Life-space Drawings

I've been thinking a lot about the activity we did in Grant's class last week.I thought it would be a really useful tool to get dialogue going and thought that it could be used in a variety of other situations where communication was difficult or had broken down. I could see it being helpful for parents/children, or couples for example. As far as my own life-space drawing, it confirmed thoughts about people that had been there for some time, and finally acknowleding them on the page, knowing that I did not have to tell anyone else about them was quite powerful and liberating. I had been given the freedom to symbolise these thoughts, they weren't just in my head any more. I thought it was a good way of recognising issues that were going on right at that moment in time-if I had been asked to do it the week before, I think some things might have been different. I did find the second phase a bit more difficult in that I'm not really keen on fixed timescales, and my first reaction was that three years was just too far away for me to think about. However, even without putting a timescale on it, I think it really helped me to focus on some thoughts and crystallise ideas and it did give me hope that I would achieve some of the aspirations I had symbolised- because they were written down they became more tangible. Again, aas with most things, people will react differently to activities like these, some will like it and others won't. It's about being open-minded and trying new things out if we get the opportunity to do so.

Self-characterisation

I felt really comfortable doing what we did in class today with self-characterisation. It got us all talking to each other in a meaningful way. What was really good about it was the fact that what we had written gave us the topics to talk about-there were no set questions, and everybody's conversation was different to the next person's. Writing about yourself in the third person gives a sense of freedom, I think it takes the pressure off you in some way. I was surprised to find that when I was thinking about jobs, I included tour guide-something that I've always liked the idea of, but have never done. It made me think that perhaps I still had an inclination to do it, that I hadn't completely ruled out the idea. The exercise made me realise that it would be a very useful tool to use with people needing guidance, especially for those who find it difficult to talk about themselves, or about their feelings in a face to face situation. It could be prepared beforehand. I have not used the word 'client' here as I think I'm going off the word in relation to those needing advice and guidance and help in general. I think it implies a certain detachment, and a distance between the counsellor and the other person. In the article we read by Jussi Onnismaa, he talks at one point about the relationship between 'the counsellor and help-seeker'-I like that. Just as the word 'challenging' implies confrontation, 'client' seems to be a bit clinical. Anyway, I really just wanted to say that I would certainly like to try the self-characterisation myself in the future.

Kelly's Theory and Self-characterisation

Today's lecture was interesting and I really liked the examples of self-characterisation we were given. I think this technique would enable some people to put into words on paper something that they might not want to articulate for fear of sounding silly or embarrassed. Some people feel overwhelmed and confused by the vast amount of information available to them and don't know where to begin when they are at the point of seeking advice. I think that when the client and therapist work on the second version of the script together this could really help clients visualise an alternative to the situation they are presently in. When it came to the repertory grid however, I was a bit lost to say the least - I'm just not good with stats/grids etc. I think it is a good way though of helping clients to reflect on and explore their own contructs. Any techniques that can enrich the way we offer guidance are worth considering.

Existentialism is a Humanism

I've been reading the article by Sartre and after going over some of it several times, it does make some sense. When he says 'there is no reality except in action' and 'Man is nothing else but what he purposes, he exists in so far as he realises himself, he is therefore nothing else but the sum of his actions' I can see that yes, basically that is true. However, people's actions can be constrained by factors outwith their control, sometimes people are forced into doing something they don't want to do, or do things because there is no other option open to them, or do things as a result of experiences they have had. I do not entirely agree that 'from the moment that he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does'. As careers advisers then it is our job to help people to see that they do have choices, and that whatever situation they are in at any given time can be altered.

Carl Rogers and Person Centred Counselling

I agree that the core conditions for counselling of empathy, acceptance and genuineness as Carl Rogers advocates should be at the heart of the work that we do as career advisers, but when clients come to see an adviser they sometimes want more than just a positive feeling about themselves when they leave. In some cases, where people are totally bewildered or unsure of the next steps to take to move forward, I believe that constructive advice is needed. It's a very complex issue, because on the one hand you do want to empower the individual to go and take steps themselves. Some people will respond to that approach, but others are looking for more than the exploration of their likes and dislikes etc. Everyone is different and that's where the adviser has to adapt to each and every individual client. Rogers talks of 'knowing what it feels like to be her' and 'entering into her world of experience' - for me this is an idealistic but worthy endeavour, if it can be achieved. However, we can never really know what it feels like to be in another person's world - however hard we try. We can only imagine as best we can.

Ivan Illich and Disabling Professions

Having read Ivan Illich's article some time ago, I'm only now putting some thoughts on my blog. I found it really difficult to read first time over, and have tried to read it again on more than one occsion. It is an understatement to say that Illich really is anti the professions, but as I was reading I began to think that his dissatisfaction was much more deep than this and more wide ranging. His views on the consumer society that we live in today are evident. But, are we really so much in the grip of professionals? Do the professionals really, 'claim control over human needs'? I do agree as he says that, 'not only are helpful neighbours a vanising species, but so are liberal doctors who make housecalls'. However, without the medical profession, and the advances made within it, there would be a lot more suffering in the world. His article reminded me a bit of Nietzsche's about the madman in the marketplace, where nobody was listening to him. Are the professionals the 'mad' ones, are they gaining more and more power. Where is it all going to end? More questions than answers.........