Integrating Theories

Assignment 1: LASA 2: Integrating Theories

In this course, we have studied various approaches to
therapy and explored the utility of each orientation with reference to
the client. For this assignment, take the perspective of a therapist
working with clients. This will help you honestly assess your own
development and more objectively evaluate the advantages and
disadvantages of using an integrative approach to counseling. Answer
each of the following questions thoroughly and provide examples where
requested to substantiate your points.

1. Do you think therapists should focus on
   becoming an expert in one particular counseling approach or should
   they try to become proficient in more than one approach? Provide
   an explanation for your answer and illustrate them with examples.
2. Identify what the three most important
   characteristics of a successful counselor you consider to be. Describe
   how these characteristics can be developed or strengthened?
3. Identify and describe some of the
   characteristics (from question 2) that are best developed in the
   counseling process with clients? Support your points with examples?
   Identify and describe some areas of personal or professional
   development that would potentially be unethical for the counselor
   to develop in the counseling process with clients? Explain your
   rationale in detail and give examples.
4. What are some of your own personal
   motivations and characteristics that may help or hinder you as a
   counselor (identify at least two)?
5. What areas of your own personal and
   professional development need the most development before you will
   feel prepared to be an effective counselor (identify at least
   three)?
6. What are two advantages and two disadvantages
   of practicing within the framework of one specific theory as
   opposed to developing a more integrative approach consisting of
   several therapies? Give a detailed description and rationale for
   both sides.
7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of practicing within an integrated framework?
8. Explain at least two techniques you would use in
   your treatment and describe how you would integrate these techniques in
   a therapy session.

Your paper should be double-spaced and in 12 point, Times
New Roman font with normal one-inch margins, written in APA style, and
free of typographical and grammatical errors. It should include a title
page with a running head, an abstract and a reference page. The body of
the paper should be no less than 5 and no longer than 8 pages in length.
Submit your response to the M5: Assignment 1 Dropbox by Monday, March 6, 2017.

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria	Maximum Points
Explained whether it is preferable to have an expertise in one counseling approach vs. multiple approaches with supporting examples.	24
Described at least three important characteristics of a successful counselor with suggestions of how each could be developed?	32
Described at least one characteristic that could be developed in the counseling process with clients and at least one that would be potentially unethical to develop in therapy with clients with supporting examples for each.	40
Identifies at least two personal motivations and characteristics and explained benefit or hindrance for each.	24
Identified and explained at least three areas of personal or professional development for being an effective counselor.	24
Described advantages and disadvantages of practicing from one specific theory vs. developing a more integrative approach.	40
Described advantages/disadvantages of practicing from an integrative framework	24
Identified the therapeutic approaches student would use as a therapist and described the techniques that would be integrated as a treatment approach	28
Style (8 points): Tone, Audience, Word Choice Organization (16 points): Introduction, Transitions, Conclusion Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, Spelling, Sentence structure APA Elements (24 points): Attribution, Paraphrasing, Quotations	64
Total:	300

In this course, we have studied various approaches to
therapy and explored the utility of each orientation with reference to
the client. For this assignment, take the perspective of a therapist
working with clients. This will help you honestly assess your own
development and more objectively evaluate the advantages and
disadvantages of using an integrative approach to counseling. Answer
each of the following questions thoroughly and provide examples where
requested to substantiate your points.

1. Do you think therapists should focus on
   becoming an expert in one particular counseling approach or should
   they try to become proficient in more than one approach? Provide
   an explanation for your answer and illustrate them with examples.
2. Identify what the three most important
   characteristics of a successful counselor you consider to be. Describe
   how these characteristics can be developed or strengthened?
3. Identify and describe some of the
   characteristics (from question 2) that are best developed in the
   counseling process with clients? Support your points with examples?
   Identify and describe some areas of personal or professional
   development that would potentially be unethical for the counselor
   to develop in the counseling process with clients? Explain your
   rationale in detail and give examples.
4. What are some of your own personal
   motivations and characteristics that may help or hinder you as a
   counselor (identify at least two)?
5. What areas of your own personal and
   professional development need the most development before you will
   feel prepared to be an effective counselor (identify at least
   three)?
6. What are two advantages and two disadvantages
   of practicing within the framework of one specific theory as
   opposed to developing a more integrative approach consisting of
   several therapies? Give a detailed description and rationale for
   both sides.
7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of practicing within an integrated framework?
8. Explain at least two techniques you would use in
   your treatment and describe how you would integrate these techniques in
   a therapy session.

Your paper should be double-spaced and in 12 point, Times
New Roman font with normal one-inch margins, written in APA style, and
free of typographical and grammatical errors. It should include a title
page with a running head, an abstract and a reference page. The body of
the paper should be no less than 5 and no longer than 8 pages in length.
Submit your response to the M5: Assignment 1 Dropbox by Monday, March 6, 2017.

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria	Maximum Points
Explained whether it is preferable to have an expertise in one counseling approach vs. multiple approaches with supporting examples.	24
Described at least three important characteristics of a successful counselor with suggestions of how each could be developed?	32
Described at least one characteristic that could be developed in the counseling process with clients and at least one that would be potentially unethical to develop in therapy with clients with supporting examples for each.	40
Identifies at least two personal motivations and characteristics and explained benefit or hindrance for each.	24
Identified and explained at least three areas of personal or professional development for being an effective counselor.	24
Described advantages and disadvantages of practicing from one specific theory vs. developing a more integrative approach.	40
Described advantages/disadvantages of practicing from an integrative framework	24
Identified the therapeutic approaches student would use as a therapist and described the techniques that would be integrated as a treatment approach	28
Style (8 points): Tone, Audience, Word Choice Organization (16 points): Introduction, Transitions, Conclusion Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, Spelling, Sentence structure APA Elements (24 points): Attribution, Paraphrasing, Quotations	64
Total:	300