In this session, the counsellor was trying to identify the problem that the angry adolescent was experiencing. It is normal for adolescents to develop a rebellious attitude towards adults, authority or to any one within the family, the community or any other individual who may affect their thoughts and actions directly or indirectly (Erk, 2007).
In the process, such an individual may feel neglected, alone and develop the attitude that nobody loves or cares about him/her. Therefore, it is the work of a councillor to identify the cause of the problem and try to come up with a means through which he/she can solve the problem.
However, for the councillor to achieve this goal, he/she needs to develop a therapeutic relationship with the client (the adolescent in this case). In the video of the angry adolescent, the councillor was trying to identify the problem that may have led to the current behaviour that the girl was exhibiting.
It is essential for a councillor to identify the possible factors that may lead to an adolescent behaving in a specific manner. Once these factors have been identified, it will be much easier for the councillor to come up with short term and long-term solutions that will change the behaviour of the child (American Psychiatric Association, 1994).
In the process of trying to identify the factors that may have led to the current disruptive behaviour of the adolescent, the councillor tried to get information of the child. The councillor may have tried to ask the girl what problems she may be experiencing.
However, in the process of trying to establish the cause of the problem, the councillor did not develop a therapeutic relationship with his/her client. In addition, it is possible that the councillor approached the issue unprofessionally.
This might have led the adolescent into believe that the councillor is not competent enough hence making her to be uncomfortable during the session thus not opening up completely. It is essential for a councillor to develop a therapeutic relationship with the client for the session to be successful (Kazdin, 1987).
The error that the councillor made was trying to expressly state that there was something wrong with the client. It may have been possible that the councillor insisted on this point making the client to develop an attitude towards him/her and the session altogether.
In the process, the clients anger became even worse. She shouted angrily to the councillor that nothing was wrong with her. In addition, she stated that that was the worst counselling session ever. These are clear indications that the councillor did not develop a therapeutic relationship hence the development of the behaviour.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). Washington DC: American Psychiatric Association.
Bird, H. R.(1994). The Co-Morbidity of ADHD in a Community Sample of Children Aged 6 through 16 years. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 3(4), 365-378.
Erk, R. (2007). Counseling Treatment for Children and Adolescents With Dsm-Iv-Tr Disorders. Pearson: New York Forgatch, M. (1989). Patterns and Outcome in Family Problem Solving: The Disrupting Effect of Negative Emotions. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 51, 115-124.
Kazdin, A. (1987). Treatment of Antisocial Behaviour in Children: Current Status and Future Directions. Psychological Bulletin, 102, 187-203.