I read an article that I want to share with you. I think that a good therapist should be open mind and willing to understand this article.
As a therapist, I feel my obligation is to teach my clients navigate the waters of maladaptive behaviour patterns for themselves; to facilitate discovery; to put my client in the drivers seat of his or her adaptive responses. For some, this means simply drawing attention to the maladaptive behaviour patterns which the client may be unaware of; for others, this means simply listening in a non judgmental, open and honest way (Young, 2013). As a therapist, I feel that my role is to challenge preconceived notions, and provide a safe space to provoke personal growth; for each client, this will look a little different, as there is no cookie cutter approach (Westbrook, Kennerley, and Kirk, 2012) .
In general, and to simplify a great deal, my role is to increase desired behaviour and reduce behaviours which interfere with the learning process. For some of my higher functioning kiddos, CBT seems like it might be just what the doctor ordered; what I love most about my current role, is that each of my clients is so incredibly different. There is an adage that says; when you meet a child with autism, you've met 1 child with autism. What this means, is that even sharing the same diagnosis does not mean any similarities between clients are indefinite.
I always say...I can build the road, but you have to be willing to drive.
**Westbrook, D., Kennerley, H., & Kirk, J. (2012). An introduction to cognitive behaviour therapy skills and applications (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.
**Young, M.E. (2013). Learning the art of helping: Building blocks and techniques. (5th ed.) Toronto, ON:Pearson.
As a therapist, I feel my obligation is to teach my clients navigate the waters of maladaptive behaviour patterns for themselves; to facilitate discovery; to put my client in the drivers seat of his or her adaptive responses. For some, this means simply drawing attention to the maladaptive behaviour patterns which the client may be unaware of; for others, this means simply listening in a non judgmental, open and honest way (Young, 2013). As a therapist, I feel that my role is to challenge preconceived notions, and provide a safe space to provoke personal growth; for each client, this will look a little different, as there is no cookie cutter approach (Westbrook, Kennerley, and Kirk, 2012) .
In general, and to simplify a great deal, my role is to increase desired behaviour and reduce behaviours which interfere with the learning process. For some of my higher functioning kiddos, CBT seems like it might be just what the doctor ordered; what I love most about my current role, is that each of my clients is so incredibly different. There is an adage that says; when you meet a child with autism, you've met 1 child with autism. What this means, is that even sharing the same diagnosis does not mean any similarities between clients are indefinite.
I always say...I can build the road, but you have to be willing to drive.
**Westbrook, D., Kennerley, H., & Kirk, J. (2012). An introduction to cognitive behaviour therapy skills and applications (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage.
**Young, M.E. (2013). Learning the art of helping: Building blocks and techniques. (5th ed.) Toronto, ON:Pearson.