Assertiveness and Mental Health Professionals: Differences Between Insight-Oriented and Action-Oriented Clinicians

Abstract

Aligning with a particular theoretical orientation or personal multi-theory integration is often a formidable task to entry-level counselors. A better understanding of how personal strengths and abilities fit with theoretical approaches may facilitate this process. To examine this connection, thirty-five mental health professionals completed a series of inventories to determine if passive counselors adhere to more nondirective, insight-oriented theories, while assertive counselors adhere to more directive, action-oriented approaches. Analyses revealed a significant difference between level of assertiveness and theoretical orientation, with action-oriented counselors demonstrating significantly higher levels of assertiveness than insight-oriented counselors. Implications for professional practice and counselor education are discussed.

Assertiveness Training Melalui Bermain Peran dalam Bimbingan Kelompok untuk Meningkatkan Komunikasi Interpersonal

“…Beberapa hasil studi yang telah dipaparkan dapat dijadikan sebagai data pendukung keberhasilan assertiveness training melalui metode bermain peran dalam bimbingan kelompok untuk meningkatkan kemampuan komunikasi interpersonal siswa Komunikasi interpersonal akan berjalan dengan lancar apabila siswa sebagai pelaku komunikasi interpersonal memiliki sikap asertif di dalam dirinya (Gumilang, 2015). Sikap asertif dapat dipahami sebagai suatu sikap berani dalam mengungkapkan hak-hak pribadi, mengekspresikan pikiran dan perasaan, serta keyakinan siswa secara langsung dan tepat sasaran serta tidak melanggar hak-hak orang lain (Powell & Newgent, 2011 Assertiveness atau ketegasan memungkinkan seseorang bertindak sesuai kepentingan terbaik mereka sendiri untuk membela diri tanpa mendapat kecemasan untuk mengekspresikan hak pribadi dan tanpa menyangkal hak orang lain (Nelaval, Deepika, & Babu, 2015). Setelah mengikuti assertiveness training, perilaku keterbukaan diri siswa dalam melakukan komunikasi interpersonal semakin meningkat (Samantaray, Mohapatra, & Singh, 2016).…”

Student Theoretical Beliefs at the Beginning and End of a Counseling Theories Course

“…Cognitive theories are also highly endorsed by psychologists (Norcross et al, 2005). Other research on mental health professionals gives directive and action-based theories (e.g., cognitive, behavioral, solution-focused) a slight edge when compared to insight-oriented (e.g., humanistic, psychodynamic, experiential) (Powell & Newgent, 2011).…”

“…Each of the studies has categorized theoretical organization in different ways. Studies have listed theories individually (Boswell et al, 2007;Norcross et al, 2002Norcross et al, , 2005 while others have categorized groups of theories such as directive and nondirective (Sumari et al, 2009), insight-oriented and action-based (Powell & Newgent, 2011), or behavioral/ cognitive and affective (Freeman et al, 2007). In some cases, particular theories have been grouped in opposing categories.…”

“…In some cases, particular theories have been grouped in opposing categories. For example, psychodynamic theory has been listed with affective theories in an insight-oriented category (Powell & Newgent, 2011) and listed with thought-based theories in a behavioral and cognitive category (Freeman et al, 2007). The research on theory endorsement has presented data in terms of specific theoretical orientations, whether listed separate or categorizes based on theory commonalities (e.g., affective, cognitive).…”

“…Research on theory selection has supported the important role of the counselor's unique personal qualities (Poznanski & McLennan, 2003). Among experienced clinicians, there is evidence to suggest that counselors choose the theory that best reflects their personal philosophies, beliefs, values (Bitar, Bean, & Bermudez, 2007;Fear & Woolfe, 1999;Norcross & Prochaska, 1983;Vasco & Dryden, 1994;Worthington & Dillon, 2003); psychological types (Varlami & Bayne, 2007); as well as their cognitive and emotional styles (Barrio Minton & Myers, 2008;Powell & Newgent, 2011). Taken together, this research suggests that theory selection is not based on one variable; rather, it is a complex process that entails multiple elements.…”