Intervention and Rehabilitation for Sexual Abuse Trauma

Intervention and Rehabilitation for Sexual Abuse Trauma Presenting Problem The case is about an adult woman’s struggle to get over her trauma for the sexual abuse she suffered in her childhood. Apparently, her painful memories of such a traumatic experience were triggered when she and her workmates visited a friend’s farm in the country. While in the farm, she had flashes of her painful childhood memories which she thought she has forgotten over the years. However, the sights, smells, sounds, etc. of the farm only made the flashbacks more vivid. Sherry was only four years old when her grandfather began sexually molesting her in his barn. He did this to her until she was nine years old when she and her family had to move to another city due to her father’s employment. Sherry used to adore her grandfather because he brought her on trips around the country side and had ready treats for her every time she and her parents came to visit him and her grandmother. It is in the barn when he would sexually abuse her in the guise of pretend play. Sherry did not enjoy that kind of play at all and felt uncomfortable with her grandfather’s touch. Even if she was already toilet trained, she would sometimes soil her underwear in the hope that her grandfather will not rape her. Although he told her that it was their secret and she was not supposed to tell anyone, she tried to tell her mother when she was five years old, and in response, she was spanked, in the belief that she was lying. She never told anyone again. Bowlby’s Attachment Theory (1969) is one theory that explains the development of attachment of children to their significant others. It posits that a person’s real relationships in the earliest stages of life shape his or her survival functions as he or she grows and develops throughout the life span. To Sherry, her attachment relationships to both her grandfather and mother may have been shattered by her disappointment in them. Ringel (2012) contends that children like Sherry develop disorganized attachments alternating between ambivalent and avoidant behaviors as well as dissociative behaviors like freezing and repetitive behavior. The dissociative processes used by the child have been developed from his or her dysregulated, traumatic interactions with the people they are attached to. These provide protection from overwhelming and unacceptable affects like being fearful or angry towards the significant other. Dissociation can also mean adopting alternate and disconnec ted identities, developing bodily sensations and conflicts in relationships. The individual may realize that such dissociative behavior is very unlike his or her character (Ringel, 2012). In Sherry’s case, if she developed dissociative behaviors (such as soiling her underwear when she was with her grandfather), it was to cover up the fear and anger she keeps for her grandfather, who violated her, and her mother, who did not believe her and instead, rejected her. Trauma theories point to the victim trying to control the resurfacing of the memory of the painful event and stashing it away in some part of the brain to enable him/her to focus on living day to day. However, such memories can still be triggered by physical factors from the environment causing the individual to react physically to the memory, be it conscious or not. Nonverbal messages are conveyed by facial, gestural body language (Jacobs, 1994). Recently, with the old pain being resurrected, Sherry always felt stressed out. She would feel palpitations and sudden episodes of intense fear that makes her unable to concentrate on her work. She also felt worthless, as if she is â€Å"damaged goods†. Her self-esteem became so affected that she feels she has lost the former confidence she exuded. She does not feel like socializing with others and would rather be alone. That was the reason why she sought professional help. Proposed Intervention In designing the most appropriate intervention for Sherry, who has been through such an intense trauma and is in need of more understanding and less judgment from a counsellor or therapist, it is important to remember that gaining her trust necessitates a more humanistic approach such as the one advocated by Rogers’ Person-Centered model. This emphasizes unconditional positive regard and the quest for congruence of self to achieve authenticity, meaning the integration of the person’s public and actual selves. This approach has great respect for a person’s subjective views and potential for self-actualization. It offers a fresh and hopeful perspective on its views on human nature no matter how dire his or her past experiences may be (Weiten McCann, 2006). The intervention should target all aspects of Sherry’s development, namely her socio-emotional, cognitive, physical and even spiritual aspects. The intervention includes counselling sessions with a competent counsellor or therapist who can accurately empathize with Sherry’s subjective experiences on an interpersonal, cognitive and affective level to fully unlock her perceptions, feelings and motivations for her behaviors (Corey, 2005). Sherry will find in Person-centered therapy a trustworthy and accepting friend who is ready to listen but not judge her painful past. She will be encouraged to express her innermost feelings, both positive and negative, and feel assured that she remains acceptable to the counsellor. Eventually, the goal is for her to overcome her trauma by being reassured that it was not her fault, nudged to move on and finally, begin her healing by deciding on a positive action towards self-actualization. A huge part of Sherry’s healing is forgiveness. This releases her from the heavy burden she has been struggling with all her life that she has managed to keep it repressed in her unconscious. The counsellor may help her process this huge step and support her when she finally makes that step to forgive her grandfather for the damage he has done to her person as well as her mother for not believing in her and losing her trust. Since Sherry’s trauma not only brings about emotional and mental anguish but manifests physical symptoms as well, the intervention should also address that. One therapy for trauma victims is the Observed Experiential Integration (OEI). This requires keen observation of the client’s responses to their experiences brought up during therapy. Counselors provide continuous feedback to their clients as to the physical and emotional changes observed while processing shared traumatic experiences. Even minute changes such as the reddening or moistening of the eyes, blushing, tension in the jaw may depict higher levels of emotional or somatic responses while hesitations, brow furrowing, inconsistencies in narration of incidents may denote confusion or emotional conflict (Bradshaw et al., 2011). Making the client aware of her bodily responses will make it easier for her to manage them. Walsh (2009) provides specific guidelines in helping clients deal with stress namely relaxation skills and stress prevention training. This involves the joint processing of relaxation skills and the agreement of relaxation techniques that work for the client such as listening to music or deep breathing exercises to calm the bodily reactions to the traumatic memories that surface. It also teaches the client to prevent further stress by avoiding things that would trigger stress in her system. Evaluation Evaluation of the effectiveness of the intervention can only be done after a certain period of time when Sherry has totally moved on from the ghosts of her past. The effectiveness will be apparent in how she manages her behaviors and attitudes. If she can effectively live her life without being bothered anymore by her painful memories, if she can talk about it with deep wisdom and understanding and most importantly, if she has forgiven her grandfather for his transgressions and patched up her strained relationship with her mother. She should also manifest her old confidence and positive disposition as well as sustain her healthy relationships with her family and friends while also expanding her social network. If all of that happens after the designed intervention, then it can be considered effective.

Luxuries Even For the Environmentalist :: Essays Papers

Luxuries Even For the Environmentalist Imagine, instead ofbeing stuck in morning rush hour because you drive by yourself, youget to go in the HOV lanes simply because of the car you drive. This occurs within some states for those who own hybrids. Hybrids are the most practical vehicle for the majority of America ’s population because not only are they better for the environment but they also have almost all the features of luxury cars. Few individuals think of hybrid vehicles as a practical option when car shopping. With the combinedtechnology of electricity and gasoline, hybrid vehicles are more environmentally friendly then the standard gasoline driven car. However, most consumers worry more about their comforts than their effects on the environment, leading to disagreements on the best vehicle for the consumer’s needs. They argue that many luxuries are lost in the hybrids because hybrids are more expensive to manufacture, and are not as large as some conventional gas cars. This has changed though. Since hybridsbecame available there has been an increase in efficiencies, moreluxuriesand increased driver benefits. When first designed, hybrid vehicles aimed toreduce fuel consumption by half ofalready high gas mileage vehicles. The hybrid’s historystarted off rocky because the electric batteries, generators, and motorshad losses of 15-25 percent in energy, causing it to be more desirable toroute as much of the engine power directly to the wheels (Cheng 114). Doing so, however, was not sufficient for power. Since 1975, five improvements were made that rendered itmore available to the public. These included decrease in electrical losses down to 2-4%, improved shapes to produce far higher energiesand powers, magnetic bearings, new turbines from other materials to increasethermal efficiencies, and small turbochargers for piston engines (Cheng 114). Together these improvements made the hybrid more aerodynamic,efficient and lower in cost to manufacture. In a recentstudy by W. Chenget al, the hybrid was compared to gas turbine-engine vehicles. Their results showed that the hybrid engi ne would producevirtually no vehicle pollution during trips less than 30 minutes, and lessthan normal cars when trips were longer. The strongestcharacteristic of the hybrids is the higher gas mileage which allows it tobe more environmentally friendly and cost effective.

Amy: A Case Study Essay

Amy is the mother of three children: a daughter who is seven and twins – a boy and a girl – who are five. Her husband is an attorney and works long hours. Amy is a college graduate and worked in a professional role until the twins were born. Amy is an only child, social, attractive and very well organized. However, inside, Amy feels insecure, even worthless. Her mother was an alcoholic and her father died when she was ten. After her father died, Amy began to take care of her mother when her mother was to drunk to cook meals, or clean the house. Somehow, Amy always felt it was her fault her father died and her mother started drinking. She had always thought that when she got married and had her own family everything would be perfect. She never expected her husband would work seven days a week, 12-hour days. He rarely had time for the children or for her. Amy started drinking to numb her feelings of disappointment, but soon her drinking got in the way of taking care of th e children and her home. Case study: Amy Amy is a single child, very intellectual and organized. She is married to an attorney who works twelve-hour days five days a week. Amy is a mother of three children a seven-year-old daughter and twins that are five years old. Amy is a collage graduate and had worked as a professional before her twins were born. After Amy’s marriage she comes to realize that her husband works so much that he has little time for her or their children. Amy believed that her family would not resemble that she had grown up in. Amy lost her father at the age of ten and found herself taken care of her mother. Amy’s mother is an alcoholic; Amy would take care of her mother when she was to intoxicated to care for herself or the household. Amy feels that she is worthless and insecure, she feels that her mothers drinking and her father’s death is her fault. Amy has found herself in a situation resembling her mothers. Amy has begun drinking to numb the feelings of disappointment. Amy’ s drinking has come to the point of interfering with taking care of her children and her household. It seems that Amy is in need of help with her issues and her recent increase with drinking. The need to have a assessment and comprehensive treatment plan with a continuity of care approach should be the main focus of treatment for Amy. To assist Amy I would have to assure that the diagnosis is specific and pertains to her individual need. As the book states; â€Å"First, diagnosing a condition not only implies that you understand the criteria for making the particular diagnosis but that you also can’t differentiate that condition from others† (Fisher & Harrison, Ch. 6 pg. 114) Because Amy’s drinking has influenced her family life and her ability to take care probably of her children; it is safe to say that Amy’s diagnosis would be alcohol Abuse. One of the 1st steps in diagnosing Amy properly would be to do a psychosocial interview. After I have completing a thorough psychosocial interview and eliminating other factors in Amy’s life to eliminate dual diagnosis such as. Amy’s situation meets criteria for the DSM-IV of influences, be cause of substance abuse on her social, occupational, or recreational activities shown by her lack in care with their children. Because of Amy’s more recent bout with alcoholism to say that she has no physiological dependency as of yet. Diagnosis of substance abuse follows DSM-IV criteria of failure to fulfill major roles and obligations to work, home, or school. Motivational interviewing developed by William Miller and Stephen Rollnick is a process that assesses the client’s readiness for change. The client may not be ready to hear that they are substance dependent and not quite ready to change (Fisher & Harrison, 2009). Determining what stage that Amy is in would be preferable means of continuing, the stages are; pre-contemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance. Because Amy has sought out help its safe to say that Amy is in the preparation stage. This is an and him and important state that occurs when the individual has become ready and determined to change and take action to do so with steps given by a counselor or therapist. Dr. Amy has entered the stage and be saved to say the next leader action and maintenance stage it was the continuing care plan will be set up in the process of treatment would begin. Amy will enter the next stage, maintenance stage. In this stage, the person tries to maintain the change that resulted from his or her actions without relapsing (Fisher & Harrison, 2009). Treatment Plan: Minnesota Model program; : A continuum of care including assessment and diagnosis, detoxification, inpatient, therapeutic communities, halfway houses, outpatient, and aftercare has been developed using the Minnesota model† (Fisher & Harrison, Ch. 8 pg.135) Amy has used alcohol recently to numb her feelings of disappointment duration of time unknown. However, the period of time is substantial enough to meet substance abuse criteria of DSM-IV. Amy will remain absent from all substances and enter a 30-day inpatient program geared towards complete abstinence and extended learning of mind body and spirit. Amy will remain absent from any substances for duration of 30 days or longer and enter a continuing care program based on 12-step program. Strategies and goals for Amy to complete; attending daily AA meetings after completing 30-day inpatient program. Amy will continue AA meetings on a daily basis as well as completion of program lectures. Amy will participate in individual and family counseling once a week for one year and establish a strong support group with peers in 12-step program. Amy will participate and Al-Anon, and marriage counseling once a week for duration of one year. Amy’s participation is based primarily on financial availability recommendation inpatient 30 days, continuing care, and follow-up. In conclusion I believe that Amy is willing to stop the down word spiral she has begun and is willing to go to any means necessary to do so, I believe Amy understands her consumption of alcohol has negatively influenced her home life. Amy isn’t is in need of therapy at this time primary focus on abstinence from alcohol followed up with therapy to deal with childhood issues such as her father dying and her becoming the mother role model. After completion of treatment program stated above I believe Amy will have a better grasp on that ability to deal with past history influences and triggers. I believe Amy has had a tough life and put a lot of pressure on her ability to succeed where her parents did not. Cite page Fisher, G. L. & Harrison, T. C. (2009). Substance abuse: Information for school counselors, social workers, therapists, and counselors (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Rollnick, S. Ph.D. & Miller, W. Ph.D. (1995) Motivational interviewing. Retrieved on 12/15/12 from: http://motivationalinterview.net/clinical/whatismi.html

Canadian political culture

Canadian political culture Political culture is the shared opinions, values, and attitudes of people about politics. There are several similarities between the political cultures of Europe and North American countries. Most of the countries in these regions emphasize on constitutional law, regional autonomy, freedom of religion, and personal liberty.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Canadian political culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some of the political ideologies originated from the French civil law, British common law, and the North American aboriginal regime. The Canadian government has set some goals that determine how it functions. These goals include the need to maintain peace, order, and good governance and are generally based on the Canadian political culture. The Canadian politics are encompassed of loyalty, tolerance, and compromise. The changes in the Canadian political atmosphere have been quite slow with a lot of negotiat ions and compromise compared to other nations. The most important political culture of Canada is democracy. Its citizens elect most political leaders. This popular sovereignty is only carried out during elections and when conducting national referenda. There are minimal referenda that have been carried out in Canada since the inception of democracy. The most common ones are the 1898 referendum on prohibition, the 1942 referendum on conscription, and the 1992 referendum on the Charlottetown Accord. Elections are carried out periodically and all the citizens of Canada are treated as equals during elections. Political freedom is exercised in Canada. A person is free to join any political party of interested. Every individual has the freedom to share personal political thoughts, expressions, opinions, beliefs, and conscience. In addition, the freedom of the press is also exercised.Advertising Looking for essay on political culture? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first pa per with 15% OFF Learn More Canadian constitution allows individuals to assemble provided that peace is maintained since the freedom of association is guaranteed in the constitution. This demonstrates the democratic nature of Canada. The Canadian politics are based on the majority rule whereby an individual who garners the largest number of votes becomes the political leader. However, the constitution protects the rights of minority groups. Other special groups that are protected by the constitution include the aborigines and women. The Canadian political values are quite different from those of the United States. For instance, the United States’ political culture revolves around liberty, pursuit of life and happiness, while the Canadian political culture focuses on good governance, peace, and order. This has resulted into the continental divide due to the differences in ideologies. The U.S. came into existence because of the revolutions against Britain. This made its political culture to be based on suspicion and individual freedom. Canadians are group-oriented and they believe in collective responsibility. Their origin can be traced back from the original French settlers. They are peaceful people bearing in min that they never formed any rebellion against the British. Other major communities in Canada are refugees from North America who fled during the era of revolution. These differences make Canada to be unique due to its corporatist and collectivist nature. However, the new generation in Canada is not in good terms with the current government. This has resulted into reduced party loyalty, civil rights movements, and low voter turnout during elections. Generally, Canadians are cautious, nonviolent, diffident, dependent, and tolerant society. Most of them observe individualism, egalitarianism, and particularism. The government of Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Besides, the form of government is federal in nature. The systems of law used in Canada are both the common and the civil law. Its ties with Britain are very strong since they share a queen. The queen exercises her powers through the governor who is the overall political leader in Canada.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Canadian political culture specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More

Rice Essays - Rice, Oryza Sativa, Paddy Field, Glutinous Rice

Rice Essays - Rice, Oryza Sativa, Paddy Field, Glutinous Rice Rice Rice is the main food for about one-third to one-half of the world's population. A mature rice plant is usually two to six feet tall. In the beginning, one shoot appears. It is followed by one, two, or more offshoots developing. There are at least five or six hollow joints for each stalk, and a leaf for each joint. The leaf of the rice plant is long, pointed, flat, and stiff. The highest join of the rice plant is called the panicle. The rice grains develop from the panicles. (Jodon, 300) Rice is classified in the grass family Gramineae. Its genus is Oryza and species O. sativa. It is commonly cultivated for food in Asia. Some varieties of rice include red rice, glutinous rice, and wild rice. (Jodon, 303) The kernel within the grain contains most of the vitamins and minerals (298). The kernel contains thiamine, niacin, and riboflavin (299). Rice has many enemies that destroy a majority of the rice crops. The larvae of moth, stem borers, live in the stems of the rice plants. Some insects suck the plant juices or chew the leaves. Birds, such as bobolink, Java sparrow, or paddybird, would eat the seeds or grains. Disease causing factors such as fungi, roundworms, viruses, and bacteria also destroy the rice plants. Blast disease is caused by fungi which causes the panicles containing the grains to break. (Jodon, 300) There are various types of rice grown all over the world. A majority of rice grown is cultivated rice. When rice is grown with water standing on the fields, it is called lowland, wet, or irrigated rice. Rice plants grown in certain parts of Asia, South America, and Africa are called upland, hill, or dry rice because they are raised on elevated lands that cannot be flooded, but with plentiful rainfall. Wild rice is grown along lake shores of Canada and the Great Lakes. It is usually eaten by people in India. Scented rice is the most expensive because is has long grains and tastes like popcorn when cooked. Glutinous rice is waxy rice consumed by Asians. It is cooked to a sticky paste and is used for cakes and confections. (Jodon, 299) Rice was thought to have originated in southeast Asia when Alexander the Great invaded India in 326 B. C(Jodon, 303). Further research revealed that rice was cultivated around or at the Yangtze River in China, around 4000 to 11,500 years ago. One archaeologist, Toyama, surveyed data on 125 samples of rice grains, plant remains, husks, and other factors from numerous sites along the length of the Yangtze River. He reported that the oldest samples. . . are clustered along the middle Yangtze in Hubei and Hunan provinces. Samples from the upper and lower portions of the Yangtze River were found to be younger, around 4,000 to 10,000 years old. This pattern. . .suggests that rice cultivation originated in the middle Yangtze and spread from there. Archaeologists see more than a decade of excavation of the Yangtze River and nearby sites to confirm that the Yangtze River is where rice was first cultivated. (Normille, 309) The Greeks learned of rice when Alexander the Great invaded India around 326 B. C. Spain was introduced to rice when it was conquered by the Moors during the 700's A.D. Spain then introduced rice to Italy, around the 1400's. The Spanish also introduced rice to the West Indies and South America, around the 1600's. Rice was introduced to the United States when a Madagascar ship docked in the Charleston, South Carolina harbor. The ship captain presented the governor with a sack of seed rice. It was then grown in states south of the Ohio River and east of Mississippi. (Jodon, 303) Rice is usually grown in lowland fields divided by dirt walls (Jodon, 300) A majority of the rice crops are grown with water standing on the fields (Jodon, 299). On level land, these paddies and dirt walls are built in wavy or straight lines. On hill-like land, they follow the slopes and form paddies that rise like steps. The dirt walls are used to hold in water for the fields. (300) Cultivation of the rice plant requires controlling the water supply and weeding the

IT leader ananlysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

IT leader ananlysis - Research Paper Example t constitute the organization have a number of members handling different responsibilities in achieving certain goals and according to the chosen structure entail a participative theory in leadership. The style of leadership considers input from members of any team when coming to a decision. The style is based on encouraging fellow members of the team in brainstorming and problem solving, although there is a defined leader. The team leader has the responsibility of encouraging the members into participating in decision-making, problem solving and any other responsibilities that the group might be assigned. The team theory ensures that every member of the team feels relevant to any business that is conducted by the team and organization. The other theory that is evident in this organization is situation theory. The situation theory is a concept by which the right course of action is arrived at by considering various inputs associated with different parameters. The inputs that may affect the course of action may include time, budget, human resource, location, natural occurrences and man related interference. This theory of leadership allows the management the option of altering the style of leadership when the parameters and variables associated with arriving at the best choice of management in striving to meet the project goals and objectives. The team may choose a strategy based on the provisions provided to them in an effort to ensure that all the necessary team goals and objectives are met. There is evidence that supports the existence of this type of leadership in the InfoInfinity organization. In this case, a communication network model would be suitable in handling the interactivity of the members within teams and the leaders of the teams involved in the production process (Jablokow, Jablokow & Seasock, 2010). Management theories in leadership style are another probability associated with the IT organization. The management theories, also referred to as

Applied Psychology - Mindfulness meditation as a treatment for Essay

Applied Psychology - Mindfulness meditation as a treatment for depression - Essay Example It is informative to note that Behaviour Therapy developed at a time when psychology regarded classical and operant conditioning as sufficient mechanisms in explaining human behaviour. Later when psychology took on board the mediation of thought and language (what went on inside the ‘black box’) as important in explaining human behaviour, Cognitive Therapy was born. CBT is approved by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK. However, since no one therapy (including medication) has been proved to be universally beneficial for all patients, the field of counselling and therapy is replete with many alternatives such as psychoanalysis, Gestalt Therapy, and other humanistic therapies. These are not seen as ‘scientific’, objective, and amenable to quantitative research. Increasingly, with the passage of time, it appears that ‘mind’ a concept that had been totally alien to ‘scientific’, positivistic psychology, was beginning to be accepted, at least in the form of neural activity in the brain underpinning all mental schemata as the basis of behaviour. From here, it has been quite a jump to accept ‘mindfulness meditation’, borrowed from the Hindu and Buddhist traditions practised as a religious observance for more than 2500 years as a means of reaching enlightenment. So, Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), may be seen as an innovation in therapy through an attempt at a fusion between two widely divergent fields of human endeavour separated not only by time of origin but by distinctiveness of culture as well . Even so, over the last two decades MBCT appears to have proved efficacious in treating persistent or recurring depression in psychiatric patients (Teasdale et al 2000). Meditation in mindfulness is the cultivation of awareness of the activity of one’s consciousness from moment to moment. When one is able to accomplish this, it can stop one being trapped in constant ruminations and automatisms in