INSTRUCTOR MANUAL Counseling Techniques A Comprehensive Resource for Christian Counselors John C. Thomas general editor Introduction The purpose of the instructor manual for Counseling Techniques is to present individuals with resources for teaching a course on practical counseling techniques, as the name suggests. The manual is divided into three sections. The first section is divided by chapter, covering each of the 28 chapters from the book. Each chapter includes key terms, key points, student learning objectives, a chapter summary, pedagogical suggestions, and a 25-question quiz. Key terms and key points provide the reader with a quick overview of the chapter. Student learning objectives delineate the general goals a student should have for mastering the information in the chapter. Chapter summaries provide a brief summary of the chapter, and pedagogical suggestions provide ideas for teaching the chapter’s material to students. Finally, the chapter quizzes consist of 25 questions in the form of fill-in-the-blanks, true/false, and multiple choice, with the answers bolded. In the volume Counseling Techniques, every chapter is unique in its content and length, and therefore the length for each part in this manual (key terms, points, chapter summary, etc.) varies according to the chapter it reflects. The second section consists of both a midterm exam and a final exam. Each exam contains fifty questions taken from the chapter quizzes, with the answers bolded. Study guides for both exams are available but not physically included in this manual. Finally, the third section contains two sample syllabi, one for a Mon/Wed/Fri course and one for a Tue/Thurs course. Each syllabus includes a short description, student learning objectives, and a sample schedule with suggested readings, assignments, and quiz/exam dates. It has been a joy and an honor to create these resources for Counseling Techniques. I hope that this manual will be of help in teaching the valuable information compiled in this volume. Chelsea M. Breiholz Table of Contents Chapter overviews and components………………………………………………4 Midterm and final exams………………………………………………………...215 Sample syllabi……………………………………………………………………225 Chapter 1 Laying the Groundwork by John C. Thomas, PhD, PhD Key Terms: SITs (strategies, interventions, and techniques), the technique controversy, techniques, targets, practice-based evidence, client outcome, timing, the person-of-the-counselor, schoolism, evidence-based treatment (EBT), Spirit- infused counseling Key Points: • Research has shown SITs to be highly effective, but they are not without controversy, as some prefer to focus on the counseling relationship over the SITs. • The purpose of SITs is to address the client’s particular goals, or targets. • Although the terms strategies, interventions, and techniques are used interchangeably, they technically have slightly different meanings, with strategies being the most broad and techniques being the most specific. • SITs are important, but the person of the counselor is more important. • SITs are beneficial, but the therapeutic relationship and the Holy Spirit are the gateways through which real, lasting change occurs. Student Learning Objectives: • To understand the potential arguments for and against the use of SITs • To comprehend the purpose of SITs and to delineate the differences between the terms strategies, interventions, and techniques • To be able to explain the value of SITs, the value of the person of the counselor, and the value of the Holy Spirit’s involvement in the counseling process Chapter Summary: The use of strategies, interventions, and techniques (SITs) in the counseling process is endorsed by the majority of counselors, according to current research; some of them are learned in graduate school and others are learned out in the field. However, research also suggests that there is still some controversy over the use of SITs, mostly on the basis of philosophical stances. Famous existential icon Irvin Yalom, for example, prefers to emphasize the personal, healing relationship with a client as the main aspect of counseling rather than SITs. Others take a stance of indifference towards SITs, wanting to merely follow whatever the current research states as evidence-based practice. The author of this chapter, John Thomas, asserts that the therapeutic relationship is not only a SIT in and of itself, but it is also the gateway through which the use of all other SITs can be effectively employed. The purpose of SITS are to address the myriad emotional processes and issues that are the goals, or targets, of counseling. It is important to match the appropriate SIT with the appropriate goal, just like correctly aiming an arrow at a particular target. For Christian counselors, it is important to remember the target of spiritual transformation and to be competent in various SITs related to this area. The desired outcome of therapy, determined by the client, will serve as a guidepost in helping the counselor consider which SITs would be most helpful for the client’s particular goals. Strategies, interventions, and techniques can and usually are used interchangeably, but there are some differences among them. Strategies represent the big picture, or the overall plan to achieve a certain goal, such as motivational interviewing or self-awareness. Interventions are the specific plans to address specific aspects of the goal(s), such as assigning homework or examining a client’s beliefs. Techniques are the specific action steps taken within those interventions, such as writing down maladaptive, untrue thoughts and replacing them with healthy, true thoughts. It is important to consider the issue of timing as well, and determine which particular SITs would be most effective for each client during different times throughout the counseling process. No discussion of SITs would be complete without discussing the person of the counselor. Competence with SITs is important, but the person of the counselor is more important, as the counselor is the gateway through which SITs enter into the counseling process. The counseling profession does attract healthy individuals, but it attracts unhealthy individuals as well, so it is crucial to pay attention to one’s own psychological health as well and face any issues of our own when we become aware of them. One’s values will come through in the counseling process both implicitly and explicitly, so remembering to emphasize working on your own person is necessary. Although strictly adhering to particular schools of thought when it comes to counseling has mostly gone out of style, it is still wise to have a solid, theoretical base for conceptualizing the counseling process in a way that reflects one’s values. The common factors movement has resulted in taking the “common factors” among effective treatment modalities and incorporating them into practice when appropriate; this is also referred to as being “eclectic,” a word which many counselors today choose to describe their approaches. Although many techniques originated from particular schools of thoughts, they themselves have potential to be effective regardless of one’s personal theoretical inclinations. Specific multicultural considerations are not often formally addressed in this book, but it is wise for the reader to keep them in mind when studying and employing SITs as well. Research reveals a myriad of benefits to using SITs, but there is a limitation—by themselves, they cannot create real change. This is similar to the concept of preaching a technically well-crafted sermon that has no impact on the audience. Between the action and the impact are the person of the counselor and the person of the client, and for the Christian, also the Holy Spirit. SITs are empty without the power of the therapeutic relationship and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works supernaturally in us, our clients, and in the counseling process itself, and this sets Christian counseling apart. These elements all serve as the foundation on which the use of the SITs is built. There are six recommended guidelines to follow when considering the use of SITs. As a Christian counselor, one must always evaluate them in light of a Christian worldview and in light of truth to determine whether they are appropriate, using both the Bible and current research. For example, mindfulness is sometimes a controversial SIT, with some associating it with Buddhism only, and others recognizing it as perfectly compatible with Christianity. One must also determine if SITs are compatible with one’s own values; if they are not, they will not be authentic and should not be used. It is also necessary to determine if SITs align with your own theoretical views of counseling and conceptualizing human functioning. One should always prioritize the well-being of the client, and make sure the SIT is appropriate for the particular issue(s) being addressed. Finally, it is wise to be flexible in one’s approach and to always explain the rationale behind SITs to your clients, similar to the process of explaining informed consent. In conclusion, although the different ways of viewing and employing SITs may not always be shared by every counselor or researcher, research shows that SITs are incredibly helpful and effective. Yet it is important to remember that SITs are only tools, and the person of the counselor (and the Holy Spirit) is the gateway through which they can create lasting change in the lives of clients. Pedagogical Suggestions • Have students either as a whole class or in groups discuss the pros and cons of using techniques in therapy. • Ask students to discuss or write about the differences between strategies, interventions, and techniques as discussed in the book and to create their own examples of each one. • Ask students to discuss or write about ways in which their values, or a counselor’s values, could be implicitly or explicitly expressed in the counseling process; ask them to give specific, detailed examples to the best of their abilities.