Strength-Centered Counseling: Integrating Postmodern Approaches and Skills With Practice

Integrates the most popular and most used counseling techniques into current teaching and practice. This text provides a frameworkfor the synthesis of postmodern theories of counseling. The cutting-edge Strength Centered Counseling model can be incorporated effectively with the more traditional models of counseling, resolving the ambiguity about how postmodernism fits into every day practice and results in more direct application of knowledge and skill sets for training in counselor education. Authors Colin Ward and Teri Reuter offer a practical and straightforward resource that presents clients with opportunities to look at life not only from a context of problems and adversity; but also of solutions, strengths, and hope.

Table of Contents:
PART I: FOUNDATIONS OF STRENGTH-CENTERED COUNSELING 1. The Essence of Strength-Centered Counseling Principle One: A Shared Understanding Principle Two: Shared Respect Principle Three: Shared Strengths Principle Four: Shared Resilience Principle Five: Shared Dichotomies Principle Six: Shared Language Principle Seven: Shared Wellness Principle Eight: Shared Hope Principle Nine: Shared Authenticity 2. Emergence of Postmodernism Modern Approaches Postmodern Approaches Professional Growth Activities 3. Postmodern Counseling Solution Focuses Counseling Narrative Counseling Motivational Interviewing Professional Growth Activities 4. Central Role of Language in Strength-Centered Counseling Language and Meaning Reality and Strength-Centered Language Strength-Centered Vocabulary Competence Dialectics of Pathology and Possibility Incorporating a Strength-Centered Vocabulary Professional Growth Activities PART II: PHASES OF STRENGTH-CENTERED COUNSELING Phase One: Shared Understanding 5. The Stance An Attitude of Empathetic Curiosity A Stance of Acceptance An Appreciation for Ambivalence Professional Growth Activities Counselor Interview and Reflection Guide--Shared Understanding: The Stance 6. The Steps Step One: Problem Perception Step Two: Struggle Perception Step Three: Strength Perception Step Four: Dichotomy Perception Step Five: Hope Perception Professional Growth Activities Counselor Interview and Reflection Guide--Shared Understanding: The Steps Phase Two: Contracted Change 7. Envisioning a Preferred Life Perception of the Preferences Solution Efforts The Miracle, the Dream, and the Future The Road Ahead Building a Readiness Professional Growth Activities Counselor Interview and Reflection Guide--Contracted Change: A Preferred Life 8. Understanding Goals Scaling Steps of Action Follow-Up Suggestions The Theory of Holes Professional Growth Activities Counselor Interview and Reflection Guide--Contracted Change: Understanding Goals Phase Three: Developed Lifestyle 9. Understanding Personal Wellness Integrating Strengths and Wellness Introducing Wellness Envisioning Wellness Professional Growth Activities 10. Practicing Personal Preferences Integrating Wellness Maintaining Preferences Counselor Interview and Reflection Guide--Developed Lifestyle: Understanding Personal Wellness PART III: RESILIENCE FOR THE STRENGTH-CENTERED COUNSELOR 11. Becoming a Competent Strength-Centered Counselor Themes of Professional Development Strength-Centered Competence Continuum Professional Growth Activities 12: A Strength-Centered Counselor's Survival Guide Essential Principles of Strength-Centered Counseling Living Out the Essential Principles of Strength-Centered Counseling A Professional Plan for Hope and Wellness Finding a Hope in a Problem-Centered World Appendices Appendix A: Change Plan Worksheet Appendix B: Strength-Centered Counselor Stance Interview and Reflection Guide Appendix C: Engages Curiosity: Phase One - Interview Guide Appendix D: Contracted Change: Phase Two - Interview Guide Appendix E: Scaling for Wellness Understanding - Informal Interview Format Appendix F: Strength Cards References About the Authors

About the Author :
Colin Ward’s Strength-Centered Counseling reflects over two decades of clinical and academic experience. Frustrated by the limitations of traditional approaches to counseling for influencing enduring change with clients, Dr. Ward sought out additional training in postmodern approaches. He continued, both in school and private practice settings, discovering the phases of Strength-Centered Counseling and then developing effective techniques and interventions for working with clients to engage hope, identify strengths, and develop resilient life patterns. Dr. Ward is currently a counselor educator and supervisor at Central Michigan University. He received his B.S. in Education and Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in 1983, his M.S. in Counseling from Winona State University in 1988, and his Ph.D. in Counseling from Oregon State University in 1997. In addition to strength-centered counseling, his other interests include wellness counseling, school counselor training, advocacy and professional leadership, counseling supervision, family therapy, and public policy for promoting the counseling profession and social mental health. Teri Reuter's wide range of professional and personal experiences have led her to believe in the transformational power of a Strength-Centered approach to counseling. Ms. Reuter has taught Communication courses at the university level for over twenty years, and in that time, she and her family have lived in many different places, both in the United States and Europe. Living in, working in, and adjusting to these varied cultures has helped her recognize the value of identifying one's own strengths and developing resiliency. In collaborating with Colin Ward, Ms. Reuter has refined her philosophies into practical guidelines to help her and other counselors work with clients in broadening their strengths and meet life challenges. In 1989, Ms. Reuter graduated from the University of Florida with a B.A. in Communication Studies, and in 1991 she earned an M.A. in Communication Processes and Disorders and a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology. She received her M.A. in Counseling from Oakland University in 2008. Currently, Teri Reuter is a counselor in Orlando, FL.