PowerPoint Presentation

EDGC 671Selecting Goals in the Counseling Process

Dean W. Owen, Jr. Ph.DProfessor Emeritus1

Good counseling practice is NOT rocket science.You cant possibly get somewhere if you have no idea where you want to go.

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3Owens Axiom #427Try to avoid the error of the knight of old who rushed to his trusty war horse and road off in all directions..The horse was not amused!

4For the purpose of this discussion the terms goals and objectives are used interchangeably. For the purpose of developing treatment plans, the goal is usually considered the desired outcome and is identified in global terms. Objectives are the small steps that need to be accomplished to meet the ultimate goal.

5 Goals and objectives of treatment refer to specific behaviors which can be observed objectively and measured. They specify what behavior the client will exhibit at the point at which the problem is termed resolved.6 ObservableNot Observableto drawto knowto eatto understandto dustto concentrateto repeat out loudto discoverto selectto recognizeto markto appreciateto crawlto thinkto foldto be aware ofto point toto learnto verbalizeto realize fullyto count out loudto be curiousThe easiest way to conceive of behavioral objectives is to askcan I see it?????7Behaviorally or operationally defined objectives contain five major components:

1. A person (client) to exhibit the behavior.2. A behavior to be exhibited.3. Conditions under which the behavior will be exhibited.

4. A criterion or level of mastery or performance.5. The timeframe for the completion of the goal or objective, and for its continued exhibition.8Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 1. Set an objective that has a high probability of success within a reasonably convenient period of time.

9Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 2. . Set objectives that can be directly observed and graduate objectives into small steps with increasing complexity.

10Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 3. . Determine what is realistic within the constraints of time and ability.

11Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 4. Assess the support systems and resources of the client and take them into account in the formulation of objectives.

12Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 5. Use frequency descriptors to define how often the behavior will occur in a given period of time. Every time Once a day Twice a week13Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 6. Use duration qualifiers to explain how long a behavior will be demonstrated.

For at least 10 minutes For a month For one hour each day14Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 7. Intensity measures can be used for subjective data using a Likert scale.

15Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 8. Assess frequently to determine progress or the lack of it.

16Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. 9. Keep in mind that objectives refer to client behavior leading toward the achievement of a stated ultimate goal.

17Suggestions for writing attainable counseling objectives. Goals Identification Survey18

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