Counselling Methods by Donavan Teo https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM CAE Nov 2021 en-us 2021-11-18 02:16:55 UTC 2025-11-14 11:03:30 UTC hello@padlet.com Student Reflections donavam881 https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1898435534 3 Things I've learnt today
2 Thoughts I have
1 Question I have is]]> 2021-11-18 02:20:33 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1898435534 Nuggets of learning from Lect 4 :) https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1901638076 3 things learned: Application of Empty chair technique to working on/thru one's grief,loss,guilt; Picking up on the client's non-verbal cues/language patterns; Classic vs Modern Gestalt Therapy
2 thoughts: How to integrate PCT and modern Gestalt, More real-life examples of the various language patterns to look out for
1 follow-up Q: How do we select clients for this technique besides considering their education level and whether they are able to empathise/adopt someone's stance?
~kate]]> 2021-11-19 08:33:51 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1901638076 dan_lum1 https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1901849161 3 things learned: 
-  Gestalt focuses on the experiential approach, the here-and-now with an emphasis on personal choice and responsibility
-  Empty Chair technique is a powerful role-play tool that helps the client being into awareness any introjections, conflicts and/or hidden feelings they are denying 
-  Unfinished business in one’s past often show up as blockages in the body and Gestalt therapy helps clients experience the impasse, bring greater awareness and experience actualization and growth

2 thoughts I have
-  Gestalt therapy enables client and therapist to arrive at the underlying causes relatively quickly  
 - Gestalt theory is extremely hard to master as the therapist needs to be very skilled to get the client to express the unconscious (id) feelings, thoughts, notions and bring these to the present.  Additionally to facilitate the client to  analyse, understand, take ownership and learn how to make informed choices on how to manage for future events

1 question I have
- How does the assessment of the client’s condition and mental state happen and how does the therapist monitor and track if the client is improving?

-Daniel

]]> 2021-11-19 11:12:21 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1901849161 Reflections https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1901866060 3 things learned:
Present-centered awareness, incl sensory awareness; Goal of maturation; Creative applications of empty chair technique.
2 thoughts/to pursue further:
Application (personal and therapeutic) of Gestalt approach to change (paradoxical theory of change) which says that change can only happen when we accept what we are, in the present, and not try to be what we are not or where we think we should be;
How do we ensure ethical use of Gestalt approaches/techniques, prevent abuse of power and manipulation (perhaps even by well-intentioned therapists)?
1 question:
Textbook talks about awareness, contact and integration being the aims of Gestalt therapy. Is "contact" in relation to contact with environment as well as contact btw therapist/client?
~Mary

]]> 2021-11-19 11:26:47 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1901866060 Reflections on Gestalt Therapy https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1902339678 What I learned today:
1. Gestalt focuses on the present but also incorporates elements of the past - it roots the client in the present while also picking up possible signs of subconscious trauma from the past, exhibited in the client’s movements, for example. In this way, it is more dynamic and “flexible” than psychoanalysis and PCT. 
2. It is “real time” therapy in that it evolves with the client’s needs and concerns. 
3. Compared to psychoanalysis and PCT, which involve straight talking, Gestalt encourages the client to express him or herself creatively - via the Empty Chair technique, for example. This forces the client to see different perspectives and to delve deeper into the root of issues.

Two things to pursue further:
1. I’d like to know more about the difference between original Gestalt Therapy and the new softer version. What were the guidelines that were put in place?
2. After the next lesson, would be keen to examine the difference between Gestalt (which focuses on emotion) and CBT (which focuses on thought) and see how the two can be integrated.

1 question:
1. Can one practise Gestalt Therapy without empathy? I ask this after watching the Gloria video where Fritz Perls seemed to be pretty rough with his client.

- Soh Chin ]]> 2021-11-19 15:29:15 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1902339678 Reflections on Gestalt Therapy (GT) https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903143505 Three things learnt: (1) GT has commonalities with PCT in that it also derives from humanistic, phenomenological and experiential traditions. (2) While it strives to root the client in the present, by encouraging (sometimes thru confrontation) the client to focus on present feelings and thoughts, it also engages the past by seeking to perceive or uncover past "unfinished business" and bringing it to the surface. (3) Compared to PCT, GT appears to make much more use of 'tools' like role-play techniques such as Empty Chair to coax the client into a more focused type of self exploration into root issues.

Two thoughts I have: (1) My first impression is that GT could be a more 'risky' technique for newer counsellors to use compared to PCT. Because the tools appear to require guidance from the therapist to help a client understand their aim and use, and to help the client assess the resultant outcomes and feelings and thoughts expressed and uncovered, a less experienced counsellor could inadvertently impose his or her own interpretations onto the client or perhaps unconsciously seek to guide the client towards an outcome that the therapist favours. (2) However, if used well, I do believe that compared to PCT, the tools have the potential to provide a more direct and focused process that could enable the therapist and client to uncover and resolve underlying traumas, unfinished business and thereby aid in faster recovery.

One question I have: Are there cultural factors in Singapore that could require the therapist to spend more time convincing clients of the efficacy of the tools, such as having to overcome the more reserved and self-conscious personalities of more introverted clients who may have the 'Asian' trait of not feeling comfortable with open expression? Would such underlying discomfort with such expressive tools like Empty Chair sometimes interfere with their use such that it may require the therapist to interject or guide the client more than is advisable?    

Bert]]> 2021-11-20 01:52:52 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903143505 Reflections https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903199912 3 things learnt:
-Focus on here and now and bring past into present
-creative and experiential
-client learns to accept responsibility for what they do

2 thoughts:
-The suitability of empty chair technique for clients who don't know the other party well enough
-Exaggeration exercise and staying with feelings are techniques to increase client's awareness of their own senses

Question:
- How should therapist respond when client became biased in formulating the response of the other party during rehearsal exercise?

Celest]]> 2021-11-20 03:16:11 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903199912 https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903264147 Gestalt Therapy

Three things I have learnt

1. This therapy is a combination of Psychoanalysis and person centered therapy.
2. Therapists asks  "What" and " how" questions to help the clients to explore.
3. Present is more significant and the past is reviewed with reference to the present.

Two thoughts I have
1. The therapist has to be creative and spontaneous.
2. The therapists needs to pay attention to the body language closely as it would help them to understand the client better.
One question I have
1. I feel the therapist needs to be mature and experienced when using this therapy. Would the beginner therapist be able to practice without any supervision?

Gayatri Shankar ]]> 2021-11-20 05:07:43 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903264147 Lecture 4 https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903366957 3 Things learned:
1)The therapy helps the client gain more awareness of present feelings and thinking.
2)There unique technique used is "empty chair"
3)Even though the therapy focuses on the client's present feelings, it also functions to root the unfinished business of the client and let the client experience the impasse again so that he can actualize and grow from this experience.

2 Thoughts:
1) This therapy requires the therapist himself/herself has strong awareness and sensing capability. He/her needs to have enough experience on how to keep a balance between the field and his/her internal part so that he/she can teach the techniques to the client.
2) The therapist needs to be very observant so that he/she can capture the verbal and nonverbal cues from the client's reactions. 

1 Question
At the beginning of the therapy session, the therapist asks the client how the client feels right now. Could there be a case that the client is not able to express his feelings accurately(or the people who has deflection)? How could the dialogue continue?

-Xiaofeng]]> 2021-11-20 08:47:27 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1903366957 3 take aways: https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1904221971 1. the evolving stance of Classical Gestalt from the intimidative confrontational approach to a more friendly relational approach
2. rehearsal & reversal role plays applied in the 2 chairs techniques
3. Dream works, client experiencing the roles & perspectives of the parts to learn the nessages in the dream 

my two thoughts:
1. pointing out messages thru observations of client's manifested body languages must be carefully & carefully executed for the benefits of the client. 
2. the benifits of "laguage" empowerment can really increase the ego strengthening process of clients

Questions:
In helping the client to increase their awareness of the current phenomenal & feelings, what happened when the situation gets out of hand? eg., client's emotion boils & snapped?

]]> 2021-11-21 09:38:34 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1904221971 3 things I’ve learnt for gestalt therapy https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1905743154 - focuses on the present moment, awareness of his/her experience in the now. 
- therapist guides/navigates the session and asks “how would the other person feel/respond”. More therapist led. 
- person centre approach 
- empty chair approach 

Two thoughts from me:
- the person has to have a certain level of cognitive ability to process the empty chair approach 
- therapist has to be hands on and dynamic in the session

One question 
- suitable for kids therapy? 
- Therapist has to be very experienced to lead the empty chair approach? ]]> 2021-11-22 10:05:05 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1905743154 Student Reflections - Gestalt Therapy https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1905833433 3 Things I've learnt today:
- Emphasis on the client gaining awareness, through focusing on the therapeutic process.
- It is an experiential approach that focuses on the 'here and now' - i.e. how client perceives the past in the present time.
- Modern Gestalt Therapy has since moved away from Perls' style of client-manipulation towards building a genuine client-therapist relationship.

2 Thoughts I have:
- Perhaps a lot of trust is required to successfully carry out empty-chair technique.
- What happens if the technique is not successful after many attempts.

1 Question I have is:
- Wondering how to apply this therapeutic approach if the client is unable to comprehend/understand empty-chair technique, i.e. child, special-needs, etc.

]]> 2021-11-22 11:06:26 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1905833433 3 leranibg pts: https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1907589187 1. The morphing process from pure BT approach(denial of cognitive influence) to the contemporary CBT which includes consideration of cognition and feelings. 
2. the application of structured tecniques to attain a specific behavuorak change
3. the method is evidenced based on empirical research

2 thoughts:
1. the endurance of results, can they be enhanced? 
2. the operand methods can be confusing if not priperly understood

Question:
In the constant evolving nature of CBT, whats the latest practice in the current time? ]]> 2021-11-23 04:45:49 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1907589187 Reflections on Behavioural Therapy (BT) https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1908116918 3 take-aways:
1) Client takes an active role (readiness for change / want to change, goal-setting, self-monitoring,maintenance of newly acquired behaviours via taught /learned coping strategies) during and after therapy
2) BT considers the antecedents (triggers) / environmental conditions (including the socio-cultural factors in one's life) that lead to the problem behaviour - one of the advantages over other theories in catering to the culturally-diverse population
3) BT is a continual assessment + therapy process (initial thorough functional assessment by the therapist, feedback from client, measuring progress and tracking change during / post-therapy periodically) to bring about sustained change of functional significance
2 Thoughts:
1) Assuming change can happen without insight - BT may work more for the paediatric population (particularly the operant method via reinforcement)
2) Relationship between client and therapist is still important as a foundation on which BT can proceed after the initial session
1 Question:
Differences between Contemporary BT and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
~kate
]]> 2021-11-23 10:44:07 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1908116918 https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1908645455 I still don’t quite understand why is field theory ]]> 2021-11-23 15:08:29 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1908645455 Reflections On BT https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1909524585 3 Things Learnt: (1) Therapist takes a much more 'directive' role compared to PCT and even Gestalt Therapy. (2) Stresses and depends on the efficacy of empirically proven techniques that have much of their basis on conditioning concepts. (3) Implies that insight is not a precondition for changing behaviour.

2 Thoughts: (1) Despite the stress on empirically proven techniques, I don't think that BT necessarily implies that the client-therapist relationship is unimportant. Having a good and trusting client-therapist is not inconsistent with BT, and indeed should be strived for as BT also requires close collaboration between the client and therapist in goal setting. (2) While insight may not be strictly necessary for changing behaviour, I feel that the client attaining insight into the possible causes or history of behaviour he or she wants to change would be very helpful to client in ensuring enduring positive behavioural changes.

3 Question: Would like to better understand the latest thinking on whether there are any BT or CBT techniques which have been observed to be the most practiced and effective in the Singapore context, and if so, what could be the reasons for their success here?

Bert Wee]]> 2021-11-24 01:06:56 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1909524585 Reflections on Behavioural Therapy https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1912282673 3 things I learned:
1. Of all the therapies so far, this one is the most "task-oriented'' with focused methodologies and processes.
2. Client takes the initiative and decides what needs to be done, but the therapist ultimately plays a large part, because he/she chooses the methods. 
3. This theory is refreshing because it really focuses on the here and now, with no thought to possible causes or the analysis of past traumas. In this way, it's the perfect therapy for corporates - there are KPIs and one can measure ROIs!

2 things to pursue further:
1. While methods and processes are meant to be meticulously documented, I still find this therapy slightly disconcerting because the "human" element is diminished in favour of results. Intelligent robots can be therapists, following this model.
2. Also, as mentioned above, the therapist can easily assume the role of Svengali, controlling and manipulating the pathways to the client's success.

1 question:
1. How popular is BT compared to CT? Is the mind more important or powerful than emotions/behaviours?

- Soh Chin

]]> 2021-11-25 09:48:03 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1912282673 https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1912375498 What are the 3 things I learnt today?

1.      Although it is unrelated to the topic today, I did learned the differences between the role of Psychologist, Psychiatrist and Counsellor. 
2.      How each BT techniques lead / manipulate behaviors into desired one. Classical conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning. 
3.      BT is effective in changing behavior at the same time it can be manipulative.  

What are the 2 thoughts I have about today’s learning or wish to pursue further?

1.      The video example of piano staircase makes me wonder how long will the effects last? I personally think it might only have effect for a short while and when people no longer having curiosity, they might be return back to using the escalator.
2.      After learning few methods especially BT, I start seeing the importance of quality of the counsellor. The counsellor has to be self-awareness on the intention of his/herself. Or else, this methods can be manipulative tools or against the client’s will. 

What is 1 follow up question that I have this week?

1.      I would like to understand more about the EMDR and how it works. 

Ivy
]]> 2021-11-25 10:48:55 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1912375498 3 concepts learned: eddyooi https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1913780775 1. Its ok not to be ok
2. accept imperfections of self, others & the world
3. you can change ur thoughts to achieve happiness

Eddy Ooi]]> 2021-11-26 06:09:04 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1913780775 Reflections on CBT https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1915170399 3 take-aways
1. Socratic questioning - one of the CT's strategies (vs REBT's process of helping client in disputing i.e debating,challenging,reframing) his/her irrational beliefs (cf The table metaphor)
2. ABC(D) framework for REBT
3. Application of CBT (cognitive, problem-oriented) - best suited for cases in which cognitive distortions are present; clients have good concentration and memory
2 Thoughts
1. Within the CBT approaches, there are still some differences - note: to choose the most appropriate approach to cater to each client's needs and cognitive abilities
2. For REBT- it may be challenging for less experienced therapists to choose the appropriate irrational belief (that's of more significance) out of the many beliefs that may come up during therapy 😅
1 Question
I wonder - would most clients be seeking more for quick fixes (symptom relief ) or for longer, sustainable change (that would require much more work on his/her part via CBT)? 😅😅
~kate

]]> 2021-11-27 06:43:54 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1915170399 Reflections on BT https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1916468634 3 things I learnt:
1) While goal formation is a fairly even split between therapist and client, the execution is more directed by the therapist.
2) Therapeutic progress is attributed to technique rather than relationship.
3) Goals are clear and tangible.

2 thoughts:
1) This approach addresses symptoms rather than causes - might be useful to complement with other approaches for more lasting change?
2) I believe the therapeutic relationship might play an important role in the effectiveness of this approach too.

1 qn: What are some situations where BT might be contraindicated?

Trudy
]]> 2021-11-28 17:39:13 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1916468634 CBT https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1916889846 three things learned:
1.The goal of CBT is to find out the irrational belief that influence the client's emotion and behavior and help the clients to dispute the irrational belief so the problematic behavior could be changed.
2.Homework plays an important part in the therapeutic process. Therapist and clients need to work in a collaborative way in negotiating mutually agreeable homework tasks. 
3. The competency requirement on CBT therapist is high as he/she must be very familiar with the empirical techniques used on various diagnosed cases.

two thoughts:
1.In most CBT models, the therapist funcitons in many ways as a teacher. The relationship between the therapist and the client is quite different from which was described in PCT. 
2.If a client's belief system is very strong, it could be quite difficult for the disputing process to take place. 

one question:
There are so many techniques under CBT. when the client comes for counselling, does he/she has the right to choose which technique they want to try or the therapist will make a decision first and just inform the client that they will use this technique?

xiaofeng

]]> 2021-11-29 02:07:10 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1916889846 3 learning points https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1917563105 1. To dispute a belief, we can do it through exception finding and replacing the belief with one that is more helpful/rational.
2. Beliefs are powerful - therefore they could be really helpful for one's life or they could be very limiting. 
3. We keep reindoctrinating ourselves with our irrational beliefs, keeping the problem alive and magnifying them. 
Thoughts: 
Sometimes, maybe clients/ourselves know that a particular belief is not helpful and that probably causes a lot of stresses and emotional disturbances, and maybe we know they are not entirely rational, but yet, they still want to hold on to them as they are used to thinking that way for the longest time. Therefore, readiness to change is important too. ]]> 2021-11-29 10:30:09 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1917563105 Reflections on Solution-Focused Brief Therapy https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1924008310 3 things learned:
1) One of the main techniques used: discourse and exploration about exceptions (- those differences and successes in client's life), the Miracle Question (and follow-up qs)
2) Client is the expert of his/her own life, has the strengths and competencies to make new narratives, construct solutions
3) Therapist's role/function: to provide an optimistic and affirming platform, to assist client in making the shift from a fixed problem state to solutions-/future-oriented talk (new possibilities, identifying and discovering exceptions and what are working in client's life)
2 Thoughts:
1) SFBT being brief, action + goal-oriented, therapist has to ascertain client's readiness for change and assist him/her accordingly for a more effective therapeutic outcome
2) The not-knowing stance that therapists adopt- may clash with some cultures that view counsellors as the expert who will provide solutions
1 Q:
How commonly used (in Singapore) and any significant differences between using SF talk in counselling vs in coaching (high performance training)? 
~kate]]> 2021-12-02 00:30:15 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1924008310 SFBT https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1924286069 3 things learned
1） In social constructionism therapy, therapist is not the expert. The clients are the expert of their own lives.
2） The therapist enters the client’s world with a “not-knowing position”.
3） SFBT focus on exceptions to the clients’ problems and conceptualized solutions instead of the problems they are facing and how the problem emerged.
 
2 thoughts
1)      Asking the client about pretherapy change is quite unique for the SFBT. It attributes the client’s own effort in making positive changes. It also encourages the client to rely more on his own resources to accomplish their goals.
2)      The “miracle questions” technique has some similarity with “the reversal exercise” technique in Gestalt therapy. The miracle questions guide the client to experience the different feeling behaviors he could have when the problem is solved. While the reversal exercise let the client to act out on the other extreme of the problematic behavior. Both of these two techniques give the client a chance to experience what could he do or how could he feel if the problem is solved. 
 
1 question
Helping the client find out some exceptions is very important in the SFBT therapy, could there be some time the client has difficulty in doing that? How can the therapist further help the client do recall some exceptions?
-Xiaofeng
]]> 2021-12-02 03:33:10 UTC https://padlet.com/donavam881/CSM/wish/1924286069