If you were a counselor working with clients who experienced a crisis, which model or approach would you use? Why?
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Title: The Person-Centered Approach: Empowering Clients in Times of Crisis
Introduction:
When working as a counselor with clients who have experienced a crisis, choosing the most effective model or approach is crucial for their recovery and growth. Among the various therapeutic approaches available, the person-centered approach stands out as a powerful and empowering method. This essay will discuss why the person-centered approach is an ideal choice for supporting clients during times of crisis, highlighting its key principles and benefits.
Thesis Statement:
The person-centered approach is the preferred model for counseling clients in crisis due to its emphasis on empathy, unconditional positive regard, and the belief in clients’ inherent capacity for self-healing and personal growth.
Body:
Empathy as a Catalyst for Healing:
The person-centered approach places great importance on empathy, which involves understanding and sharing the feelings of another person. During a crisis, clients often need someone who can truly understand their pain and provide emotional support. By actively listening and showing genuine empathy, counselors create a safe space for clients to express their emotions freely, facilitating healing and fostering a sense of trust and connection.
Unconditional Positive Regard:
Another key principle of the person-centered approach is offering unconditional positive regard. This involves accepting clients without judgment, regardless of their past or current circumstances. In times of crisis, individuals may be struggling with guilt, shame, or self-doubt. By providing unconditional positive regard, counselors help clients develop self-acceptance and build resilience. This non-judgmental atmosphere empowers clients to explore their emotions and experiences openly, promoting personal growth and self-discovery.
Belief in Clients’ Inherent Capacity for Healing:
Central to the person-centered approach is the belief that individuals possess an innate capacity for self-healing and personal growth. Crisis situations can leave clients feeling helpless and overwhelmed. However, by fostering an environment that recognizes their inherent strengths and abilities, counselors can instill hope and empower clients to take control of their own lives. This approach encourages clients to tap into their inner resources and develop coping strategies that align with their unique needs and values.
Collaborative Relationship:
The person-centered approach emphasizes the importance of a collaborative relationship between the counselor and client. Throughout the counseling process, clients are encouraged to actively participate in decision-making and goal-setting. In times of crisis, involving clients in this collaborative process can provide them with a sense of agency and control over their recovery. This shared responsibility enhances the client’s sense of autonomy, self-efficacy, and overall well-being.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, when working with clients who have experienced a crisis, the person-centered approach is an effective and empowering model for promoting healing and growth. By embodying empathy, providing unconditional positive regard, and fostering belief in clients’ inherent capacity for self-healing, counselors can create an environment where clients feel supported, understood, and empowered to navigate their way through difficult times. Through collaborative relationships, clients become active agents in their own recovery process, ultimately leading to long-term positive change.
