Charli wheeler notes intro to counseling

Charli Wheeler Notes -- Intro to Counseling Psychotherapy (PSYC-FPX2320) P a g e | 69

EXERCISE Other more natural forms of handling stress have evolved through the popularity of structured
exercise programs. Many people have discovered the therapeutic benefits of activities such as running,
walking, bicycling, rowing, aerobic dance, swimming, weight lifting, and the martial arts.
It is only recently that mental health and medical experts have begun to recognize the potential benefits
of exercise (such as running) for improving creativity, confidence, self-control, and well-being, as well as
for reducing negative addictions, boredom, anxiety, depression, and even schizophrenia (Annesi, 2005;
Scheewe et al., 2013; Stathopoulou et al., 2006; Strohle, 2009; Walsh, 2011). Running and similar
activities have thus become integrated into many therapeutic programs as adjuncts to treatment, as
transitional support systems for after counseling has ended, and even as a sole means of psychological
and spiritual rejuvenation. Some therapists, such as Glasser (1976), recognized a while ago that positive
addictions such as running can combat self-destructive patterns and be a form of self-medication for
stress.
BIBLIOTHERAPY A number of therapists who come from different theoretical orientations recommend to
their clients that they read certain books that complement or reinforce the ideas that come up in
sessions. Clinicians have a long and honored tradition of suggesting self-help or psychology books, or
even novels, that deal with relevant themes (Joshua & DeMenna, 2000; Lampropoulos & Spengler, 2005;
Redding, Herbert, Forman, & Guadiano, 2008). Some bibliotherapy approaches use therapeutic books
that target particular client populations, such as children (Heath, Sheen, Leavy, Young, & Money, 2005;
McCullis & Chamberelain, 2013) or women (Chrisler & Ulsh, 2001). For example, Pardeck and Pardeck
(1993) did a survey of feminist therapists to determine which books they would most frequently
recommend to female clients. Although the list is now somewhat dated, the most commonly cited book
was The Courage to Heal (Bass, 2008).
Bibliotherapy has also become a frequently used intervention in cognitive behavioral therapy treatment
plans; in particular, the book Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (Burns, 1999) is typically assigned to
clients in the beginning of treatment in order to educate them on the basic components of CBT (Gregory,
Canning, Lee, & Wise, 2004).
As you develop experience, and broaden your own reading interests, you will collect your own favorite
sources to recommend to people. Those books that we recommend the most include fiction like Michael
Dorris's The Yellow Raft in Blue Water, which is a story of abuse told from the perspective of a child,
mother, and grandmother, each of whom believes the others are at fault; or Barbara Kingsolver's
Poisonwood Bible, about a family's struggle to understand one another in the midst of their immersion
in a foreign culture. There are also dozens of excellent self-help books on the market that you might use
to supplement the work you do with people. For example, Harville Hendrix's Getting the Love You Want
(2001, 2007) is well received by the couples we work with, and inevitably stimulates partners to examine
their motivations for initially getting together.