Respond to the two posts. Due date 4/25/2024.
2.1 Discussion
Love on Trial
Cing
As I reflect on my life, I find it hard to reflect on the time I feel like my love was on trial. I feel like I have never put myself in a situation where my love will be on trial. I am not saying I pick and choose who I give love to, God called me to love everyone, but I know my limit. I feel like we can love someone in a justful manner with pure heart. Loving someone should not bring pain or hurt. So, "love on trial" come off very negative to me, it almost feels like my love is being doubted or tested. I don't know if I'm forgetting, but I don't remember the time I felt like that.
Before, when I was not spiritually equipped yet, I didn't know how to take in being misjudged or found guilty of something I have not done. Being a people pleaser did not help. I would cry to myself; I would go above and beyond to proof my innocent. I wanted everyone to see me as this righteous person, who can't do no wrong.
Now, I my walk with God is too strong that I only care about what God has to say about me. I am more concern about staying in a right alignment with God than trying to proof myself to others. If it doesn't jeopardize my relationship with God, I am good. Say what you need to say about me, assumed what you want to assume, and I am not going to clear my name up.
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2.2
Positive Psychology Compared to Traditional Psychology
Kathryn
One of the big ideas used in positive psychology is the idea of gratitude. Gratitude described by Millacci (2017) says, “...better explained, one can experience gratitude for someone or something at a certain moment in time, and someone experience gratitude
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long-term as a positive character trait.” I would use gratitude in positive psychology approaches. I could suggest to a client to think about writing a gratitude letter. This letter could consist of multiple topics and/or people. The letter could be written to a specific person and how grateful my client is for them. Millacci (2017) says that, “Gratitude is strongly related to wellbeing.”
Another topic in positive psychology I would use is the idea of resilience. Pennock (2017) defines resilience as, “... the ability to cope with whatever life throws at you.” Resilience is important in positive psychology because it helps frame situations in a better way. Those who are resilient are able to work through obstacles and not let them become roadblocks that keep the person stuck. This topic is important because if someone is able to work through the issues and hardships they're facing with a good and positive mindset, it will be easier and more comfortable for them.
Both of these ideas are different from how I would work with someone in traditional therapy. In a traditional approach, I would focus more on the negatives and mental illness that are present within an individual. I would not suggest writing gratitude letters or building resilience. I would be focusing on ways to improve mental health, such as anxiety coping mechanisms or having a client record their thought patterns.
For a strength-based approach, I would be focusing more on the positive aspects of one's life rather than the negative. Using the strength-based approach, I would have the client take a strength assessment. I would do this in order to get a good grasp on what their strengths are. I would also ask what they think their strengths are. By doing this, I am able to create a plan that would allow us to work through the client’s issues, in a more positive and strength-based way. This is different compared to how I would work with someone in traditional therapy because I wouldn’t usually use a strength-based assessment. I would be looking more towards assessments that grasp a client's symptom levels.
Also, in a strength-based approach, I would ask more open-ended questions. I would let the client take the lead. I want them to be the storyteller. I want them to find empowerment in coming to conclusions on their own. This approach puts the client in charge of their therapy. This leaves the therapist to just help guide and provide commentary when needed. This is different compared to traditional therapy where the therapist is usually the leader or expert. They are in charge of the sessions.
There are several limitations to using positive psychology and strength-based approaches. The biggest concern being minimizing a client's feelings. If someone is severely depressed or has a personality disorder and they are just told, “Well, let's start with some journaling exercises!” This can be extremely disheartening to the client and feel as if they’re feelings aren’t be taken seriously. Since these approaches really only try to focus on the positives of someone's life and their strengths, it doesn’t really address the deep trauma that may be present. These types of approaches may not dig deep enough to get to the root of an issue.
References
Millacci, T. S. (2017, February 28).
What is gratitude and why is it so important?. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/gratitude-appreciation/
Pennock, S. F. (2017, March 3).
Resilience in positive psychology: How to bounce back. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/resilience-in-positive-psychology/
