Treating Alcoholism presents therapists with multi-dimensional issues -- multicultural understanding and contextual setting of the client (profession, family, history, work conditions and exposure to extraordinary conditions, in the case of those serving in the military), dominates these settings within which psychotherapists are required to work. Lack of adequate and healthy outlet for feelings; absence of recreation, often lead to excessive, and harmful drinking. Yet, each case is an independent experience requiring the therapist to be flexible, yet focused on creating value at all times. As such, a therapist's work with each client may be termed aptly as a 'discovery'.
A psychologist deals with interpersonal exchanges using a worldview (i.e., group of attitudes) that aids in shaping their opinion of other people. Their worldview is partly governed by cultural experiences. In fact, multicultural and cross-cultural literature constantly highlight the following facts (Duncan, 2010):
1) Man is a multicultural being (Duncan, 2010);
2) One's lifetime experiences are governed and perceived from within one's respective cultural perspective (Duncan, 2010); and
3) Every interaction is cross-cultural (Duncan, 2010).
A psychologist is urged to understand the way cultures differ from one another in fundamental premises shaping the worldview. For instance, understanding that mainstream American persons prefer to be independent, focus on success and achievement, value logical decision-making, and know and control their respective personal goals forms a particular cultural aspect, might be important (Duncan, 2010).
An interesting and persuasive article, written after conducting thorough empirical analysis, describes a six-stage (lay helper-senior professional) therapist development model and discusses the significance of constant reflection. Authors maintain that constant reflection and a receptive attitude towards learning new things is essential for professional growth at every level of experience. In the field of psychology, personal growth accompanied by considering and defining, editing, refining, expanding, or completely altering how one works is beneficial. At this juncture, one must give due importance to integrity and how it's importance for therapists to have faith in the solutions and explanations they employ (i.e., in the words of Frank, how important it is to believe in applied therapeutic methods' restorative power). Considering the effect of psychologists' expectations (i.e., their allegiance to how they aid clients), describing their work in a way that takes care not to restrict their flexibility, and in which they believe, makes sense (Duncan, 2010).
Multiculturalism in Psychology
With the debate on multiculturalism in the field of psychology prevailing with mutually exclusive and varying perspectives, it becomes increasingly vital to look both internally and externally. Today's psychology research, education, and practice are guided by numerous societal influences introduced because of events across the globe as well as by other branches of learning. Global migration, global terrorism, cloning, breakthroughs in genetic research, climate change, and the effectiveness of diverse medications in the health as well as mental healthcare domains represent some external forces that impact psychologists' training and practice (APA, 2003). Their Guideline aims at informing them of:
(1) Present and impending contexts which motivate psychologists to exhibit proactive behavior when it comes to organizational change (APA, 2003);
(2) Models and frameworks for facilitating multicultural institutional growth (APA, 2003);
(3) Perspectives concerning psychotherapists in transition (APA, 2003); and (4) Practice and process examples, which reflect leadership of psychologists in developing culture-focused organizations (APA, 2003, p. 51).
To endorse this Guideline, one can find contextual information providing a base on which multiculturalism can be positioned as thematic to organizational strategic planning, structures, and functions, in addition to examples of modification in psychology practices and policies (APA, 2003).
It is clear that the psychology landscape is evolving -- psychologists are now entering political life, and are assuming responsibilities in healthcare organization and EAP (Employee Assistance Program) (APA, 2003) administration; as provosts and deans in colleges/universities; as corporate consultants; and in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). All these divergent roles require psychologists to perform different functions and use different systems guided by different forces, as well as interacting with individuals belonging to different professions and social classes/groups (APA, 2003).
Stress 'Show Up' In Their Work
A major military problem is heavy alcohol consumption. Armed forces personnel frequently turn to alcohol for coping with stress, loneliness, lack of recreation, and boredom. Easy alcohol availability, inconsistent policies, and ritualized opportunities for drinking have given rise to a military culture facilitating heavy, binge drinking. Prevention strategies like alcohol consumption-related policies, together with campaigns that concentrate on alcohol "de-glamorization," health promotion, and...
Chemical Dependency, Particularly Alcoholism, Within the History Of Psychology Since the dawn of humankind, people have been experimenting with various chemicals for recreation, to alter their conscious state for religious purposes, or for medicinal applications. Indeed, a vast cornucopia of pharmaceutical preparations has been identified over the millennia that provide modern healthcare consumers with remedies for many human ailments, and more are being developed and identified every day. Used properly and
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