Being Present

Counseling Theories

Posted on by missycooper1

What did I learned in my last Counseling class before my field experience?  I thought I knew something about Counseling Theorists, but then Dr. D had this way of showing you the theories in such a way that they really stick.

The class structure was a great format to dissect and dig into theories.  The process of presentation followed by professor overview, then movement into a live role play, and finally into an activity created an environment of learning that leaves room for participation, learning and feedback.  I got the most from the role plays, as these helped me see how different theories can impact individuals and problems.  These experiences have helped me choose the theories that I believe in and trust will work for my style and my view of human nature and development.  I have learned that theory is the second most important part of working with clients. Read More

Outcome accomplished, and a new journey begins!

Posted on by missycooper1

Last week I wrote about finding that path to extraordinary and how my journey began when I decided to change my mind to become lighter and more agile.  The specific goal?  To run a  half-marathon!  On Sunday, I did it!  We fared the cold weather and the misty rain, the hills we had not trained for, and incredibly 3 hours later we were crossing the finish line.  My hubby was my wingman, and even though his pace is much faster than mine, he stayed with me till the finish line.  That support cannot be overlooked.  When we are doing something that requires a change of thinking, it is important to surround yourself with people who are on your side, supportive and believe in you!

During the process, I felt great, happy, and for a moment overwhelmingly proud of myself.  I reflected on who I used to be, and how great it feels to make positive changes for a healthy lifestyle.  Sure there were moments when I had pain in my body, or I was really cold from the weather change and rain, but not once did I ever consider giving up.  That was not an option.  We trained for the half, we put in the work, and we were ready.  Now I wasn’t sure if i would ever do another, but then when I finished and crossed that finish line, that all changed.  If I could do 13.1 in 3 hours with bad weather and hills I had not trained for, then I could blast that time under better conditions!  So, next half-marathon scheduled for March!  The things we can accomplish when we put away the thoughts that sabotage our excellence!

Finding love that lasts

Posted on by missycooper1

Love.  It is the one thing in life that we all need, search for, hope for, ache for, and even sometimes in our fear – run from.  John Lennon said it best, “All You Need Is Love.”  Martin Luther King said, “Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend.”  From a spiritual perspective, “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV).  The Dali Lama notes that, “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries.  Without them humanity cannot survive.”

If love is essential to all aspects of life, why is it so hard to see it when it arrives before you?  I recall a time when I thought all I wanted was a relationship with a man who truly loved me, yet I did many things to get in my own way, and prevent love from flourishing in my life.  Read More

Gestalt and Adlerian theory can help us understand life.

Posted on by missycooper1

Gestalt therapy emphasizes the significance of restoring the wholeness of a person’s disembodied parts to create integration and balance.  These “disembodied parts” are the source of a person’s difficulties in life, and bringing awareness to this imbalance supports change.  Perls is quoted by Seligman (2010) describing the human organism, “We have not a liver or heart.  We are liver and heart and brain yet, even this is wrong – we are not a summation of parts but a coordination of the whole.  We do not have a body, we are a body, we are somebody.”  In Gestalt theory and practice, the body is a huge predictor of what is happening in the here and now and how the experience in counseling may translate into their behaviors in their everyday lives.  Gestalt techniques use observable behaviors in the here and now to bring awareness to the client of their emotions and thoughts so that they can reconnect with their body.  Gestalt theorists believe that all the qualities that a client  needs to be successful are within, but they sometimes may need help.  Through awareness and reconnecting with oneself in the here and now growth can occur. Read More

How do you know that you got it right?

Posted on by missycooper1

I am close to graduation and completing my internship, I have the privilege to work with some amazing clients that are in recovery.  So far, it has been an eye-opening learning experience.  After class the other night, I started to reflect on a case conceptualization that we discussed in class.  I began to think, how do you know that you got it right?  In some cases there are many different paths a counselor can take with a client and there may be several different relevant issues the client needs help with.  So, again how do you know for sure that you got it right?  Read More

Why is it?

Posted on by missycooper1

Why is it that when we have nothing to do we want to do everything, and when we have too much to do we only want a slice of time to do nothing?  Yet when given a chance at either, we still end up feeling disappointed?

As I begin this blog I will ask and attempt to answer the questions such as these that perplex the human condition.  My hope is that my background in counseling will open minds and provoke thought.  For those that are interested in partaking on this journey, welcome! Read More