My Therapeutic Perspective…
As a counsellor, I acknowledge my own journey of development, influenced at the foundation by cultural teachings and I humbly bring my person-hood to the therapeutic setting. Additionally, my therapeutic perspective on client change is also grounded in Existential theory and integrates approaches used in Solutions-Focused Brief therapy and Family Systems therapy.
The Theory
Existentialism is a philosophical approach that serves to influence a counsellor’s therapeutic practice rather than a defined model or school of therapy. At its core, is the belief that each of us has the ability to find meaning in our lives. The counsellor works to understand the client on their own subjective terms and encourages them to reflect on their life, acknowledge the source of their angst, and take responsibility for change. Simply put, each of us is tasked with creating a life that has meaning and purpose.
The Therapy
Solutions-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) concentrates on small, realistic, and sustainable goals that can result in positive outcomes. In this type of therapy, the therapist empowers the client to fully participate in the therapeutic process by acknowledging their expertise in who they are and where they see an opportunity for change. The SFB therapist participates as someone competent in the process of change and works to create a space where there is mutual respect, safe exploration, and affirmation for what the client is hoping to change. Essentially, it is a therapy that focuses on solutions and results as opposed to dwelling on the problem.
Family Systems Therapy (FST) deviates from an individual approach in that it focuses on human problems from a relational perspective. Fundamentally, the family systems perspective suggests that we are best understood by how we interact with others in our system. Rather than seeing the source of the problem as something wrong with the client, the family systems therapist sees trouble within the system. The therapist explores the system concentrating on intergenerational meanings, rules, processes, and cultural nuances.
