Bibliotherapy technique

Bibliotherapy takes place when a client can relate to a character in a book, movie, play, etc. The client and the character have a similar issue and the client is able to learn how to solve this problem indirectly by watching it unfold in the book or film. The answer may not be exactly straightforward, but it could provide the client with alternate directions and other options. The four stages to take when implementing this technique are identification, selection, presentation, and follow-up. Counselors may encourage using a journal so the client can take notes as they read the book. Some of the variations include interactive bibliotherapy, clinical bibliotherapy, and cognitive bibliotherapy. There are a variety of issues as to why counselors may recommend this technique, such as self-destructive behaviors and relationships issues. I think this is a unique technique and can be effective if applied correctly.

Rational-Emotive Behavior Therepy (REBT)

REBT's three main goals are to help clients have a better understanding of their self-talk, help them evaluate their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and to explain to the clients the principles of REBT. The primary concept of REBT is the ABCDE model, which has a goal of eliminating irrational thoughts and replacing them with rational ones. This model shows that events do not cause consequences and reactions, but rather the beliefs we hold about the events cause the consequence. So, the activating event (A) takes places, then our beliefs (B) about this event come into play, and then the consequence (C) occurs. These are the main points of the model. However, two more steps were added to the model, D and E. D represents debating, discriminating, and defining and E represents evaluating the effects. I find this technique interesting and would use it as a school counselor. I think it is important to assess our thoughts and beliefs and know that they have a great impact on our behavior and how we interpret situations.  It is also important to replace irrational beliefs with rational ones in order to live a more realistic and fulfilling life.

Overcorrection technique

Overcorrection is composed of two components, which are restitution and positive practice. Restitution is when the client restores a previous situation to the same or better condition than what it was. Positive practice is when the client repeats a desired behavior for that same situation. This technique is a form of punishment that incorporates aspects from different theories. Basically, the counselor instructs the client to stop whenever the unwanted behavior occurs. Then, restitution and positive practice take place. A variation of this technique is just using restitution or positive practice, rather than both, throughout the process because there has been research to support that just one of these can be effective when used alone. I think this can be an effective technique, but not for school counselors because it seems as though it would be time consuming and it is a form of punishment.

Extinction technique

Extinction is applied by eliminating reinforcements that were previously used unknowingly, which encouraged a particular behavior. This is more effective when combined with positive reinforcement. It is said that the unwanted behavior typically increases before showing any improvement and reduction. So, the counselor must withhold all reinforcers in order for this technique to be successful. Only the new alternative behavior can be positively reinforced.  A variation of this technique is covert extinction and this is when the client is asked to imagine a scene where the reinforcement does not take place. The client continues to replay this scene in their mind until the behavior no longer exists. I do not believe this technique would work without positive reinforcement. I think positive reinforcement is the key to many techniques.

Token Economy technique

This technique is used a positive reinforcement. Clients are given a token every time they perform the desired behavior. After earning a certain amount, these tokens are then turned in for a reinforcer. The reinforcer is viewed as something to work towards by the client. First, specific behaviors are discussed. Next, rules are created and discussed. Then, the counselor and client discuss the tokens, reinforcers, and how they are earned. A variation of this technique is a response cost system and this is where the client not only receive tokens for positive behaviors, but they also get tokens taken away when they behave inappropriately.  This strategy is different because it is based upon punishment. I think this would work well in counseling sessions outside of a school setting. I think this would be getting into too much for school counselors.

Behavior Chart

Behavior charts focus on correcting specific behaviors by using positive and/or negative reinforcement. First, the specific behaviors must be understood and discussed. Next, the counselor and client must come up with a rating scale and clearly state the desired behaviors and when monitoring will occur on the behavior chart.  After creating the chart, then the counselor and client decide what the consequences will be and how the client will earn them. I think this technique would be effective when trying to diminish negative behaviors in a classroom setting, such as students speaking without raising their hands. This is a great way to reinforce positive behavior.

Thought stopping technique

This technique is used with clients who have persisting thoughts that are unwanted. The counselor must teach them to interrupt these thoughts while they are occurring, which will then lead to fewer occurrences. This process also allows the client to gain control what their thoughts. There are four steps that take place in this process: (1) deciding which thoughts are going to be stopped; (2) the clients closes his eyes and imagines a situation in which this thought is likely to take place; (3) once the thought comes to the client's mind, the client uses the command "stop"; (4) the client replaces the unwanted thought with a more positive thought. A variation of this technique is used when the command "stop" does not work for the client. In this case, the client can use another form that will help deter the thought, such as a loud buzzer or pinching themselves. This technique can be applied in cases dealing with obsession, phobias, or fears.  I think this technique could be helpful, but it most be practiced repeatedly before seeing significant results.