Counseling test #2

Question 1

1. Define sanity?

Answer 1

The ability to think and behave in a normal and rational manner; sound mental health. Reasonable and rational behavior.

Question 2

2. Define insanity?

Answer 2

According to Einstein “Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different result”. Getting angry, frustrated, depressed, confused, paranoid or stuck in the same thought patterns over it.

Question 3

What is the six signs of people needing help.

Answer 3

1. The context of the behavior is wrong
2. The persistence of the behavior
3. The perceived social deviance of the behavior in that culture
4. Whether the behavior were causing subjective distress for the individual
5. Whether the behavior were placing any psychological handicaps upon the individual
6. Whether the behavior were having a debilitative, undesirable effect on the overall functioning

Question 4

What is the critical mass (of the 6 different signs)?

Answer 4

Opinion question/answer: The critical mass is the tipping point. Number 6 (Whether the behavior were having a debilitative, undesirable effect on the overall functioning) because this is if the behavior is affecting the overall functioning of the person.

Question 5

How does the definition of sanity/ insanity relate to Kollar/ or to mainstream American psycology?

Answer 5

To Kollar: If it doesn’t work, stop doing it… If it works… do more of it. Insanity is when you are doing something that doesn’t work again and again, so that needs to stop.

American Psycology: Where does the problem come from? If you can change your thought and next emotion you can change your behaviour.

Question 6

What does “individual paradigms” or “psycological set” mean and can this contribute to getting “stuck”?
Give an example.

Answer 6

We all have self-imposed rules and regulations that establish our personal ways of dealing with life. We learn how to be successful within these parameters - which we would call our individual paradigms. (Kollar page 13)
Psycological set is what shapes our experiences. A predisposition to perceive things in a certain way. Illustration: Our sensitivity to hear our own name in a big group. Or if we are hungry we easily smell food.

Question 7

What does 2. Corinthians 5:17 say?

Can people change?

Answer 7

2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

People can change in the name of Jesus!

Question 8

What does Kollar mean when he says ministers have gotten out of the people changing business/ psychological counselling? Is this god/bad? In your own heart/mind?

Answer 8

We don’t know! Let us know if YOU do.

Question 9

Explain, compare and contrast American/ Western European psychology and Kollar?

Answer 9

American/ Western European Psychology: Problem-Focused. Counselor focused on the problem and try to figure out the root of it
Kollar: In Solution-Focus - Both the counselor and counselee focus on setting goals to reach a solution.
The priority is to help the conselee get “unstuck”, not to generate personality change. True personality change occurs as a natural process of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Contrast: Focus on problem or solution?

Question 10

What is imagineering and how does it relate to different approaches?

Answer 10

• If it can be dream, it can be built.
• Avoid digging deeper into an individual’s life
• Look forward to and expect change in someone’s life and situation
• In imagineering: finding the good in everyone’s situation
• Look for the exceptions

Imagineering is part of a solution focused approach and not American/Western Europeen approach.

Question 11

Give some highlights from William’s story?

Answer 11

After returning from war in Israel, William’s drinking escalated. He was ordered from his job to go into an inpatient program for addiction. He was diagnosed with alcoholism and PTSD. After this, William kept sober for five years. He jogged a lot and kept his mind on his job and family. After an argument with his wife he stayed a night in a hotel and drank again. His pastor referred him to the counselor. The counselor focused on the scripture in Romans 8:28 (We know that in all things God works for the good…)and that this scripture could come alive like a miracle in his life. They unpacked how this would play out in his life (more peace, better relationship and communication with wife). This gave William more hope for the future.

Question 12

Give some highlights from Ernie’s story?

Answer 12

Ernie came to the corps for the first time. He had not shaved or showered for a while according to his appearance. He raised his hands when the C.O. asked if anyone wanted prayer. He talked to the counselor after the corps and they met for conversations. Ernie was a Vietnam Veteran and currently homeless and unemployed, living in his car. He is not using drugs, just “unlucky” as he says himself. As he was talking to the counselor he heard voices and seemed anxious. He wanted to work and not receive help. Therefore, the corps gave him small jobs and put him into a room at a motel.

Question 13

Kollar’s approach is people get _______ in life?
How does this relate to root causes, to sin, to one’s approach in counselling, to what to say to the counselee and where to focus?

Answer 13

People get STUCK in life and certain problem areas. People often look to their past or to their sin to find solutions to their problems. However, in Christian theology the solution is rather found when you turn away from sin to God’s grace, being thankful for forgiveness, and maturing within God’s grace in a constructive way (Kollar p. 38).

What do say to the counselee?
What has worked in the past and try to repeat that, instead of focusing on the problem. Try to focus and create solutions.

Question 14

Know Erikson’s early stages?

Answer 14

The 8 early stages of Erikson is, (1-4 is most important):

1. Trust - Mistrust
2. Autonomy - Doubt
3. Initiative - Guilt
4. Industry - Inferiority
5. Identity - Role confusion
6. Intimacy - Isolation
7. Generative - Stagnation
8. Integrity - Despair

Question 15

How does Erikson’s early stages relate to counseling process?

Answer 15

Kollar says…. Page 49:

All human personality development begins with God’s intention. Psychology and anthropology must be informed by theology. God has specific sovereign plan for each of us. God’s intention for us becomes the formative truth regarding personality development, not primarily our understanding and perception of ourselves.

Question 16

Explain and give example (William) of “God is already active in the counselee”. #1

Answer 16

We should look for clues of what God is already doing, for example grace events, strengths or exceptions of the problem.

Example: William had a near death experience in Israel, but he is still alive.

Question 17

Explain and give example (William) of: “Complex problems do not demand complex solutions” #2

Answer 17

Look for clues in how to get the counselee “unstuck”. You don’t need to know what the problem is. Which solutions are making a difference and helping?

Example: William went jogging and kept his mind on his job and family to fight Alcoholism and PTSD.

Question 18

Explain and give example (William) of: “ Finding Exceptions helps create solutions” #3

Answer 18

There are exceptions to all problems, and these exceptions can be part of the solution. Clarify the exceptions and make them the initial goal of the counseling.

Example: William kept sober for five years after his first program His marriage improved, with some occasional altercations.

Question 19

Explain and give example (William) of: ‘The counselee is always changing” #4

Answer 19

Small change leads to bigger change. It is always helpful to think about when the change will occur instead of whether the change will occur.

Example: William had a big change in his life when he went to the motel and started to drink again.
Positive change: William went from saying he was a minus 1 to believing he could be a 5, just in one session.

Question 20

Explain and give example (William) of: “ The counselee is the expert and defines goals” #5

Answer 20

The counselee is more likely to succeed if when he/she works together with the counselor to chose goals.

Example: When the counselor asked William how a miracle would look like he said that he would probably communicate better with his wife.

Question 21

Explain and give example (William) of: “Solutions are cocreated” #6

Answer 21

We each are creating our reality, which in turn takes hold of who we are. God, the counselor and the counselee are working together to create a reality which there is an opportunity for positive change.

Example: The discussion about the Scripture verse/ “miracle”, when William and the counselor together unpack how this would look like. For example he would treat people around him with more respect and that will make him feel more of God’s peace.

Question 22

Explain and give example (William) of: “The counselee is not the problem, the problem is” #7

Answer 22

Problems occur in setting of human interaction, and usually, just happen. It is more helpful to focus on what gets in the way of the solution.

Example: William looked at himself as an alcoholic, even after 5 year sober.

Question 23

Explain and give example (William) of: “The counselee is not the problem, the problem is” #7

Answer 23

Problems occur in setting of human interaction, and usually, just happen. It is more helpful to focus on what gets in the way of the solution.

Example: William looked at himself as an alcoholic, even after 5 year sober.

Question 24

Explain and give example (William) of: “ The counseling relationship is positional. #8

Answer 24

There are 3 different positions as a conselee: Willing position, attending position and blaming position.
We want people to be willing, so they have a clear sense of the problem and are willing to work on the problem.

Example: William said “ if only I could get some help”
- he is willing.

Question 25

Explain and give example (William) of: If it is not broken, don’t fix it. . #9.

Answer 25

Do more of what works, and if it is not working, do something different.

William: He needs to do less arguing with his wife and drinking, he needs to do more jogging and keep his mind on his job and family.

Question 26

Are you stressed…?

Breath…….

Answer 26

One for the Father
One for the Son
One for the Holy Ghost

Amen.

Peace