1.

social science

noun
Definition of social science
1: a branch of science that deals with the institutions and functioning of
human society and with the interpersonal relationships of individuals as
members of society
2: a science (such as economics or political science) dealing with a
particular phase or aspect of human society

Applied science is the application of existing scientific knowledge to

practical applications, like technology or inventions.

1.1. the study of human society, a particular area of study that relates to
human behavior and society

1.2. Within natural science, disciplines that are basic science, also
called pure science, develop basic information to predict and perhaps
explain and understand phenomena in the natural world. Applied science is
the use of scientific processes and knowledge as the means to achieve a
particular practical or useful result. This includes a broad range of applied
science related fields from engineering, medicine to early childhood
education.
Applied science can also apply formal science, such
as statistics and probability theory, as in epidemiology. Genetic
epidemiology is an applied science applying both biological and statistical
methods.
1.2. Social science comes in many varieties, is comprehensive in scope, and
applied to an infinite number of real-world challenges, questions, and
problems society faces. At its core, it concerns the human condition. While
an economist, criminologist, psychologist, or sociologist may emphasize
different things about being human, and often use different methods, their
research is about people. But the people who we seek some
understandings about, or from, have lives apart from our research. In other
words, their lives overlap with what we study but are also more complex
than that. Their day-to-day living involves connections with others, a
history, setting, and sociopolitical / economic context, all of which can
change over time. Social science is messy this way.
2. Counseling is a profession dedicated to helping people experiencing
both situational and long-term problems.
When you think about mental health counseling do you imagine a long
couch and a silent doctor writing notes on his clipboard? This may have
been true in the psychoanalysis days of the well-known Sigmund Freud, but
today it is not. Counseling, often referred to as therapy, has developed
significantly through research and treatment experience by counseling
psychologists and psychiatrists. Treatment methods and techniques have
been developed through more recent counseling theories.
Counseling has many varied definitions through the field of psychology, but
a few standards are constant. Counseling is:

 performed by licensed, certified mental health counselors

 confidential
 a profession with a range of specialties within the field
 often done in an outpatient clinic or private practice
 available for families, couples and groups of people that share
symptoms
 based on scientific theories
 a personal and confidential experience
 for people with mental health problems
 for people without mental health problems
 for people with stress, anger, pain, grief or other emotional issues
 for people who just need someone safe to talk to
 a developing science
 sometimes supported with art, nature or pet therapy
 good for children, adults, the elderly, the disabled… everyone!
Counseling does not:

 mean a client is 'crazy'

 involve judgment on the clients actions
 provide a quick fix
 involve the therapist giving you answers
 have anything to do with 'shrinking' anything!
 need to go on forever
 give out your personal information without your consent

Counseling Theories and Therapies

Since the time of Freud, psychologists have developed many theories about
how best to approach helping others in counseling. Most of these theories
are based on a combination of the views of the psychologist that created
them and generally accepted psychological theories.
Some of the major counseling theories and techniques today are listed
below.

1. Psychoanalytic theories and psychoanalysis

2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy
3. Existential therapy
4. Person-centered therapy

1. As you can see, Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories of counseling

are still used today! These theories have evolved significantly since the time
of Freud, but are still used in the counseling setting. This type of therapy
often focuses on childhood memories, unconscious thoughts and feelings
and exploring a client's resistances to therapy.
2. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is one of the most widely used therapies
today. This theory is based on the idea that all problematic behaviors are
learned and thoughts and behaviors can be modified in counseling therapy.
Therapists using cognitive-behavioral theories are goal-oriented and work
with the client to modify behaviors that are causing emotional difficulty and
problems for the client.
3. Counseling using existential therapy focuses on the client's personal
experiences and personal thoughts on the meaning of life. Therapists using
existential theories believe in a client's freedom to choose their own
lifestyle free from anxiety.
4. We saved person-centered therapy for last. Also called humanistic
therapy, this person-centered method is easy to remember because it
focuses on the uniqueness of every client. Because every client is unique,
person-centered therapists may use other theories and therapies when they
apply to the client's situation. Person-centered therapy emphasizes that
humans are naturally good, positive and trustworthy. Due to this view,
these therapists focus on self-exploration with their clients.
2.1. GOALS AND SCOPE OF COUNSELLING Disciplines and Ideas in
the Applied Social Sciences

GOALS OF COUNSELLING
1. INTRODUCTION Different individuals have different perceptions
of what can be expected of counseling. Individuals preparing to
become counselors, and those who seek counseling, as well as
parents, teachers, school administrators and governmental
agencies, all differ in their expectations of the counseling
experience.
2. ENHANCING COPING SKILLS We will inevitably run into
difficulties in the process of growing up. Most of us do not
completely achieve all of our developmental tasks within a
lifetime. All of the unique expectations and requirements
imposed on us by others will eventually lead to problems. Any
inconsistencies in development can result in children learning
behaviour patterns that are both inefficient and ineffective.
Learned coping patterns, however, may not always work. New
interpersonal or occupational role demands may create an
overload and produce excessive anxiety and difficulty for the
individual.
3. IMPROVING RELATIONSHIPS Many clients tend to have major
problems relating to others due to poor self-image. Likewise,
inadequate social skills cause individuals to act defensively in
relationships. Typical social difficulties can be observed in
family, marital and peer group interaction (e.g., the troubled
elementary school child). The counselor would then strive to
help the client improve the quality of their lives by developing
more effective interpersonal relationships.
4. FACILITATING CLIENT POTENTIAL Counseling seeks to
maximize an individual’s freedom by giving him or her control
over their environment while analyzing responsiveness and
reaction to the environment. Counselors will work to help
people learn how to overcome, for example, excessive
substance use and to better take care of their bodies.
5. FACILITATING BEHAVIOUR CHANGE Most theorists indicate
that the goal of counseling is to bring about change in
behaviour that will enable the client to be more productive as
they define their life within society’s limitations. According to
Rodgers (1961), behaviour change is a necessary result of the
counseling process, although specific behaviours receive little or
no emphasis during the process.
6. PROMOTING DECISION-MAKING The goal of counseling is to
enable the individual to make critical decisions regarding
alternative courses of action without outside influence.
Counseling will help individuals obtain information, and to
clarify emotional concerns that may interfere with or be related
to the decisions involved. These individuals will acquire an
understanding of their abilities and interests. They will also
come to identify emotions and attitudes that could influence
their choices and decisions.
7. SCOPE OF COUNSELLING
8. INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING 1. Adolescent identity, concerns,
teen-parent relationships, peer relationships 2. Anxiety 3. Anger
management 4. Children’s concerns within the family unit,
 sibling relationships, school experiences, peer relationships 5.
Depression 6. Family of origin dynamics and issues 7. Gender:
identity, sexuality, homosexuality
9. INDIVIDUAL COUNSELLING 1. Relationships: personal and
interpersonal dynamics 2. Sexual abuse recovery 3. Seniors:
challenges, limitations, transitions 4. Singles: single, newly
single, single through divorce or being widowed 5. Spirituality 6.
Stress management 7. Workplace stress and relationships 8.
Young adult: identity, relationships, vocation
10. MARITAL AND PRE-MARITAL COUNSELLING 1. Marital
and relational dynamics 2. Extended family relationships 3.
Fertility issues
11. FAMILY COUNSELLING 1. Adolescent and child behaviours
within family dynamics 2. Adult children 3. Divorce and
separation issues and adjustment 4. Family dynamics:
estrangement, conflict, communication 5. Family of origin /
extended family issues 6. Life stages and transitions 7. Parenting
patterns: blended, single, co-parenting families