Phase 1 ~ Awareness and Acceptance of Self ~ Post #1 of 2 ~ Awareness of Internal Process

In Phase 1 of the A-E-I Framework, the emphasis is on creating awareness and insight regarding the therapist’s experience in the treatment process, including his/her experience of the client, the treatment, and the outcomes of treatment.  Additionally, the therapist’s successes and struggles in work are explored, leaning into the positive affect and resourcing, as well as the blocks and challenges the therapist experiences.
 
Many different resources can be utilized to increase awareness for the therapist, such as an Attachment Style Questionnaire, or producing an Attachment Style Genogram of the therapist’s family of origin (focusing on the attachment strategies of members and how the therapist’s own attachment strategies were developed).  Additionally, exploration is made with attention to identifying thoughts, feelings and behaviors of the therapist.  A therapist will be exploring his/ her personal action tendencies as they pertain to moments during the treatment process and clarifying a normative behavior along the four quadrants of attachment (secure, insecure-anxious, insecure-avoidant, insecure-disorganized).  For more information on attachment theory, google John Bowlby,  Mary Ainsworth.
 
As the attachment style is uncovered as it presents in the work, the therapist can explore unmet attachment needs, as well as connections to the therapist’s own story, including values, moral compass, religious ideation, political beliefs, etc. (moving into phase 2).
 
Summary of key components:
 

• Explore relationship with and recognition of Self in the treatment process, identify interactional patterns with client and within Self, and understand impact on treatment

• Attachment needs/emotions: i.e., competence (not good enough therapist), learning style (challenges of learning, kinesthetic vs. cognitive learner)

• Nonjudgmental acceptance of behavioral patterns and needs; grounding strategies for calming through understanding, empathy, and compassion for Self.

 
For consideration, these elements are kept in mind throughout this process:
 

• Giving ourselves permission for our own survival strategies
• Interdependence occurs in any number of relationships, including with clients (Partner, Parents, Children, Friends, Colleagues, Pets, God, Self)
• “All of us, from cradle to grave, are happiest when life is organized as a series of excursions, long or short, from the secure base provided by our attachment figure(s).” – John Bowlby
• Drawing from systems theory, A impacts B, which then impacts C, we consider the systemic impact first in one direction.  The focus is on emotions, thoughts and behaviors.

 
Reading Reflection: Consider the following questions ~ Awareness of Self.  Note in your personal journal.  Please share in Comments to the degree you are comfortable.
 

• When a client is angry, I feel _______ (emotion), and say to myself __________ (thoughts), and I tend to _______ (action)

• When a client is quiet and not responding to questions, I feel _______ (emotion) and say to myself __________ (thoughts), and I tend to ______ (action)
• When a couple is fighting, I feel ________ (emotion), and say to myself __________ (thoughts), and I tend to __________ (action)
• When a couple is engaged and responsive, I feel ________ (emotion), and say to myself __________ (thoughts), and I tend to __________ (action)

 
 
Next Up:  Awareness and Acceptance of Self ~ Post #2 of 2 – Interdependence, Case Example