The value of social constructionism for the counseling profession

Stuck with a difficult assignment? No time to get your paper done? Feeling confused? If you’re looking for reliable and timely help for assignments, you’ve come to the right place. We promise 100% original, plagiarism-free papers custom-written for you. Yes, we write every assignment from scratch and it’s solely custom-made for you.


Order a Similar Paper Order a Different Paper

The value of social constructionism for the counseling profession

Case Study: Tina

Tina is a 17-year-old Navajo female who is brought into a counselor’s office for symptoms of depression; her family has noticed that she is more withdrawn than usual and she is often observed crying and talking to herself. Through the intake interview, the counselor learns that Tina hears voices daily that command her to perform certain acts of hygiene (showering, combing her hair, etc.). She further reveals that she believes these voices to be the result of witchcraft that her boyfriend is using to control her. Tina also states that she has used methamphetamines heavily for the past several months. She and her mother ask the counselor to work with Tina for the depression, but claim that they wish to see a medicine man for hearing voices.

Where does the counselor begin with this client? Tina is clearly demonstrating symptoms of psychoses, yet it is difficult to determine what has caused them. Is she experiencing a severe depressive episode with psychotic features? Have the voices been induced by excessive drug use? Alternatively, should the counselor take into account the cultural acceptance of witchcraft and let the medicine man exclusively treat Tina? This case study is but one example of the way different cultures deviate in concept of mental illness as it presents itself in the counselor’s office.

Viewing clients as devoid of their cultural backgrounds because notions of health and wellness differ greatly by who is defining them are unethical and unwise. In order to be as receptive as possible to a client’s position, counselors must constantly deconstruct and be aware of their own beliefs regarding psychopathology. This process of exploring a belief system has been given many names, one of which is social constructionism (Lemma, 2011).

Social constructionism is the concept that reality is formed and defined by the individual experience of it; the perceptions of any given society are constantly in flux as trends and knowledge shifts. As such, the concept of psychology changes to meet the needs of each given culture. Ruder & Guterman (2007) state that “social constructionism is, itself, a social construction that is always changing and subject to reconstruction” (p. 387).

 

References

Rudes, J. & Guterman, J. (2007). The value of social constructionism for the counseling profession: A reply to Hansen. Journal of Counseling & Development,85(4), 387-392

 

 

© 2016. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

© 2015. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved.

Writerbay.net

We’ve proficient writers who can handle both short and long papers, be they academic or non-academic papers, on topics ranging from soup to nuts (both literally and as the saying goes, if you know what we mean). We know how much you care about your grades and academic success. That's why we ensure the highest quality for your assignment. We're ready to help you even in the most critical situation. We're the perfect solution for all your writing needs.

Get a 15% discount on your order using the following coupon code SAVE15


Order a Similar Paper Order a Different Paper