SUPERSTITIONS
Superstitions are irrational beliefs based on the relation between particular actions, or behaviours, and later outcomes. Superstitions are often based on the notion of luck and result from interpreting correlations as causes. Many of us would be aware of some of the more common superstitions, and whether we believe them or not, it is interesting to know where they came from!
Sneezing and Blessing
People commonly say "Bless You" or something similar when a near person sneezes. It is a common and polite behaviour, but not very logical. In ancient Rome, however, sneezing was identified as a sign of approaching sickness (particularly due to fear from the Plague). Pope Gregory was one of the first to instigate the saying of "God Bless You" towards someone who sneezed - it was believed to be a form of shielding a person from the approaching illness.
Breaking a Mirror - 7 years of Bad Luck
Another well-known superstition is that breaking a mirror will bring 7 years of bad luck. Apparently, the bad luck can be prevented if the broken mirror is removed from the house and buried. This superstition began in ancient Egypt and Greece where metal mirrors were perceived as magical items. During the time of ancient Rome when mirrors started being made out of glass, the superstition developed further and it was perceived that a broken mirror was a sign of bad luck. This bad luck would last for 7 years - 7 years because Romans believed a human body is physically rejuvenated every 7 years.
Walking Under Ladders
Crossing under a ladder is an action that some believe causes bad luck and is another superstition that many of us would be familiar with. This superstition is based on a religious-geometrical perception - a ladder leaning against a wall forms a triangle, which in turn, represents the holy trinity. Crossing under the ladder is like entering a 'holy zone' and considered a punishable offense. It is also believed that it may also weaken the powers of the gods, and thus strengthen evil spirits.
Encountering Black Cats
Apparently, if a black cat crosses your route, you should return to your house. In Medieval Europe, witches and demons were associated with black cats. In that time, the fear of being cursed by evil spirits reigned in several places of evil, particularly predominantly Catholic countries. A black cat, in that context, could 'easily' be a disguised witch - and therefore a clear threat to one's health.
As you can see, these common superstitions have been around for many, many years and often have their root in cultural and religious beliefs.
This information was based on the "People's Almanac" series of books, by David Wallechinsky & Irving Wallace. You can also find more information about superstitions at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
ANGER MANAGEMENT
ANGER MANAGEMENT
The following article is written by Ari Novick, a leading facilitator of Anger Management classes and training:
"Our client, Aaron, told us that in his family they typically yell at one another to get the point across. Aaron recently got into a relationship with a woman who told him that his anger "scares" her when he gets upset. Aaron's reply was that he was not upset, this was "just the way I am used to expressing myself when I get upset, this is normal for me". The reality is that what might be "normal" for you and your family of origin may not be the "norm" in terms of communicating effectively with others. Aaron's style of communication is aggressive, but he didn't realize the impact it had on his girlfriend. Aaron had to learn about his style of communication as well as other styles of communication to understand the kind of changes he needed to make. By learning to become more assertive, Aaron felt better, his needs got met more of the time, and his girlfriend no longer feared him when he did get upset.
The way we communicate or the style we use to communicate is often learned from much earlier experiences in our lives when our language skills were newly formed. Think about your family's style of communication for a moment. Is your style similar to any of theirs? Most of us tend to communicate in a way that was adaptive in the environment we grew up, but problematic in our lives today. For many of us, our style of communication can leave us with unmet needs, unexpressed emotion, and damaging effects on those around us. It is important to understand that there are many different communication styles, yet only one that tends to yield the results we are seeking. Learning to express your primary feelings and needs, clearly, calmly, with good eye contact is what assertive communication is all about.
Good communication skills are an essential ingredient to anger management because poor communication causes untold emotional hurt, misunderstandings and conflict. Words are powerful, but the message we convey to others is even more powerful and often determines how people respond to us - and how we feel toward them.
Because communication is a two-way process, people with good communication skills are good at "receiving" messages from others as well as delivering them. If you look at people in your life and we also look at your own behavior, you may discover certain patterns of communication. Some patterns are negative and harmful while others are positive and productive.
Frequently persons who have anger problems use harmful ways of communicating to others - harmful in the sense that it disrupts relationships and usually does not accomplish the goals that you intended.
Assertive communication, on the other hand, is a much more effective way to get what you want and what you need without the negative consequences. In short, the development of assertive communication skills will work for you by making you a more effective and less stressed person.
What is assertive communication? It is a way to communicate so that you convey your rights in a good way. Assertive communication helps people clearly explain their wants, needs, and feelings to other people. It is a way of getting things that you want without violating or offending others' rights or having to walk away without getting what you want.
Assertive people tell others what they want and need clearly; they have a knack of saying the correct thing at the correct time.
Assertive communication skills are the antidote to harmful, destructive communication patterns."
The following article is written by Ari Novick, a leading facilitator of Anger Management classes and training:
"Our client, Aaron, told us that in his family they typically yell at one another to get the point across. Aaron recently got into a relationship with a woman who told him that his anger "scares" her when he gets upset. Aaron's reply was that he was not upset, this was "just the way I am used to expressing myself when I get upset, this is normal for me". The reality is that what might be "normal" for you and your family of origin may not be the "norm" in terms of communicating effectively with others. Aaron's style of communication is aggressive, but he didn't realize the impact it had on his girlfriend. Aaron had to learn about his style of communication as well as other styles of communication to understand the kind of changes he needed to make. By learning to become more assertive, Aaron felt better, his needs got met more of the time, and his girlfriend no longer feared him when he did get upset.
The way we communicate or the style we use to communicate is often learned from much earlier experiences in our lives when our language skills were newly formed. Think about your family's style of communication for a moment. Is your style similar to any of theirs? Most of us tend to communicate in a way that was adaptive in the environment we grew up, but problematic in our lives today. For many of us, our style of communication can leave us with unmet needs, unexpressed emotion, and damaging effects on those around us. It is important to understand that there are many different communication styles, yet only one that tends to yield the results we are seeking. Learning to express your primary feelings and needs, clearly, calmly, with good eye contact is what assertive communication is all about.
Good communication skills are an essential ingredient to anger management because poor communication causes untold emotional hurt, misunderstandings and conflict. Words are powerful, but the message we convey to others is even more powerful and often determines how people respond to us - and how we feel toward them.
Because communication is a two-way process, people with good communication skills are good at "receiving" messages from others as well as delivering them. If you look at people in your life and we also look at your own behavior, you may discover certain patterns of communication. Some patterns are negative and harmful while others are positive and productive.
Frequently persons who have anger problems use harmful ways of communicating to others - harmful in the sense that it disrupts relationships and usually does not accomplish the goals that you intended.
Assertive communication, on the other hand, is a much more effective way to get what you want and what you need without the negative consequences. In short, the development of assertive communication skills will work for you by making you a more effective and less stressed person.
What is assertive communication? It is a way to communicate so that you convey your rights in a good way. Assertive communication helps people clearly explain their wants, needs, and feelings to other people. It is a way of getting things that you want without violating or offending others' rights or having to walk away without getting what you want.
Assertive people tell others what they want and need clearly; they have a knack of saying the correct thing at the correct time.
Assertive communication skills are the antidote to harmful, destructive communication patterns."
ETHICS AND STANDARDS FOR COUNSELLORS
ETHICS AND STANDARDS FOR COUNSELLORS
Have you ever found yourself involved in an ethical dilemma? Even if you are not a counsellor or mental health professional, it is most likely that at some stage of your life, you have been directly or indirectly involved in a situation in which ethical conduct was to be considered. The growth and standardisation of service industries, as well as the increasing awareness and obligation imposed by Privacy legislation, has led to the development of codes of conduct designed to protect both sides of the professional relationship - particularly the interests of clients. In counselling, ethical conduct is not only expected, but in many cases, is required by legislation.
So how does ethical conduct apply to the counselling relationship? Basically, ethics in counselling is comprised of two areas: confidentiality and professional ethics.
Confidentiality
"For counselling to be maximally effective, the client must feel secure in the knowledge that what they tell the counsellor is to be treated with a high degree of confidentiality. In an ideal world a client would be offered total confidentiality so that they would feel free to openly explore with the counsellor the darkest recesses of their mind, and to discuss the most intimate details of their thoughts." (Geldard & Geldard, 1998)*
It is recommended that counsellors discuss confidentiality issues with clients before the counselling relationship is established. In most cases, the counsellor will tell the client that their relationship will be relatively confidential. Relative confidentiality is required in order to improve the quality of the service, as on many occasions, the counsellor may have to: discuss session details with supervisors, exchange valuable information with other professionals, or maintain notes and formal records of every session that has occurred. Furthermore, there are legal issues involving confidentiality: if a court order is issued, the counsellor must release personal records in order to comply with legislation. This can be a very sensitive matter, especially when the counsellor acquires knowledge that a client is dangerous and may put other lives at risk. These dilemmas are faced by many counsellors working in prisons, or with aggressive and potentially dangerous clients.
"A counsellor who worked on a drug and substance abuse programme , had to visit people in their own homes, who were affected by substance misuse challenges. Sometimes their home was within the confines of Community Correction Centres. Because confidentiality was stretched sometimes at certain stages of their imprisonment, he strongly recommended to clients that it would be preferable for them not to mention names or dates so that he would not have that unnecessary information (and evidence) to cause them harm should there ever be the need to have to report or disclose some evidence of a particular situation, challenged."
Due to such situations, some counsellors even affirm that promising absolute confidentiality is unethical. The following are common aspects of a counselling relationship which prevent counsellors from providing absolute confidentiality to their clients:
§ Keeping records of sessions and client's personal data;
§ Release of information to Supervisors;
§ Protection of third persons from endangering situations;
§ Court orders or similar law enforcement issues which require information disclosure.
Professional Ethics
Because counselling is not a regulated profession in many countries (including Australia), the use of a professional code of ethics is a method of guiding the quality of the services provided by counsellors, the quality of training provided to counsellors, and protecting clients. These codes provide conduct guidelines for professionals and are an effective way to provide practice standards to many counsellors lacking experience or knowledge of the industry. It also serves the purpose of structuring the counselling industry, providing common professional descriptions, definitions and service boundaries according to each type of counsellor.
The Srilanka National Association of Counsellors one association in Srilankathat provides ethical guidelines and a code of conduct for counsellors. The Srilanka National Association of Counsellors Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice - can be accessed from their website at www.srilnac.org
An excerpt from this Code is:
Counsellors will:
ü Offer a non-judgemental professional service, free from discrimination, honouring the individuality of the client.
ü Establish the helping relationship in order to maintain the integrity and empowerment of the client without offering advice.
ü Be committed to ongoing personal and professional development.
Complying with ethical guidelines is one of the most important aspects of being a professional counsellor. Creating awareness in both counsellor and clients of the boundaries of the services provided will lead to a better development of the profession, and overall improvement of industry standards. Counsellors are responsible for keeping up-to-date with professional codes of ethics, confidentiality guidelines, and other relevant information.
If you would like to find more about ethics and professional conduct, visit the Srilanka National Association of Counsellors website www.srilnac.org
Have you ever found yourself involved in an ethical dilemma? Even if you are not a counsellor or mental health professional, it is most likely that at some stage of your life, you have been directly or indirectly involved in a situation in which ethical conduct was to be considered. The growth and standardisation of service industries, as well as the increasing awareness and obligation imposed by Privacy legislation, has led to the development of codes of conduct designed to protect both sides of the professional relationship - particularly the interests of clients. In counselling, ethical conduct is not only expected, but in many cases, is required by legislation.
So how does ethical conduct apply to the counselling relationship? Basically, ethics in counselling is comprised of two areas: confidentiality and professional ethics.
Confidentiality
"For counselling to be maximally effective, the client must feel secure in the knowledge that what they tell the counsellor is to be treated with a high degree of confidentiality. In an ideal world a client would be offered total confidentiality so that they would feel free to openly explore with the counsellor the darkest recesses of their mind, and to discuss the most intimate details of their thoughts." (Geldard & Geldard, 1998)*
It is recommended that counsellors discuss confidentiality issues with clients before the counselling relationship is established. In most cases, the counsellor will tell the client that their relationship will be relatively confidential. Relative confidentiality is required in order to improve the quality of the service, as on many occasions, the counsellor may have to: discuss session details with supervisors, exchange valuable information with other professionals, or maintain notes and formal records of every session that has occurred. Furthermore, there are legal issues involving confidentiality: if a court order is issued, the counsellor must release personal records in order to comply with legislation. This can be a very sensitive matter, especially when the counsellor acquires knowledge that a client is dangerous and may put other lives at risk. These dilemmas are faced by many counsellors working in prisons, or with aggressive and potentially dangerous clients.
"A counsellor who worked on a drug and substance abuse programme , had to visit people in their own homes, who were affected by substance misuse challenges. Sometimes their home was within the confines of Community Correction Centres. Because confidentiality was stretched sometimes at certain stages of their imprisonment, he strongly recommended to clients that it would be preferable for them not to mention names or dates so that he would not have that unnecessary information (and evidence) to cause them harm should there ever be the need to have to report or disclose some evidence of a particular situation, challenged."
Due to such situations, some counsellors even affirm that promising absolute confidentiality is unethical. The following are common aspects of a counselling relationship which prevent counsellors from providing absolute confidentiality to their clients:
§ Keeping records of sessions and client's personal data;
§ Release of information to Supervisors;
§ Protection of third persons from endangering situations;
§ Court orders or similar law enforcement issues which require information disclosure.
Professional Ethics
Because counselling is not a regulated profession in many countries (including Australia), the use of a professional code of ethics is a method of guiding the quality of the services provided by counsellors, the quality of training provided to counsellors, and protecting clients. These codes provide conduct guidelines for professionals and are an effective way to provide practice standards to many counsellors lacking experience or knowledge of the industry. It also serves the purpose of structuring the counselling industry, providing common professional descriptions, definitions and service boundaries according to each type of counsellor.
The Srilanka National Association of Counsellors one association in Srilankathat provides ethical guidelines and a code of conduct for counsellors. The Srilanka National Association of Counsellors Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice - can be accessed from their website at www.srilnac.org
An excerpt from this Code is:
Counsellors will:
ü Offer a non-judgemental professional service, free from discrimination, honouring the individuality of the client.
ü Establish the helping relationship in order to maintain the integrity and empowerment of the client without offering advice.
ü Be committed to ongoing personal and professional development.
Complying with ethical guidelines is one of the most important aspects of being a professional counsellor. Creating awareness in both counsellor and clients of the boundaries of the services provided will lead to a better development of the profession, and overall improvement of industry standards. Counsellors are responsible for keeping up-to-date with professional codes of ethics, confidentiality guidelines, and other relevant information.
If you would like to find more about ethics and professional conduct, visit the Srilanka National Association of Counsellors website www.srilnac.org
GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
GUIDE FOR STUDENTS
What is 'method'? Method (from Greek methodos or met hodos meaning "way across") is a word which entered English in 1541 via French and Latin, and is defined as 'a series of steps taken to complete a certain task or to reach a certain objective'.
Scientists use the scientific method to define the procedures related to research and study in scientific fields. Chefs use different methods of cooking to be able to reproduce different types of food from all around the world. What about students? Students also have their own methods - techniques to improve their learning which are developed from a mix of individual preferences and environmental circumstances. Have you ever considered how effective your study methods are? Well, in case you haven't, here are some strategies for you.
1. Study in short, frequent sessions: This "distributed learning" approach is highly efficient as it takes into consideration how your brain naturally performs. The brain needs recovery and recharging time for protein synthesis, which it acquires in the rest periods between one session and another (it can also be called an 'assimilation period'). Studying for long hours without breaks is likely to cause fatigue and stress, which decreases your capacity to absorb information.
2. Study under feasible circumstances: If you are emotionally distressed, very tired, angry or not feeling well, it is likely you will not absorb much data. Sometimes the best thing to do in this circumstance is to take a break. If your time is your most valuable asset, the last thing you'd want is to spend it ineffectively.
3. Reviewing is a good practice: Merging your memory with your present is the best way to effectively understand and memorise the content of your study. If you have read something in the morning, try reviewing the key points at night. Simple words, verbs or case scenarios will activate your memory, and it is also likely you will capture a few things you did not the first time round.
4. Learning is a logical process: Understanding the context of your studies enables you to learn at a much faster pace. During your learning, try to draw a picture of the whole process and then fill it with the specific details. Once you understand the logic of what you are learning, you'll find it much easier to solve varied problems.
5. Create associative mechanisms: Associative words are memory triggers. Sometimes a lot of data is stored in your brain in hard-to-access places. By creating associations, you are creating links between different entities and scenarios, which facilitates your memory's capacity to retrieve data.
6. Build a temple: Create your own place to study - a study temple, and don't let anyone access it. Once you step into your temple (which could be comprised of anything that helps you concentrate on your task), you're free of all external interruptions: kids, parents, work, telephone, TV. The environment will help switch your brain into 'study mode', and the 'burden' of having to study will become a constructive and pleasant way of having a break from everything else.
7. Pay attention to your own mistakes: When studying, it is normal to forget things, have a bad exam or get stuck writing an essay. Instead of punishing yourself about it, simply accept the fact it happened and analyse the reasons for it. You may be able to identify something in your study process which is causing diversion from your objectives. Remember that defeat is not an end, just a temporary detour.
8. Create a study framework: Developing study schedules and protocols will not only help you concentrate, but will also serve as measurements of productivity. Furthermore, creating rules for your study sessions will help you achieve the 'study mode' and keep your 'temple' in good shape. But once you set your study framework, make sure you stick to it!
9. Set goals: Setting goals will help you progress periodically in your studies. Goals help to measure your productivity, keep yourself motivated, maintain your focus, realise your achievements and, most importantly, improve control over your available resources. However, be realistic when setting your goals - make sure they are achievable.
10. Realise your potential: Finally, your confidence is what will take you from here to there. You may lack a multitude of resources that you'd like to have during your studies, have other major responsibilities along the way, or think that the task is too difficult for you to achieve - but once you picture yourself where you'd like to be, you can rest assured that it is achievable. Realise that potential and go for the ride!
So, I hope the hints above give you the enthusiasm, foundations and methods to commence or continue your studies. Good luck!
What is 'method'? Method (from Greek methodos or met hodos meaning "way across") is a word which entered English in 1541 via French and Latin, and is defined as 'a series of steps taken to complete a certain task or to reach a certain objective'.
Scientists use the scientific method to define the procedures related to research and study in scientific fields. Chefs use different methods of cooking to be able to reproduce different types of food from all around the world. What about students? Students also have their own methods - techniques to improve their learning which are developed from a mix of individual preferences and environmental circumstances. Have you ever considered how effective your study methods are? Well, in case you haven't, here are some strategies for you.
1. Study in short, frequent sessions: This "distributed learning" approach is highly efficient as it takes into consideration how your brain naturally performs. The brain needs recovery and recharging time for protein synthesis, which it acquires in the rest periods between one session and another (it can also be called an 'assimilation period'). Studying for long hours without breaks is likely to cause fatigue and stress, which decreases your capacity to absorb information.
2. Study under feasible circumstances: If you are emotionally distressed, very tired, angry or not feeling well, it is likely you will not absorb much data. Sometimes the best thing to do in this circumstance is to take a break. If your time is your most valuable asset, the last thing you'd want is to spend it ineffectively.
3. Reviewing is a good practice: Merging your memory with your present is the best way to effectively understand and memorise the content of your study. If you have read something in the morning, try reviewing the key points at night. Simple words, verbs or case scenarios will activate your memory, and it is also likely you will capture a few things you did not the first time round.
4. Learning is a logical process: Understanding the context of your studies enables you to learn at a much faster pace. During your learning, try to draw a picture of the whole process and then fill it with the specific details. Once you understand the logic of what you are learning, you'll find it much easier to solve varied problems.
5. Create associative mechanisms: Associative words are memory triggers. Sometimes a lot of data is stored in your brain in hard-to-access places. By creating associations, you are creating links between different entities and scenarios, which facilitates your memory's capacity to retrieve data.
6. Build a temple: Create your own place to study - a study temple, and don't let anyone access it. Once you step into your temple (which could be comprised of anything that helps you concentrate on your task), you're free of all external interruptions: kids, parents, work, telephone, TV. The environment will help switch your brain into 'study mode', and the 'burden' of having to study will become a constructive and pleasant way of having a break from everything else.
7. Pay attention to your own mistakes: When studying, it is normal to forget things, have a bad exam or get stuck writing an essay. Instead of punishing yourself about it, simply accept the fact it happened and analyse the reasons for it. You may be able to identify something in your study process which is causing diversion from your objectives. Remember that defeat is not an end, just a temporary detour.
8. Create a study framework: Developing study schedules and protocols will not only help you concentrate, but will also serve as measurements of productivity. Furthermore, creating rules for your study sessions will help you achieve the 'study mode' and keep your 'temple' in good shape. But once you set your study framework, make sure you stick to it!
9. Set goals: Setting goals will help you progress periodically in your studies. Goals help to measure your productivity, keep yourself motivated, maintain your focus, realise your achievements and, most importantly, improve control over your available resources. However, be realistic when setting your goals - make sure they are achievable.
10. Realise your potential: Finally, your confidence is what will take you from here to there. You may lack a multitude of resources that you'd like to have during your studies, have other major responsibilities along the way, or think that the task is too difficult for you to achieve - but once you picture yourself where you'd like to be, you can rest assured that it is achievable. Realise that potential and go for the ride!
So, I hope the hints above give you the enthusiasm, foundations and methods to commence or continue your studies. Good luck!
LIFE'S REAL BIG PROBLEM
LIFE'S REAL BIG PROBLEMS
Very often clients tell me about their problems, often in great detail, and I've noticed patterns that show up over and over. For many people, life's problems are viewed as "not enough money" or "not enough time". For couples, the problems are often around "communication" or "parenting" or "sex". They think if they only had more money or more time or better sex or a better job, things would be wonderful.
But it doesn't work that way, because these things are not the BIG PROBLEM. From my experience, I suggest life's really big problems are:
Tunnel Vision. The tendency to focus only on the immediate crisis or sore spot. Under stress, things look worse or more complex than they really are. The solution: Perspective. Ask if it will matter in 6 months. Ask what else is going on? How did I create this situation and, in an ideal world, what would I like to do about it?
Fear. The anxiety or terror that things will go badly, that we will fail or be embarrassed. The solution: Humour and Curiosity. Modern life has very few saber-tooth tigers. The situation is rarely life or death. Ask, what's the worst that can happen? What's the best? What can I learn? What would I do if I had no fear?
Confusion. The sense of being lost or unclear about our direction. The sense that we don't know our own priorities anymore. The solution: Responsible Choices. Choose your values and priorities and set your own path. Your life is yours. Check your moral compass, pick a direction and do something extraordinary!
Guilt. The belief that we have hurt or failed or sinned and deserve punishment. Guilt is either accurate, because sometimes we do behave badly, or it is false and simply an illusion. The solution: If we have transgressed, we must make restitution, ask forgiveness, learn from our error and move on. If it is false guilt, set it down as an unnecessary and irrational burden.
Shame. The belief that we are worth less than others, that we have a terrible, incurable flaw. It is not that we have done something wrong (guilt), but that we are bad or wrong. The solution: Clear, rational thinking. Everyone has behaved badly, but no one was created badly! Any flaws only serve to make you stronger, more heroic or more compassionate toward others.
Loneliness. The belief that no one loves us, that no one cares and we must desperately cling to anyone who finds us attractive or acceptable. This creates dependency, not intimacy. The solution: Accurate Self-Assessment. Not everyone will love you, but many people will if they meet you, get to know you, and spend time working/playing along side you.
Resentment. Holding anger and refusing to move beyond real or imagined mistreatment in the past. Some people spend their whole lives as "victims", nurturing a terrible event in their past. The solution: Let go! Life is not fair and people do not always behave well or kindly. Use your trauma to make you wise, kind, gentle, and strong. Holding anger will not work.
Self-Doubt. The repeated, endless questioning of your own abilities, opinions or actions. The inability to take a stand, to act boldly, or to follow through. The solution: Action! Think clearly, then take action and follow-through. Start small, but do it! You are the world's expert on your life! Use your wisdom to live well.
Stubbornness. The refusal or inability to re-assess a situation, change your mind, or admit you were wrong. The solution: Wisdom and Humility. Only a fool stays on a course that is headed for disaster! Search for new and better information; remain flexible, open and creative. When the situation changes, adjust accordingly and set a new course.
Addiction. Humans become addicted to drugs, but we also become addicted to our jobs, our opinions or our lifestyle. We can be addicted to people and need them rather than love them. The solution: Take a vacation! Periodically, walk in someone else's shoes. Break your habits, re-arrange your schedule, and delegate those things that only you can do "right". Use habits and traditions to set you free, don't let habits enslave you!'
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COUNSELLORS AND PSYCHOLOGISTS
The difference between counsellors and psychologists is a much discussed topic in today's mental health environment. With the exponential growth of professional counselling in the last two decades, there is a common debate involving many aspects of training and ethics in these two professions. For that reason, many people face an incognita when asked how to define, or even separate, the focus and objectives of the two. If you were asked to discuss this topic, what would you say? Here are some guidelines.
Counsellors focus on 'everyday' people with 'everyday' problems such as relationship, stress, workplace, and grief and loss issues. Counsellors do not conduct psychometric testing or prescribe medication and usually engage in one-on-one, family, or group work. Counsellors can refer clients to a General Practitioner or Psychologist for issues of a more serious nature.
Counsellors adopt a 'more positive' approach towards clients, with a major focus on the client's capability for improvement, achievement and productivity. Counselling is a learning-oriented process, with Counsellors as the facilitators.
Psychologists, on the other hand, are trained in many different theoretical approaches to human behaviour and also engage in one-on-one, family, or group work. Psychologists also usually work with clients with a mental illness and may be employed in more clinical positions. Psychologists can utilise a number of psychometric tests, however are not able to prescribe medication. The focus of most Psychologists' work is on specific problems or symptoms described from their client's perspective.
The difference between counsellors and psychologists is a much discussed topic in today's mental health environment. With the exponential growth of professional counselling in the last two decades, there is a common debate involving many aspects of training and ethics in these two professions. For that reason, many people face an incognita when asked how to define, or even separate, the focus and objectives of the two. If you were asked to discuss this topic, what would you say? Here are some guidelines.
Counsellors focus on 'everyday' people with 'everyday' problems such as relationship, stress, workplace, and grief and loss issues. Counsellors do not conduct psychometric testing or prescribe medication and usually engage in one-on-one, family, or group work. Counsellors can refer clients to a General Practitioner or Psychologist for issues of a more serious nature.
Counsellors adopt a 'more positive' approach towards clients, with a major focus on the client's capability for improvement, achievement and productivity. Counselling is a learning-oriented process, with Counsellors as the facilitators.
Psychologists, on the other hand, are trained in many different theoretical approaches to human behaviour and also engage in one-on-one, family, or group work. Psychologists also usually work with clients with a mental illness and may be employed in more clinical positions. Psychologists can utilise a number of psychometric tests, however are not able to prescribe medication. The focus of most Psychologists' work is on specific problems or symptoms described from their client's perspective.
FEAR
FEAR
"Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear." (Bertrand Russell)
Myrmecophobia, phalacrophobia, hobophobia, acrophobia, pentheraphobia, hypengyophobia, venustraphobia, ailurophobia, gamophobia, ophidiophobia, arachnophobia, hydrophobia, alektorophobia, philophobia, logophobia and testophobia*. Do you have these symptoms for any of these? If you do, you are likely to be a normal human.
Fear is a common and dictating aspect of human behaviour. It is such a common reality to be afraid, that we have literally hundreds of words describing a particular fear which someone has reported suffering from. There are enough words to create a Phobia Dictionary. In this article, we will analyse the underpinnings of fear, an impressive (and often disconcerting) human emotion.
What is Fear?
Fear is mainly a physical response. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system in the human brain is loaded with dopamine and adrenaline, which are chemical messengers from the body. In a 'danger situation', the HPA releases these messengers along with a hormone (cortisol) which in turn activates the amygdala (an area of the brain responsible for emotional responses, including fear conditioning). This reaction results in increased blood pressure, sugar availability, and an energy boost that allows humans to perform quite amazing displays of strength, reaction, and awareness in confrontational situations.
Because these chemical reactions occur before we have had the opportunity to consciously interpret the event, at times it can negatively impact upon our life. For instance, you may be walking in a dark street at night, and hear a loud noise. Before you actually evaluate the situation and assess the danger, your brain will access data from the hippocampus (brain area responsible for memory) and determine instant readiness to the situation. In this scenario, you may take an impulsive move, or make a bad decision. Thus, fear is seen (particularly by males) as a sign of weakness and a negative trait.
The Foundations of Fear
The causes of fear can vary to a surprising extent. They may be originated from a stress response which is related to a traumatic event from the individual's past; it can be a socially-motivated fear; or it can be a biologically-induced one. An example of a traumatic event would include a stressor, which is mainly a noise or image associated to an event that has incurred a personal trauma. Thus, people who are afraid of snakes will usually react with fear when they hear a noise which resembles a snake (naturally this interpretation will depend on the context).
A socially-motivated fear can be caused by a relationship between an event and its outcome. For instance, during the 19th Century in Britain, dying poor and helpless, was considered one of the most common fears. Early in the 20th Century, this shifted to the fear of being buried alive. During the 1st World War, bombs were much more 'scary' than during the 2nd World War.
Finally, biologically-induced fear refers to predispositions in our genes, due to evolution, which makes us prone to fear something. There have been studies which relate xenophobia and racism to behaviour from the Stone Age period, explaining why people naturally tend to shun outsiders.
Fear Counselling
As we've previously stated, fear seems to be a negative trait perceived from the eyes of common sense. But is it really? Although we cannot change the way our body physically responds to a threat, we can change the way we emotionally respond to our body. This becomes a strategy to avoid trauma, distress and bad decision-making when faced with the adrenalin pump that fear creates.
The basis of exploring the positive side of fear is changing conditioned behaviour. The inability to react positively in a state of fear is due to a memory associative process, in which the individual cannot see past negative outcomes which could occur. For example, a person who has a fear of heights will not be able to climb a tree because they will constantly enforce the idea of free-falling and getting badly hurt (or even dying). The problem is not in the sensation of fear, but in the association of the emotion and a negative outcome.
Cognitive restructuring techniques such as Thought Stopping and Rational Emotive Therapy are common methods used by counsellors to alleviate fears and barriers. Creating awareness and willingness to change is a crucial part of the counselling process, and can determine the turning point for the client - the moment of surpassing fears, and approaching success.
* Fear of... ants, becoming old, beggars, heights, mother-in-law, responsibility, beautiful women, cats, marriage, snakes, spiders, water, chickens, falling in love, words and taking tests
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