LP #6 The Helping Process; The TFA Model

 

            Chapter four “The Helping Process” in our text spells out vital characteristics of the helper, some being positive regard, congruence, acceptance, empathy, warmth, open-mindedness, self-awareness, respect, rapport, trust, genuineness and self-understanding. I confidently own many of these traits at varying depths. Some indifferent moments are sometimes dictated by the environment and connectedness to or with the client. The traits are natural manners that are conducive to a therapeutic relationship, but they don’t necessarily equate to a comprehensive approach in helping clients to grow towards personal goals and developing powers in coping with life. Finding solutions and assisting clients to invest themselves in a partnership with a counselor, such as me, will necessitate the use of tools, structures, models and systems within specific approaches. One of the effective approaches that will help to develop my style and effectiveness, that I know I will incorporate into my usage as a competent counselor, will be the TFA (Thoughts, Feelings and Actions) model.

            A large portion of our chapter was devoted to explaining the AGATE Model, which I broke down in my Mind Map. I will undoubtedly use this model, but I was fascinated by a component of that model which happened to be using the TFA model. This model is a component of the AGATE model. The TFA approach exists within the AGATE model at the Action stage. In the Action stage the TFA model is implemented to “understand how Thoughts, Feelings and Actions relate to behavior, which is crucial in achieving change” (Corliss & Corliss, 2006, p. 117). Thoughts, Feelings and Actions are all integrated and interconnected with each other.  For me, this was such an easy and simplistic acronym to apply, yet it’s concept is very powerful and dynamic in presenting effective procedures designed to help clients change their behavior. Feelings are born from Thoughts. Thoughts are the birth source that originates the source of why a client Feels the way that they do. Feeling or experiencing those emotions are often the powerful dictator of how we behave, or our Actions. My personal experience and colorful association to this model is vividly engrained with multiple interactions with a client I often had to help or assist, with refocusing her attentions on the outcome-behaviors. Attention and interventions should of also been addressing the components of Thoughts and Feelings

             Her Actions or behaviors are what I was continually trying to wrongly address. She was anxiety stricken and would occasionally slip into a state of panic behavior. Her father’s health was deteriorating quickly due to his years of continued alcohol abuse. She was emotionally and mentally neglected during her childhood years, yet she was always there to care and provide for him, the best she could; due to her love for her father. Yet while in treatment herself, she was experiencing emotional growth and vulnerabilities she had not experienced since being a child.

            To make a long story short. Her thoughts, which stemmed from patterned dysfunction and neglect were never matured or developed healthy because there was a lack of nurturing, care, safety and love within the family environment. Her maladjusted thoughts were fueling her feelings. Her feelings would consume her with a belief of uselessness, unworthiness and incapable of being loved or cared for by anyone. These overwhelming feelings she was experiencing, were dictating her actions. Those actions took the form of immature, irresponsible and unaccountable behavior. She would often have emotional outbursts that were very disruptive and alarming to other residents and staff. I was often trying to talk her off a ledge, calming her down by addressing her Actions or behavior. In hindsight, If I would of applied, or been more deeply aware of this model’s (TFA) application I would of addressed her Thoughts; the origination source that became her Feelings. Her Actions (behaviors), were a byproduct of her Feelings, which originated with her Thoughts.

            Because the client’s primary frame of reference showed regret and shame for her behavior, a cognitive-based approach, like Cognitive Behavior Therapy could have been a behavior approach that would have probably been effective and useful. Because she was unable to regulate her Thoughts, she was then very susceptible to strong Feelings. After each emotional outburst or overreaction with behavior, she would experience deep regret and shame for her actions. The TFA model can be incorporated with various procedures and interventions by starting with techniques that relate directly to a client’s primary frame of reference (Corliss & Corliss, 2006, p. 117).

 

References

Corliss, L. A., & Corliss, R. A. (2006). Human Service Agencies- An Orientation to Fieldwork (2nd ed.). Cengage Learning.