What is your definition of change? In some ways this is your thesis statement, so be clear at the beginning with exactly what you will be talking about throughout the whole paper
My Theory of Change: When one has experienced a disruption to the homeostasis and becomes aware of exceptions to the rule. The awareness of solutions and commitment to applying solutions lead to change. My Theory: Solution-Focused Therapy Signature Theme: Commitment -This is my signature theme because of my family of origin, there have been divorces that make me want to be more committed in relationships, so much that I may ignore red flags to make it work. Its a good thing when it comes to therapy because I will stay committed to finding the appropriate interventions that will lead to change.
Criteria *Please answer all questions below and how it relations to my Theory of Change/Change Definiton, my Theory: Solution-Focused Therapy and POTT/Person of The Therapist: Commitment
First Part – Answer the following questions in whatever order/organization fits your explanation. Speak universally for the most part without referencing therapy or yourself very often. This part is supposed to be abstract, but you can use examples to clarify. These questions are to stir your thinking and provide a base for a good paper. It is okay include other ideas or address these in different ways.
What is your definition of change? In some ways this is your thesis statement, so be clear at the beginning with exactly what you will be talking about throughout the whole paper. What broad assumptions does your definition include or is based on? Social economic status, family of origin and environment What is necessary in order for someone to change? o What is a problem and how do they develop? Environment, Social economic status and family of origin
o What is health and how do people achieve it? Desired level of functioning, awareness of body, cognitions and feelings. Finding exceptions to patterns of acheiving health.
o What differences are there (maybe there are not for you) between general change and therapy change? General change can be sudden, an experience and the client not have the skills to cope with change. Therapy change: intentional, a process, given skills to cope with change.
Why do you make these assumptions? What about you (e.g., personality, life history, experiences, culture, etc.) makes it clear that these assumptions lead to change? I make assumptions to make me feel more comfortable. I makes me not feel like I am going in blind. These assumptions come from past experiences personally and from others. Peronality: looking at the brighter side. Experiences: not giving up (commitment). Seeing how family members have changed. Death, jail (not being commited to change). Recognize you are putting the pieces of your definition together in a particular way. Why are you putting it together in that way? What systemic concepts (e.g., content vs process, recursive causality, homeostasis, etc.) are part of your understanding of change? Can change happen accidentally or does it have to be controlled? Both Does change have to be for good or can it be for other purposes? Can be for other purposes. How do you address temporary vs permanent change? Temporary change will have to be practiced more. Permanent change will be affirmed. How is change developmental vs instantaneous? Both depends on situation. Why do people come to therapy? To have an unbiased person guide them to realizations about change and give tools to be consistent with change and skills. What is the therapist’s role in helping clients change? Encourager, cheerleader. Letting client be the expert What MFT model(s) do you find fit best with your theory of change/therapy? If you choose more than one model, clearly describe how the models integrate and where they are in conflict. How do you address clinical dimensions of cognition, emotion, behavior, relationship, and culture? Second Part – Connect your theory of change to your POTT
How well does your life relate to your theory of change? Looking at the brighter side of situations Who in your past taught you about change? My mother, divorce What metaphors/terms work for you as an agent of change in general life? Life is like leaves, they constantly change colors but still have a goal in mind. What metaphors/terms work for you as an agent of change in therapy? How do work with different clients who have different change theories of their own? How do you reconcile your own theory of change with the client’s?
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