Counseling Theories: Collaborative Problem Solving

Counseling Theories The various clinicians at my practicum site maneuvered through different counseling theories depending on the needs of the child. I spent most of my practicum developing coping skills, coming up with plans of action, and assessing crisis situation. To effectively counsel each resident I used a theory known as Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS). Collaborative Problem Solving deal with children with emotional, social, and behavioral issues and assesses it from a developmental perspective (Greene, Ablon, 2006). Collaborative Problem Solving views the client’s maladaptive behavior as developmental delay, better explained by “lagging skills” (Greene, Ablon, 2006). Collaborative Problem Solving takes the focus off of parenting skills and focuses on collaborating to challenge behaviors (Greene, Ablon, 2006). I have learned to refocus my perspective and approach from using Collaborative Problem Solving. Collaborative Problem Solving challenges the counselor to think about what skills has the child not yet developed, or is lacking in. For example, I had a client who solved all her problems by running away. In a CPS perspective, the child may lack in cognitive flexibility, or the ability to process and develop alternative behaviors. This perspective allowed me to express my concern, or the adult concern, and explore the child’s

I found myself doing a lot of reflecting feelings and paraphrasing with my clients. I found that reflecting feelings helps the clients clarify and identify emotions they were unaware of. Watching my supervisor and other clinicians in session made me realize how important SOLAR actually is. I found it somewhat humorous that they were doing it and I knew exactly what it was. My supervisor is great at giving encouragers. I noticed when the youth shut down she will allow silence to allow them to think, then shortly after they continue