness to suffer the symbolic death of the ego and the illusion of assuredness. The practice toward spiritual growth is to challenge our faulty perceptions. The objective is to burn reification through the willingness of honesty with self and others. Another way to say this is that our behaviors are in line with our values and beliefs.
In this model the counselor is a guide who helps the individual find meaningfulness and purpose in their existence.
The counselor is not one who applies skills or techniques to an identified symptom rather he/she is the one who presents a healing way of being. Clinical work is not the recitation of hollow platitudes and empty techniques. The power for change is found in interpersonal relations or the dialogic connection between the counselor and the patient. Carl Rogers presented a map the focus of which is unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence. When people experience acceptance they often feel safe enough to choose and change.
The quality and depth of interpersonal relationships is the focus of effective substance use disorder counseling.
Counseling involves being present; In order to be present one must come out from behind the security of the asserted power differential. Empowerment of others requires a challenging of our biases, stereotypes, and defense mechanisms. An effective counselor is one who has the ego strength to be vulnerable.
The thesis of this model is that substance use disorder counseling requires the building of a holding environment or a sacred space where change can occur. The initial clinical goal is engagement and connection which is accomplished through dialogue. Dialogue involves more than words, it involves an experience of acceptance; and the conveyance of empathy toward an understanding of the individual’s perspective.
The model also rests on the belief that imbalance is created and reinforced by maladaptive decisions relative to unpleasant experiences. Often maladaptive reactions develop into patterned distortions of perception. Everyone has balance within h/herself, as it is central to being human. The attitude of the counselor involves a belief in the human tendency toward health and balance. The substance dependent person can learn to honor the healthy part of h/her. On a daily basis they can salute and nurture the 51% that chooses life over negativity; which is Thanatos personified.
Being high is an experience beyond words and thus addiction cannot be cured by words or cognitive processes. People do not think their way sober. Counselors should instead offer experiences such as actually allowing the person to be heard. If you listen closely the person will describe h/her problem and outline h/her view of the solution. Counselors are powerless over their patients. This truth leads us to the goal of supporting autonomy and self efficacy. No one has the power to fix another but we do have the power to genuinely relate. The inherent intimacy of authentic dialogue has powerful healing properties. Interpersonal relational skills are the primary skills that must be mastered. Effective counselors must also learn to convey genuineness; which is an affective and meta -cognitive process.
