Becoming A Helper: Chapter 2 - Helper Know Thyself

Boundaries

A concept in family therapy, refers to emotional barriers that protect and enhance the integrity of members of a system.

Autonomy

A key developmental task of early adulthood, refers to mature self-governance.

Adolescence

A period of development from about 12 to 20, is a central time to formulate a sense of personal identity.

Middle Adulthood

A period of roughly from 35 to 55, is a time when people tend to engage in a philosophical reexamination of their lives.

Systemic Perspective

A view that how we develop can best be understood through learning about our role and place in our family of origin.

Dysfunctional Families

Are characterized by closed communication, by poor self-esteem of one or both parents, and by rigid patterns.

Late Middle Age

Between the ages of 55 to 70, is a time when many adults are beginning to consider retirement, pursue new interests, and think about what they want to do with the rest of their lives.

Middle Childhood

Between the ages of 6 to 12 years when children expand their knowledge and understanding of the physical and social worlds, develop a sense of values, learn new communication skills, and engage in social activities.

Countertransference

Emotional and/or behavioral reactions helpers have toward a client that are based on their own personal issues or unresolved problems.

Preschool

From about 3 to 6, is a time when children seek to find out what they are able to do.

Late Adulthood

From about age 70 onward, is a time to put our life in perspective and accept who we are and what we have done.

Transference

Has it roots in a client's unresolved personal conflicts with significant others that are projected onto a counselor.

Personal Transformation

Involves an awareness of how people deal with developmental tasks in the past and how they are now addressing these issues.

Virginia Satir

One of the pioneers in family therapy.

Family Secrets

Pertain to matters that are not openly talked about in a family and specific areas that are kept hidden.

Crisis

Pertains to a turning point in life, or a moment of transition characterized by the potential to go either forward or backward in development.

Psychosocial Theory

Provides a conceptual framework for understanding trends in human development and the major developmental tasks at each stage of life.

Genogram

Refers to a graphic representation of one's family of origin, which is often used as an effective psychosocial tool in counselor training.

Gift

Refers to something unique that humans contribute to the world during each life stage, according to Armstrong's theory.

Individuation

Refers to the process of achieving psychological separateness from one's family.

Self-In-Context Perspective

Takes into account race, socioeconomic class, gender, ethnicity, and culture as central factors that influence the course of development throughout the individual's life cycle.

Emotional Intelligence

The ability to control impulses, empathize with others, form responsible interpersonal relationships, and develop intimate relationships.

Psychosocial Tasks

The challenges that need to be developed at each stage of life.

Identity versus Identity Confusion

The core struggle during adolescence. Self-understanding tends to lead to a clear sense of identity whereas a lack of self-understanding often results in role confusion.

Intimacy versus Isolation

The core struggle during early adulthood when young adults are challenged to develop intimate relationships. The failure to achieve a sense of self and meaningful connections with others leads to isolation.

Autonomy versus Shame and Doubt

The core struggle during early childhood. Significant others either promote or interfere with the development of autonomy during this stage.

Trust versus Mistrust

The core struggle during infancy. The infant develops a sense of trust or mistrust based on the kind of caretaking received.

Integrity Versus Despair

The core struggle during late adulthood, which is a time when older people consider whether or not they have successfully mastered the earlier developmental tasks. Mastery of these tasks leads to a sense of integrity, while lack of mastery results in a sense of despair.

Generativity versus Stagnation

The core struggle during middle adulthood, which is a time when healthy adults become increasingly concerned about the meaning and purpose of their lives.

Industry versus Inferiority

The core struggle during middle childhood and a time when children begin to examine what they do well. Self-worth can be established at this time, as can a sense of inferiority.

Initiative versus Guilt

The core struggle during the preschool age. This is a time when children explore their environment and gain increased sense of independence. Caretakers can either encourage or discourage this exploration.

Family Structure

The functional organization of a family, which determines interactional patterns among members.

Family Rules

The implicit agreements that prescribe the rights, duties, and range of appropriate behaviors within the family.

Family of Origin

The original nuclear family into which one was born or adopted.

Infancy

The period of birth to age 1, is the time for developing a sense of trust in self, others, and the environment.

Early Adulthood

The period roughly between ages 20 to 35 that involves developmental tasks such as establishing a gender-identity, finding an occupation, separating from family of origin, and developing a personal worldview.

Early Childhood

The time between ages 1 to 3 when children learn independence and when they begin the journey toward autonomy by progressing from being taken care of by others to meeting some of their own physical needs.

Functional Families

Those in which the needs of the individual members are met, along with a balance of interdependence and autonomy among members.