Read the following description of 'Sally' and write your answers in the discussion below. This chapter (Karchner & Benne, 2008) on developmental counselling might give you some ideas.
Discuss
Using Erikson’s model, briefly explain Sally’s situation.
According to Erikson's model - Sally fits the Stage 4 category - Industry vs Inferiority. (Ages 5-12yrs)
Sally is at the age where she still in the early stages of school, she is still vulnerable and trying to figure out where she fits in. She's able to absorb and differentiate what is good and bad, kind and mean etc. Sally's ability to identify that her teacher is 'mean' and school work is 'too hard' can suggest it is a defensive mechanism to her mothers harsh words of her being 'useless'. Her mother may be comparing herself at that age, where she might have been outgoing, outspoken and had friends, and can't quite understand why her daughter is different and accepting that she is different. The mothers criticism and lack of support can make her child lose confidence and have low self-esteem.
2. How might you approach working with Sally as her counsellor?
Firstly introduce myself and set a friendly and relaxed environment. Because she is timid and shy, I'd create a space where I wouldn't bombard her with questions - but rather approach her with what she likes - in this case its art. Through these arts sessions, I would build a rapport with Sally and reassure her she's in a safe space and gradually gain her trust, eventually allowing her to speak freely and at her pace.
At the age of 8, described by the Erikson's model as middle/late childhood, Sally's emotions reflects an internal sense of failure based on her mother's reactions and rejections by others in her school because she shows lack of motivation in pursuing tasks that would build her competency and confidence. She also seemed to develop or have formed Anxious-avoidant Attachment through these experiences as she is withdrawn at home. As a counsellor the priority is to develop a trustworthy relationships with Sally, then set small achievable goals to re-establish a sense of confidence in her own competence. Collaborations with her family to support the ongoing emotions support and development needs are also important to Sally's new success. Overtime these newly formed positive experiences can then expand into her surroundings to encourage further positive developments.
1. Sally is in stage 4 of Erikson's model, Industry vs. Inferiority. She has a mother who is overly harsh and critical, and does not offer her the encouragement she needs to develop a sense of industry and the virtue of competence. Therefore, she feels incompetent, lacks confidence and motivation both academically and socially and is withdrawing from life. I am also curious if perhaps she did not have the opportunity to develop a sense of trust in life in stage 1 (trust vs. mistrust).
2. My first focus would be on providing a safe, consistent space for her to build connection and trust within our relationship. As trust developed, I would implement encouragement, consistent praise for her efforts and strengths, give her small responsibilities and also support in solving problems she was facing, empowering her and encouraging her to find her own solutions and possibilities. Another optio would be to work with teachers to support her to develop competence and also the mother if there was openness from her.
Sally is in stage 4 of Erikson's model - industry vs inferiority. Her mother is criticising her for not being good enough at her school work, which leads to an inferiority complex which makes her anxious, which means it is difficult for her to be assertive and make friends.
If working with Sally, I would encourage industry through activities such as block building, and drawing which she enjoys so would be able to connect with her through her interest and encourage her strengths. If her mother is open to family counselling it would also be helpful to explain to her how her words and perceptions are affecting Sally and how using Erikson's model. If in a school setting, it would also pay to talk to her teacher about how her peers are treating her.
Sally is in Stage 4 (industry vs. inferiority). Because she’s criticised and excluded, she has feelings of inferiority, anxiety, and withdrawal.
Sally’s confidence and self-worth need to be encouraged, to validate her strengths (like drawing), learning safe peer interactions, and work with her mother/teacher to create encouragement instead of criticism.
1. Following the Erikson's model, Sally is in stage 4. She may feel criticized, compared harshly and unsupported (Inferiority). Drawing alone may be her way of finding some sense of control and self-expression, but it may also highlights her social withdrawal.
2. I may approach Sally through a. build trust and a safe space b. Explore her strengths and interests c. support her social connection d. if I can work with the wider system like her school and whanau
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Sally has a critical mother and so has developed shame in the second stage of Erikson's model. This stage of development has also impacted the other stages, where she lacks assertiveness (initiative vs guilt) and has developed a sense of inferiority in stage 4 - industry.
As a counsellor, I would begin by connecting with Sally through her drawing and taking time to build trust, as this first stage may underpin all of the other stages. Once that was established, I would look at areas she is successful at, ie, her drawing, to build confidence, and take small steps to use those qualities/confidence in other areas.
1. Sally has grown up with negativity and now finds it hard to trust people, often doubts herself, and feels like she isn’t good enough. This fits the first four stages of Erikson’s model, where early issues with trust, confidence, and feeling capable can affect later life.
2. Starting with drawing can help Sally feel safe and use something she enjoys. By praising her work and gently challenging her with new art tasks, her confidence and trust can slowly grow. Leaving some drawings unfinished may give her a chance to finish later, helping her feel proud and more willing to take on challenges.
1. Sally is at Stage 4 of Erikson's model - Industry (Competence) vs. Inferiority. She feels like shes not good enough.
2. I'd create a fun friendly safe space for her to start to feel comfortable and build her trust with me. Starting with something I know she enjoys, which is drawing. Since she doesnt have a great relationship with her trusted adults (parent and teacher) in her life I understand as her counsellor she will need time to build the trust with me.
1) I would go so far as to say Sally’s situation falls into the first 4 stages under Erikson’s model. The four key virtues that come out of these stages; hope, will, purpose and competence are diminished in Sally. It is clear Sally has been mistreated from an early age. Stage 1 trust vs mistrust – Sally’s basic needs of trust and affection have not been met by her mother from an early age, the mother clearly belittles her and is lacking affection and therefore Sally’s hope is diminished. Stage 2 autonomy vs shame/doubt, Sally has an overwhelm of shame/doubt of her failure as a person because of how her mother has treated her and she does not have the virtue of will to try socially or with school work, she has given up. Stage 3 initiative vs guilt, Sally is lacking the virtue of purpose and she probably stops trying at school in fear of failure, also because she believes she has no talent. Stage 4 industry vs inferiority, Sally definitely is lacking the virtue of competence and has an overwhelm of inferiority. Her mother has made her feel useless, saying she doesn’t try, can’t be bothered and has no friends. These types of comments would just be the tip of the iceberg of what Sally has had to endure from her mother.
2) As a counsellor I would work towards building a environment and relationship with Sally where she feels valued as a person, where she feels worthwhile, she is enough (hope) and focus on recognising traits about herself she likes and feels successful at (will). Then building on her will and resilience to try new challenges, seeing failure as a step to mastering new skills (purpose and competence) without feeling guilt or shame. Definitely using art therapy would be a good tool because art is an area that is a strength of hers and she finds comfort in it. Once comfortable in this, then other tools such as sandbox and role play with dolls might be good to build her confidence in trying out new things and working through scenarios.
1: According to Erikson's model, Sally being middle to late childhood, is in the industry vs inferiority stage, where increasing their sense of industry is important, this is done by allowing/encouraging children to be creative, make and build things without feeling like they are in trouble for making a mess.
2: I would approach Sally as a counsellor gently while allowing Sally time to feel comfortable to open up to me. I would be encouraging around her artwork and potentially ask her to do some drawings during the session to help her feel comfortable while we work on the aspects surrounding school and home.
Sally is using Erickson's model of industry versus inferiority. She is feeling very inferior as her mother is not showing any belief in her capabilities. N
I would approach Sally as a counsellor with warmth and compassion. I would work on building up her self confidence and belief. Maybe get her to show me her pictures and involve her in some art therapy. Try and get her to realise she is a very capable girl and everybody has different strengths.
Reading this about Sally makes me sad. Her mothers put downs have had a huge affect on Sally and she believes what her mother tells her to be true. She has given up trying. Her confidence has been taken away as her primary caregiver is not supportive or encouraging,
working with Sally i would get her to do tasks - appropriate for her age - that she will complete and slowly teach her intrinsic positivity and accomplishment,