Monday, 14 October 2013

Disadvantages of Eclectic Counseling

Disadvantages of Eclectic Counseling

1) Some people are of the view that eclectic counseling is vague, opportunistic and superficial.

2) Both directive and non-directive counseling cannot be mixed together.

3) In this, the question arises how much freedom should be given to the client? For this there is non-definite rule.


4) The problem with an eclectic orientation is that counselors often do more harm than good if they have little or no understanding about what is helping the client.

Characteristic of Eclectic Counseling

Characteristic of Eclectic Counseling
 
1) In this, objective and coordinating methods are used.

2) In the beginning of counseling, client-active methods are used and the counselor remains passive.

3) In this, more importance is assigned to the job efficiency and treatment.

4) In this, the principle of low expenditure is emphasized.

5) In such counseling, for the use of all the methods and techniques, the professional efficiency and skill of the counselor are must.

6) Keeping in mind the need of the client, it is decided whether directive method or non-directive methods should be used.

7) Making an opportunity available to the client is insisted so that he may find himself the solution of the problem.

Assumptions of Eclectic Counseling

Assumptions of Eclectic Counseling

1) In general, passive methods should be used whenever possible.

2) Active methods may be used with specific indications.

3) In the early stages when the client is telling his story, passive techniques are usually the methods of choice. This permits emotional release.

4) Until simple methods have failed, complicated methods should not be attempted.

5) All counseling should be client centered.

6) Every client should be given an opportunity to resolve his problems indirectly. Inability of the client to progress through therapy as using passive methods alone is an indication for utilizing more directive methods.

7) Directive methods are usually indicated in situational mal adjustment where a solution cannot be achieved without co-operation from other persons.

Steps in Eclectic counseling

Steps in Eclectic counseling

1) Diagnosis of the cause.

2) Analysis of the problem.

3) Preparation of a tentative plan for modifying factors.

4) Securing effective conditions for counseling.

5) Interviewing and stimulating the client to develop his own resources and to assume its responsibility for trying new modes of adjustment.

6) Proper handling of any related problems which may contribute to adjustment.

Eclectic Approach to Counseling

Eclectic Approach to Counseling

An eclectic counseling is the process of selecting what is applicable to the client from a wide range of theories, methods and practices. An eclectic counselor is one who will select what is applicable to the client from a wide range of theories, methods and practices. Eclectic counseling enhances clients possibilities for greater insights and positive change.

Eclectic counseling is defined as the synthesis and combination of directive and non-directive counseling. It represents a middle status between the two extremes represented by the ‘non-directive’ technique on one hand and the ‘directive’ technique on the other.
In eclectic counseling, the counselor is neither too active as in the directive counseling nor too passive as in the non-directive counseling. He just follows the middle path between these two.

In eclectic counseling, the needs of a person and his personality are studied by the counselor. After this the counselor selects those techniques, which will be useful for the person. The main techniques used are reassurance giving information, case history, testing etc.


In eclectic counseling the counselor first takes into consideration the personality and need of the counselee. He selects the directive or non-directive technique that seems to serve the purpose best. The counselor may start with the directive technique. When the situation demands, he may switch over to the non-directive counseling and vice-versa. An attempt is made to adjust the technique to the requirements of the situation and the individual.

Friday, 11 October 2013

Drink Warm Lemon Water in the Morning

10 Reasons Why You Should Drink Warm Lemon Water in the Morning

Instead of getting a cup of coffee, why not replace it with a warm water lemon drink!? Below are the good factors to consider.

1. Boosts your immune system: Lemons are high in vitamin C, which is great for fighting colds. They’re high in potassium, which stimulates brain and nerve function. Potassium also helps control blood pressure.

2. Balances pH: Drink lemon water every day and you’ll reduce your body’s overall acidity. Lemon is one of the most alkaline foods around. Yes, lemon has citric acid but it does not create acidity in the body once metabolized.

3. Helps with weight loss: Lemons are high in pectin fiber, which helps fight hunger cravings. It also has been shown that people who maintain a more alkaline diet lose weight faster.

4. Aids digestion: Lemon juice helps flush out unwanted materials. It encourages the liver to produce bile which is an acid that required for digestion. Efficient digestion reduces heartburn and constipation.

5. Is a diuretic: Lemons increase the rate of urination in the body, which helps purify it. Toxins are, therefore, released at a faster rate which helps keep your urinary tract healthy.

6. Clears skin: The vitamin C component helps decrease wrinkles and blemishes. Lemon water purges toxins from the blood which helps keep skin clear as well. It can actually be applied directly to scars to help reduce their appearance.

7. Freshens breath: Not only this, but it can help relieve tooth pain and gingivitis. The citric acid can erode tooth enamel, so you should monitor this.

8. Relieves respiratory problems: Warm lemon water helps get rid of chest infections and halt those pesky coughs. It’s thought to be helpful to people with asthma and allergies too.

9. Keeps you zen: Vitamin C is one of the first things depleted when you subject your mind and body to stress. As mentioned previously, lemons are chock full of vitamin C.

10. Helps kick the coffee habit: After taking a glass of warm lemon water, most people suggests of less craving for coffee in the morning.

Why it has to be warm water not cold? Cold water likely provides a shock or stress factor to the body. It takes energy for your body to process cold water.

The recipe is really simple - a cup of warm water (not hot) and the juice from half of a lemon.


World Mental Health Day 
- 10th October 2013 - of Ernakulam Psychiatric Society

The Theme: Mental Health and Older Adults









Wednesday, 13 March 2013

Stress and Pregnancy


Stress and Pregnancy

Stress is very much a part of most people's lives.

Stress can be encountered in everyday hassles like bills to pay, long queues or traffic or poor time management.

Stress during pregnancy can be chronic as in situations of domestic abuse. 

Stress during pregnancy can be acute as in the death of a loved one. 

Stress during pregnancy can lead to harmful tendencies such as drinking. 

Too much stress during pregnancy leads to mental and physical ailments.

Stressed out people often get angry quickly and fall sick easily.

Often we can't tell if we are suffering from stress. The way you live and your reactions to everyday situations can affect your stress level. Do you sleep well or do you worry about your work and family, health, money and other everyday concerns. If yes you could be stressed.

The signs

• Reduced concentration or focus
• Irritation or feeling hassled easily
• Disturbed eating patterns i.e. loss of appetite or binging 

• Insomnia and fatigue
• Feeling anxious all the time
• Withdrawal
• Body aches and headaches
• Inability to relax
• High blood pressure

The Relax Technique

Once a day for 10 minutes or more, focus on relaxation. Lie back in a chair or on your side on the bed with pillows supporting your neck and shoulders. Take slow deep breaths. 

Think about something pleasant with your eyes shut. Block out your surroundings, the world at large and just focus on pleasantries or your baby. Contract and relax every part of your body.

Focus on how your body feels. Start with your toes first; squeeze your toes and then let go. Feel the tension seep out of your body. Do the same with your calves, thighs, pelvic floor, buttocks and so on until you reach your forehead. Stay in this state, ensuring all your muscles are relaxed and at the same time stay focused on your imagined thought. The aim is to prevent worrying thoughts from entering your mind. Surrender yourself to tranquility.
It may not come easily but learning to relax is beneficial and it is something that requires practice and dedication. Make it a habit to spend quiet time away from everything else.

Sunday, 24 February 2013

Circumstance - the Director

Always share your difficulties with a person you trust - who could keep the confidentiality and have a positive attitude - would lead you how to overcome it and indirectly filled you with positive energy.

Our personality in genetic, but the circumstance have the role of a Director.

So be a counsellor to self and direct the thoughts for a good Director. 

Saturday, 27 October 2012

Individual Therapy --Counseling


Individual Therapy


Therapy/ Counseling

Therapy is intended to help people make changes. These changes may involve thinking differently, feeling differently, and/or acting differently. Therapy is intended to be a process in which one moves along in their personal development, enhances their relationships with others, and helps them adjust to and face life’s challenges.

How therapy is conducted is determined by the nature of the difficulty one is experiencing. It is also influenced by age and/or stage of development. 

While the particular approach in therapy will be influenced by the special needs of the individual child, adolescent, or adult it is managed in a way which uses well-accepted principles to guide the process of change.  therapist must have the skill to assist her clients' in addressing their challenges and help clients move along toward their personal goals

Wednesday, 24 October 2012

How long Therapy take


How long does therapy take?

The length of your therapy depends on your therapeutic goals. In general, the more specific your goals are, the less time the therapy takes. For example, if you seek therapy because you have a specific phobia, such as flying, or test taking, therapy tends to last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.

On the other hand, long-term therapy is better suited to addressing more subtle emotional issues, such as long standing dissatisfaction with different areas of your life. Long-term therapy goes deeper into the origins of unwanted feelings and behaviors, and can help you to change undesirable patterns of thinking, feeling and acting. Long-term therapy is less structured than short-term, and it can be very effective in alleviating emotional distress and promoting change.

How Psychotherapy Help


How does psychotherapy help?

Sometimes people who are trying as hard as they can to get through a rough time find that they can’t cope by themselves. They may need help sorting out their feelings, finding solutions to their problems, or just feeling better. That’s when therapy can help.

Therapy is a collaborative effort in which a client(s) and therapist join forces to resolve the persistent problems and underlying patterns of behavior that are interfering with a more satisfying life. Through therapy, people learn to recognize and change their patterns of behavior, thinking, feeling which are related to current life difficulties.

Therapy


What is therapy?

The word "therapy" is most often used to mean psychotherapy - the psychological treatment of emotional and behavioral problems. Psychotherapy looks like talking - but it is really treatment. It's a process that is a lot like learning. Through therapy, people learn about themselves. They discover ways to overcome troubling feelings or behaviors, develop inner strengths or skills, or make changes in themselves or their situations.

A psychotherapist, or therapist, is a person who has been trained to help people work through their emotional problems. Psychologists, psychiatrists, counselors, and social workers are the titles of some of the licensed professionals who work as therapists.

Most therapy is a combination of building trust, talking and listening, and receiving support and guidance. Through talking, listening and observing, a therapist can evaluate the problem that needs attention. It is the therapist's job to help a person figure out what's been making him or her so unhappy, and how to change that.

Sunday, 20 May 2012

Group Games -6


DYNAMIC GAMES – Group Games


Human machine:

Ask each of the groups to present a machine how it is assembled or how it works etc.

The group comes and performs the human machine.

Let others guess what the machine is.

Tell the name of it, only if they cannot guess.

…e.g. Motor cycle, jeep, rice mill, tractor, printing press, cooker, grinder...

Group Games -5


DYNAMIC GAMES – Group Games


Creativity:

Participants are divided into small groups of 4.

Each group is given a set of things.

………………………e.g. an apple, matches, toothpicks, paper clips, rubber bands, cardboard, etc...

Scissors and sketch pens can be made available.

The groups are given 20 minutes to create some object that would be useful in any time.

They are limited in their creation to the use of these items supplied
………..but they do have to use all of them.

If should be explained that created items will be judged on imagination of purpose and efficiency of design.

At the end of 20 or 30 minutes of creativity each group through a representative, must verbally 'sell' the idea to the groups.

Prizes are awarded to the most creative group with a beautiful explanation.

Group Games -4


DYNAMIC GAMES – Group Games

Blowing the feather:

Divide your guests into teams of equal number.

Give each team a small feather.

As the game gets under way, each team tosses its feather into the air
………………and endeavors to keep it there, by blowing.

Each contestant must keep its feather in the air longest is the winner and the windiest.

Group Games -3


DYNAMIC GAMES – Group Games



Blowing of the T.T. ball:

 Either 2 or 2 teams are formed.

A TT ball is placed between them on a table or on the ground.

At a given signal they have to blow the ball to their opposite sides respectively, ............while their hands being held behind.

The team which succeeds in blowing is the winner.