Counselling Paper

Submitted By astridvaswani
Words: 2346
Pages: 10
Open Document
A person comes to you and says, "I am a Christian and I am struggling with the alcoholism of my marriage partner. Can you please help me?"

This paper is a response to their situation.

1498 for a 1500 word paper

"My husband is an alcoholic, but will not ask for help. He thinks he can work it out for himself. He's not doing it, but what can I do? Is there anyone in the world who can help us or will try to? Please, for God's sake, can you help me?"
Letter from the wife of an alcoholic1

Contents

1.Introduction 4
2. Key Aspects of the Issue of Alcoholism 4
2.1. Effects of Alcoholism on the Alcoholic 5
2.2. Effects of an Alcoholic Husband on his Wife 5
3. Marriage Termination 6
4. Saving the Marriage, Solving the Problem 7
4.1. Learning New Responses 7
4.1.1. Directive Counselling 8
4.1.2. Nouthetic Counselling 8
4.1.3. Non Directive Counselling 9
4.1.4. Self-Help Groups 9
4.1.5. Biblical Counselling 9
4.2. Changed Behaviours 10
5. Conclusion 11
6. Bibliography 12

1 Introduction

Alcohol, socially acceptable to most cultures2 including many Christian circles, means its abuse affects most ethnic, age, socio-economic groups and both genders.3 This paper assumes the wife of alcoholic is seeking guidance.

2 Key Aspects of the Issue of Alcoholism

Alcoholism is a repetitive, compulsive dependence upon alcohol, which the drinker cannot break.4 Alcoholics may be social, solitary, steady, continuous or binge drinkers.5 Theories regarding causes include hereditary pre-disposition6 (although no 'alcoholism-gene' exists),7 biochemistry,8 physiology of addiction, cognitive expectancies and social learning patterns.9 Some describe it as a "complex, chronic, progressive disease"10 others, "a moral or self-inflicted problem"11 which evidences sin.12 The 'disease' argument avoids psychological issues13 and personal responsibility.14 However, that of 'sin' overlooks physical effects.15 Alcoholism should be considered as both. Many view the condition as permanent16 however, its treatment success-rate is high.17 Untreatable by willpower alone,18 long-term counselling is required and lapses may occur.19

1 Effects of Alcoholism on the Alcoholic

Alcohol, a toxic mind-altering drug,20 depresses the nervous system. This slows responses21 causing lack of inhibition.22 It bolsters confidence and relieves stress short-term.23 If psychological reliance becomes habitual, dependency sets in and alcohol tolerance increases.24 Alcohol used to counteract withdrawal symptoms creates physical dependence.

Dependency-rate development, physical, psychological and behavioural responses vary between individuals.25 Depression,26 heightened feelings of guilt, fear and shame,27 withdrawal,28 violence,29 memory loss, financial problems, moral decline and physical deterioration all direct the alcoholic towards 'rock-bottom' when they may seek help.30 However, alcoholism is a major killer.31

2 Effects of an Alcoholic Husband on his Wife

Alcoholism affects her marriage relationship,32 social relationships and spiritual relationship. She may endure verbal and physical violence33 including rape, isolation, no marital intimacy, breach of trust including lying, deception and infidelity,34 deprivation including debt35 and handling the impact on any children.36 Her emotional abuse includes dealing with unpredictability,37 anxiety,38 self-doubt, blame,39 loss of self-worth, anger, resentment, denial, guilt,40 embarrassment,41 shame, loneliness, despair42 and fear.43

Coping mechanisms may buffer the problems but untreated she becomes sick.44 Whalen45 identifies four response traits; "the sufferer" who masks bitter contempt for her husband, "the punisher" who verbally or physically attacks him, "the controller" who feeds his dependency and "the waiverer" who cannot effect actions to prevent his drinking. Other responses include emotional and physical withdrawal, manipulation, mothering, constructive help seeking,46 management and
Show More

Related Documents: Counselling Paper

Genetic Counseling Analysis

In this respect, imports mention the Dale Lea works (Lea, 1996). In 1996, Lea wrote a interesting paper entitled “Emerging Quality Improvement Measures in Genetic Counseling”. In this paper, she draw up what is an genetic counseling with quality and how assessment the quality of genetic counselling. First, she warns for the fact that “evaluation of the quality of genetic counseling depends first on recognition of the definition of genetic counseling and its goals” (Lea, 1996). Thereafter, she try…

Words 517 - Pages 3

Male Mentoring In Psychology

My personal view of graduate studies and counselling psychology is that men are greatly underrepresented and are much needed within this field. The number of men involved in the field of psychology has been consistently dwindling (Howard et al., 1986). One reason for this is changing public opinion about psychology had reduced the field’s prestige. This caused salaries to stagnate and men went into other higher paying fields (Willyard, 2011). With the decrease of male counsellors available, one very…

Words 500 - Pages 2

Essay on The Importance of Ethics in Counselling

spiritual values. Within the counselling profession however there is a strict ethical framework which must be adhered to. This framework has been developed over the years to insure integrity, confidentiality, and responsibility on the part of the counsellor. In this essay I will discuss briefly the importance of ethics within the counselling profession, I will also outline a few of the major ethical dilemmas that might possibly arise while working in the field of counselling. “The primary role of…

Words 925 - Pages 4

Essay on Mr. Kenny

the use of university counselling services 109 Introduction University counselling services, like most university support services, constantly review how they can deliver a more efficient service to their clients. In the last ten years, increased numbers of international students have been a significant feature of tertiary education institutions. Understanding the adjustment experiences of international students in a tertiary environment will allow university counselling services to develop policies…

Words 6964 - Pages 28

Essay on Human Services

Human Service Scenario Analysis Paper: Domestic Violence Name BSHS 322 Date Instructor Human Service Scenario Analysis Paper: Domestic Violence My current client is a Caucasian woman, 28 years of age. My client is married to her high school sweet heart at the age of 18, and she expresses how wonderful and intense her relationship started out. She claims that her husband gave her ample amounts of attention wanted to be around her all the time. He wanted to be with her when…

Words 1300 - Pages 6

Establishing An Efficient Relationship Between Client And Counsellor

C O U N S E L L I N G P A P E R * T H E R A P E U T I C A L L I A N C E - Research Paper by KANTHAROUP Term. Establishing an efficient relationship between client and counsellor is one of the key aspect in counselling. Every therapeutic session starts with the process of building up a therapeutic alliance. Bob Shebib defines the therapeutic alliance as a time limited period of consultation between a counsellor and one or more clients for assisting the client in achieving a defined…

Words 2324 - Pages 10

Counselling Assignment Essay

psychodynamic and behavioural approaches- emphasises on the idea that all humans strive to become their optimum self (College, 2002). College also mentions Roger’s Person centred Therapy and describes it as a form of counselling that helps the client find their ‘real’ self. This paper will highlight a few of the similarities and differences between the two therapies mentioned above. Some of the points which will be tackled will be the difference in therapeutic relationship between the client and counsellor…

Words 2218 - Pages 9

Case Study: The Tema Conter Memorial

(Halpern). Some of the interventions that were used to manage these events are supervisor and peer support, having a break after the incidents occurrence and speaking with counselling (Halpern). Peer and supervisor support seems to be the most important and effective method of managing the critical incident (Halpern). Speaking with counselling has a major limitation of the stigma surrounding it. Many of the subjects believed that if they were to talk to the counsellor, that people would perceive them as being…

Words 787 - Pages 4

Module 3 Essay Edited Version

to face posture. You should keep eye contact without staring, gently lean towards them but do not invade their personal space as this can make them very ill at ease. It is important to make regular eye contact and observations even when completing paper work, this will assure the client that you are listening. How you communicate both verbally and with body language whilst collating information will affect the responses you get from your client which in turn will affect you treatment. The main purpose…

Words 2036 - Pages 9

Course 200/201: Professional Development Seminar I And 2

orientation to the fields of counselling and professional psychology, issues of diversity as it relates to the students’ personal and professional growth, and a preliminary overview of ethics within the context of social responsibility. The seminar will also assist students in orienting and preparing for the Community Service Practicum (CSP) and provide a format for integrating students’ experiences at their CSP site. The seminar will also introduce some of the basic counselling microskills. Course…

Words 1762 - Pages 8