Existential-humanistic perspectives on Canine Behavioral Counseling, and the role of creativity in the counseling practice
by Merin, Michal, M.A., SAYBROOK GRADUATE SCHOOL AND RESEARCH CENTER, 2011, 99 pages; 1505102

Abstract:

This thesis is a proposal to integrate existential-humanistic psychotherapy and creativity, into the practice of Canine Behavioral Counseling using case studies to demonstrate these processes. Canine Behavioral Counseling is a type of counseling psychology for dogs with behavioral issues. Existential challenges as delineated by Yalom are related to dogs and their experience in the world. They can be used to interpret their behaviors and thus resolve problems. Guardians can easily understand that their dogs have existential challenges and this enhances their process. Existential-humanistic counseling is also crucial to these cases. Being present with and listening to clients as they express their concerns creates a strong therapeutic alliance, increasing likelihood of successful outcomes. Creativity is a major part of the work involved in Canine Behavioral Counseling. Teaching a dog to be creative is used to enrich the lives of canines and dispel fear and anxiety. Counselors themselves must be creative in their responses and techniques in order to retain client alliances and help clients through their process. Giving clients and dogs creativity skills allows for them to respond to their dog's existential crises successfully. Case studies, compiled from archived data, are presented to illustrate how this framework functions in the counseling situation and what types of outcomes can happen. The difficult challenge of death anxiety, presenting in dogs as aggressive behavior, may be managed via appropriate treatment. Dogs in several cases have behavioral problems related to the existential challenge of aloneness/community. These are resolved using socialization and creativity in conjunction.

 
AdvisersThomas Greening; Steven Pritzker
SchoolSAYBROOK GRADUATE SCHOOL AND RESEARCH CENTER
SourceMAI/ 50-04, p. , Jan 2012
Source TypeThesis
SubjectsBehavioral sciences; Animal behavior; Counseling psychology
Publication Number1505102
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