Psy 490 - Humanistic Psychosocial Rehabilitation

Humanistic Psychosocial Rehabilitation

PSY 490

August, 2013

Humanistic Psychosocial Rehabilitation

The humanistic approach for psychosocial rehabilitation helps children overcome maladaptive behaviors. A humanistic approach to treatment encompasses the therapist-client relationship, the individual's role in behavior, and self-awareness necessary to alter behavior in children suffering from emotional disturbances. The following is a presentation of solutions, according to the humanistic approach by applying humanistic strategies to help with social skills, family relationships, academic difficulties, peer interactions, and aggression. Additionally, the aim is to solve the issues related to behavior and mental processes in these children from a humanistic and holistic perspective.

Humanistic Psychosocial Rehabilitation

In the past the humanist culture and the scientist culture held different opinions concerning characteristics, intuition, values, and behaviors. Current research is attempting to explain scientifically how an individual develops natural characteristics, such as strengths and how to apply and nurture natural strengths to improve way of life (Bacon, 2005). The knowledge from working with children who have behavioral problems show positive results when using positive rehabilitation forms of treatment. Bacon (2005) further explains how parts of the self may not develop because of spending time and energy on rehabilitation of the strengths. The ability to measure human characteristics is the usual argument against humanistic psychology because of possible bias.

Overlooking the solving of the psychological issue of humanistic psychology occurs but there is still a need for discussion. Over the past few decades, the view of humanistic psychology has been as too biased; the value of individual background makes it problematic to measure and study humanistic development. Another major psychological issue is that observations are mythical, which makes it difficult to receive accurate information. To solve the psychological issues presented in the humanistic psychology it is important to research and review the strengths of humanistic psychology. Children suffering from emotional disturbances can only benefit from humanistic psychology through the theories strong points.

The psychosocial aspects of rehabilitation using the humanistic approach involve treatments using a combination of positive approaches and scientific methods. The use of humanistic therapy in rehabilitation involves the total self by using personal opinions, attitudes, and characteristics, along with many other behaviors. The psychosocial rehabilitation or PSR is a method of treatment for people with a wide variety of chronic disorders (Links, Kirkpatrick, & Whelton, 1994). The interaction of treatment methods involving psychiatric and rehabilitation approaches is a critical step in the care of individuals with chronic psychiatric disorders (Links et al., 1994).

Application of Behavioral, Cognitive, and Socialization Strategies

To help a child to refrain from maladaptive behaviors that experience emotional disturbances psychologists practicing from a humanistic approach use several strategies. These strategies aim to improve family relationships, peer interactions, and social skills. Most strategies in humanistic counseling aim to improve self-awareness, as this approach credits inner thoughts and feelings as motivations for behavior (Murdock & Wang, 2008).

One such strategy, often referred to as the empty chair dialogue, encourages the client to imagine an important family member, friend, or significant figure in an empty chair (Murdock & Wang, 2008). The therapist encourages the client to talk to this metaphoric figure about his or her inner feelings and needs (Murdock & Wang, 2008). A variant aspect of the empty chair dialogue uses a different technique to help clients.

The top dog/underdog dialogue metaphorically places the client's parental side, or dominant side, in the chair and guides a discussion between the parental, controlling side, and the submissive, weaker side (Murdock & Wang, 2008). The therapist directs the discussion toward the present, forgoing experiences, and feelings to help the client strengthen communication skills and responsibility for one's actions (Murdock & Wang, 2008). Both the empty chair and top dog/underdog strategies are direct and confrontational; however, other humanistic strategies explore experiences to improve relationships, social

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