Foundations of Counseling Discussion

As the counselor assigned to this client, I would like to present this case to the team for discussion. My initial counseling plan would be to use Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) to assist this client effectively. CPT is a type of therapy that has been shown to be effective in treating PTSD by helping individuals to change the way they think about and react to traumatic events.

To utilize CPT, I would work with the client to identify and challenge the thoughts and beliefs that are contributing to their PTSD symptoms. This would involve helping the client to identify and reframe any negative thoughts or beliefs that are contributing to their distress. I would also help the client to develop coping strategies for dealing with their flashbacks and other symptoms.

Two benefits of CPT are that it is a relatively short-term therapy (typically lasting 12 sessions), and it has been shown to be effective in reducing PTSD symptoms. One drawback of CPT is that it can be emotionally challenging for the client, as they may need to confront difficult thoughts and memories.

To convince the client to try therapy, I would emphasize the benefits of treatment and provide them with information about the effectiveness of CPT. I would also work to build a therapeutic alliance with the client by being empathetic, non-judgmental, and supportive.

One potential transference issue is that the client may have difficulty trusting authority figures due to their past experiences in the military and with their abusive father. This could potentially impact the therapeutic relationship, as the client may struggle to trust me as their counselor.

To guard against potential projective identification, I would work to maintain clear boundaries with the client and ensure that I am not overly influenced by their feelings or experiences. I would also engage in regular supervision to discuss any issues that arise in the therapeutic relationship.

If counter-transference issues do arise, I would work to recognize them and address them in supervision. One potential counter-transference issue is that I may feel frustrated or overwhelmed by the client’s reluctance to engage in therapy. If this occurs, I would work to explore these feelings and find ways to remain supportive and non-judgmental with the client.

In discussing this case with the team, I think it’s positive that the client has sought out counseling and is willing to engage in treatment. Additionally, CPT is a well-established treatment for PTSD that has been shown to be effective in many cases. Some potential challenges that we may face in working with this client include their difficulty with trusting authority figures and their reluctance to identify as mentally ill. We may need to work to build trust with the client and emphasize the positive aspects of seeking treatment for PTSD. Additionally, we may need to be flexible in our approach and adapt our counseling style to best meet the client’s needs.