EXAM 3: Class #201 Theories of Counseling: NLP and REALITY THERAPY

At Cause Operating from an internal locus of Control; NLP states that no two people will ever perceive the world in the same way, perception is projection, and we need to assist them to put themselves at cause. (It encompasses the three most influential components involved in producing human experience: neurology, language and programming. The neurological system regulates how our bodies function, language determines how we interface and communicate with other people and our programming determines the kinds of models of the world we create. Neuro-Linguistic Programming describes the fundamental dynamics between mind (neuro) and language (linguistic) and how their interplay effects our body and behavior (programming).)

Representational system defines the process of taking in internal and external information (pictures, sounds, feelings) as a way of “representing” and defining the world. In NLP, these representational systems are often referred to as primary modalities. For example, people who rely on visual modality may run a movie in their head when they try to process information, an auditory individual may replay information like a tape recorder, and a kinesthetic individual may attach a body sensation to a particular experience. When people process external stimuli, they may use several different representational systems to obtain internal recognition; the favored system is the “lead system.” When accessing information, a person may begin with the visual, auditory, or kinesthetic representational system.

Resistance is not a client problem; it is a counselor problem. Not all individuals communicate or learn in the same manner, so the counselor has to determine the clients modality and find and intervention the client can process.

Refers to one of the five senses; each of the modalities also have subsets, such as with auditory, which includes tone, pitch, rate, volume. NLP studies the Audio, Visual, and Kinesthetic modalities. People usually develop one of the three as their primary way of communicating, learning, and processing the external world, though it is important to remember that we use all three systems on some level. Everyone has the capacity to learn how to improve and develop under-utilized systems, though it rare for anyone not trained or educated to use all three primary systems equally.

The senses clients use to take in and process internal and external information as a way of “representing” and defining the world, i.e., the systems we use to experience our internal and external environments. The primary modalities are visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Most people have a main modality, but any information can be processed by any individual using any one of the modalities. NLP does not use the olfactory or gustatory modalities, and says we do not really use them to process information, though they may be used in anchoring.

Tools used by NLP counselor to duplicate a client’s behavior, working at unconscious level of awareness. Help to manage client’s behavior and interpretations of external stimuli. For example, the counselor may adopt a new posture or modulate her voice’s pitch or speed to calm a client. Pacing and leading are matching techniques.

1. Observing visual accessing cues (nonverbal communications) to formulate a hypothesis about how a client processes information and which representational system (modality) and lead system (primary modality) are preferred by client. After asking a question, counselor focuses on what a client does, not what she says. 2. Matching verbal and nonverbal behaviors using calibration, a process in which the counselor uses all three sensory modalities to be aware of external shifts in the client (postures, facial expressions, breathing rate, skin color, voice pitch and modulation). Calibration allows counselor to be in tune with internal changes in client’s and to predict the lead system the client is going to use and the behavior that will follow. The counselor then may physically match or mirror the client’s behavior. 3. Anchoring: the counselor intentionally sets up an external stimulus (such as a gesture), which will be paired with an internal response on the part of the client. Similar to calibrating. Any of the representational systems can be used. For example, the counselor may ask the client to go to a “safe spot” in her memory in order relax her sufficiently before addressing a concern. Anchors are easier to establish in the client’s primary modality. 4. Imprinting (AKA “cybernetic mechanism”): once the counselor has a clear understanding of the client’s self desires, she may implant a goal in the client’s mind at an unconscious level of awareness. Example in book is suggesting that a client clearly picture herself having a happy life ten times a day. 5. Reframing: Client learns to recognize negative thoughts and statements and replace them with positive ones. Works on same premise as anchoring. 6. Dilt’s formula for change: Present State + Resources = Desired State. Once the counselor has helped the client self-evaluate the present state and formulate a desired outcome, the client and counselor work together to explore client’s strengths and resources and what must be learned to achieve desired emotional state. Also explores limiting beliefs that may hinder client’s progress (“interferences”). Question: “What will you have to give up to achieve the desired state?” (Secondary gains are benefits clients get from undesirable behaviors). Client is “at cause,” i.e., the only one who can make the choice to stop interfering behaviors. 7. Conscious/Unconscious: People’s perception of the world is what they believe is happening at any one time at a conscious level, filtered through unique sensory systems. No two people perceive the world in the same way. Information about the world (all external events) are first processed in the brain at an unconscious level, then internalized at a conscious level. NLP aims to help clients process and adjust their interpretations of the external world.

Developed by the psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser in 1965. Reality therapy is based on choice theory (originally called control theory), widely applied in education.

1. the need is often expressed through competition, it can be expressed in the achievement of something that gives us a sense of self worth-wanting power for the sake of having power is human nature. It is an end unto itselfLove & Belonging (this includes groups as well as families or loved ones)
1. humans are to be a part of society, to receive and give love and to belong-it is an asset to ask clients how they are fulfilling their needs in these settings
• Freedom (includes independence, autonomy, your own 'space').
1. a need for freedom provides us with the opportunity to make choices in our lives that will allow us to fulfill our needs. The need for freedom is so important that entire countries go to war over it
• Fun (includes pleasure and enjoyment).
1. it is through laughing and having fun that children learn best, this need for fun continues throughout adult life
• Survival (includes nourishment, shelter, sex).
1. This is basic need controlled by the old brain, which carries out the task of keeping our body functioning and healthy (breathing, sweating, digesting), sometimes the old brain cannot function by itself and needs help from the new brain-the old brain sends a message to our new brain that recognizes thirst.
One of the core principles of Reality Therapy is that, whether we are aware of it or not, we are all the time acting to meet these needs.

a. Need-fulfilling b. Simplec. Realistic and attainabled. Activee. Specificf. Repetitiveg. Immediateh. Process-centered

Paradox is a technique that may be sued in conjunction with the other techniques of reality therapy, but must be used carefully and cautiously. Paradox statements should never be used with: Sociopathic clients Paranoid clients With clients who exhibit destructive behaviors During acute crisis With families who exhibit high levels of chaos and dysfunction (Not mentioned in book, but don’t use paradox with substance abusers, many of whom suffer from anti-social disorders)

Reality therapy is more directive; the therapist guides the conversation, tries to bring it back to the issue at hand and possible actions the client can take.

Adlerian therapy is concerned with the family structure and the individual’s place in it, and asks how the client is shaped by heredity and environment. Reality therapy is more present-oriented, and asks how the client can fulfill the five needs (defined by Glasser) without infringing on the needs/wants of others. Adler focuses on the client in relation to the family. Reality Therapy focuses on the client.