As a special education director, you're no stranger to the challenges that come with providing high-quality therapy services to students. Whether you're dealing with therapist staffing shortages or ensuring legal compliance, the role requires a multifaceted approach. One valuable resource for enhancing your practice is the research article titled Agency via Awareness: A Unifying Meta-Process in Psychotherapy by Gorlin and Békés.
The article presents a theoretical framework that integrates the concepts of agency and awareness, offering a unified approach to understanding and facilitating therapeutic change. Here’s how you can apply the insights from this research to improve your skills and the services you provide.
Understanding the Framework
The Agency via Awareness framework posits that increasing a client's agency (their ability to make intentional choices) is a fundamental goal of psychotherapy. This is achieved primarily by increasing their awareness of internal and external realities relevant to their lives. The process is iterative and synergistic, with increased awareness fostering greater agency and vice versa.
Implementing the Framework
Here are some practical steps you can take to incorporate this framework into your practice:
- Build a Strong Therapeutic Alliance: Establishing a trusting relationship is crucial for creating a safe space where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and emotions.
- Enhance Client Awareness: Use techniques such as mindfulness, reflective listening, and psychoeducation to help clients become more aware of their internal states and external circumstances.
- Foster Agency: Encourage clients to make intentional choices and take actions that align with their newfound awareness. This could involve setting realistic goals and developing action plans.
- Iterative Process: Recognize that the process of increasing awareness and agency is ongoing. Regularly revisit and refine therapeutic goals and strategies based on client progress.
Encouraging Further Research
While the Agency via Awareness framework provides a robust foundation for therapeutic practice, ongoing research and professional development are essential for staying current. Consider attending conferences, participating in webinars, and reading relevant publications to deepen your understanding and skills.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Agency via Awareness: A Unifying Meta-Process in Psychotherapy.
