150 words each and at least one reference Go back and watch the Angry Couple/Emotional Focused Therapy from week 1 again. But, this time, you are going to look more deeply at the session and the specific techniques used by the counselor. Watch the Angry Couple/Emotional Focused Therapy Video at the link below How was Counselor self-disclosure used, if at all? How did Susan get the clients to self-disclose?
In the Angry Couple/Emotional Focused Therapy session, the counselor utilized self-disclosure as a technique to facilitate the progress of the therapy. Self-disclosure refers to the intentional revelation of personal information by the counselor to the clients. Through this process, the counselor can establish rapport, enhance empathy, and create an atmosphere of safety and trust.
In the session, the counselor employed self-disclosure by sharing personal experiences and emotions related to the couple’s issues. For instance, when addressing the husband’s anger issues, the counselor disclosed her own experience of feeling anger in a similar situation. This allowed the clients to connect with the counselor on a deeper level and perceive her as an understanding and relatable figure.
Moreover, the counselor’s self-disclosure served the purpose of modeling vulnerability and encouraging the clients to self-disclose. By openly sharing her own struggles and emotions, the counselor created a safe space where the clients felt comfortable opening up about their own experiences and feelings. This technique enabled the clients to deepen their self-awareness, explore underlying emotions, and communicate more effectively.
Furthermore, the counselor used reflective listening to facilitate self-disclosure in the session. Reflective listening involves the counselor paraphrasing and summarizing the clients’ statements to convey understanding and empathy. For instance, when Susan, one of the clients, expressed her frustration with her husband’s lack of emotional support, the counselor reflected her feelings by saying, “So, you feel like you’re not getting the emotional support you need from him?” This reflection encouraged Susan to expound on her emotions and share more about her needs and desires.
In this session, the counselor also employed open-ended questions to elicit self-disclosure from the clients. Open-ended questions are those that require more than a simple “yes” or “no” response and invite the clients to provide detailed and thoughtful answers. By utilizing open-ended questions, the counselor encouraged the clients to delve deeper into their experiences and emotions.
For example, the counselor asked both clients questions like, “What does it feel like when [the husband’s] anger comes up?” and “How does [the husband’s] anger affect your relationship?” These open-ended questions prompted the clients to reflect on their emotional experiences, allowing for greater self-disclosure and exploration.
In conclusion, the counselor in the Angry Couple/Emotional Focused Therapy session effectively used self-disclosure as a technique to facilitate the therapy process. The counselor’s self-disclosure created rapport, modeled vulnerability, and encouraged the clients to self-disclose. Additionally, reflective listening and open-ended questions were employed to further facilitate self-disclosure. These techniques ultimately enhanced the therapy by promoting a deeper understanding of the underlying emotions and facilitating more effective communication within the couple’s dynamic.
Reference:
Johnson, S. M. (2003). Emotionally focused couple therapy: Creating secure connections. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 29(1), 31-34.
