In this lesson, we are introduced to a foundational theoretical framework to apply to financial counseling specifically addressing financial therapy - or the psychology of financial wellness. In the assigned reading by Ford, Baptist, and Archuleta, they introduce the FFEM to guide financial counselors in their sessions with clients. They propose the model in response to, "Although financial therapy has been conceptualized as the integration of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, relational, and economic aspects of financial health (Financial Therapy Association, 2011), financial planners have very little to no training to help clients with the emotional and relational factors related to finances (Klontz, Kahler, & Klontz, 2008). These professionals often have limited empirical and theoretical grounding in their work with clients who are challenged with financial behavior issues (Archuleta & Grable, 2010)." In addition to proposing the model, Ford, Baptist, and Archuleta also give a summary of another important difference between the financial advisor and the financial counselor - the goal of empowerment. "To empower is to help individuals who feel inadequate in handling a situation to discover the capabilities that reside within them." Additionally, "Facilitating empowerment makes it possible for individuals to utilize that power and strength when engaging with themselves, others, and with society and its various institutions (Blanchard et el., 2001)." Said simply, the goal of the financial advisor is to manage the client's money for as long as practical, where the goal of the financial counselor is to enable the client to manage their finances by themselves. In your own words, describe what is happening in the financial counseling relationship during each of the four stages of the Ford Financial Empowerment Model. (8 pts) Once you finish your description, advance the discussion of one other student's description. (2 pts).

1. In this lesson, we are introduced to a foundational theoretical framework to apply to financial
counseling specifically addressing financial therapy - or the psychology of financial wellness. In
the assigned reading by Ford, Baptist, and Archuleta, they introduce the FFEM to guide financial
counselors in their sessions with clients. They propose the model in response to, "Although
financial therapy has been conceptualized as the integration of cognitive, emotional, behavioral,
relational, and economic aspects of financial health (Financial Therapy Association, 2011),
financial planners have very little to no training to help clients with the emotional and relational
factors related to finances (Klontz, Kahler, & Klontz, 2008). These professionals often have
limited empirical and theoretical grounding in their work with clients who are challenged with
financial behavior issues (Archuleta & Grable, 2010)." In addition to proposing the model, Ford,
Baptist, and Archuleta also give a summary of another important difference between the
financial advisor and the financial counselor - the goal of empowerment. "To empower is to help
individuals who feel inadequate in handling a situation to discover the capabilities that reside
within them." Additionally, "Facilitating empowerment makes it possible for individuals to
utilize that power and strength when engaging with themselves, others, and with society and its
various institutions (Blanchard et el., 2001)." Said simply, the goal of the financial advisor is to
manage the client's money for as long as practical, where the goal of the financial counselor is to
enable the client to manage their finances by themselves. In your own words, describe what is
happening in the financial counseling relationship during each of the four stages of the Ford
Financial Empowerment Model. (8 pts) Once you finish your description, advance the discussion
of one other student's description. (2 pts)