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three theoretical approaches counseling
main theoretical approaches counseling
an essay on the major theories on counseling
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To conceptualize, choose, and use effectively a distinct theoretical approach, a therapist really needs to conceptualize change, define his values, and articulate their core beliefs about other people. It's good to be exposed to a variety of theories in order to have a solid base when working with clients. After all, a theory provides the counselor with a framework that they can use to explore the counseling process, the client’s problems, and to measure progress. Theories are very diverse and unique to each therapist. A key component to choosing a theoretical orientation lies within a therapist’s view of how people change and to which theoretical approach matches that view of change. Counselors lean towards utilizing those theories …show more content…
For most people it’s hard to conceptualize, but you must let go of where you are to get to where you are going. However, the process of change has its intricacies. Balancing all the components is where the real challenge of being a great therapist is found. By diversity, I mean every person has their own story, their own values, and their own situations of why they need to change. There are five stages of change, three reasons to change, and several ways therapist can motivate change. No matter what stage, what reason, or what motivation one possesses, I strongly believe that clients are the primary agents of change and it is therapists job to determine which stage, reason, or motivational factor will encourage that …show more content…
Person-centered therapy, however, appears to be slightly less effective than other forms of humanistic therapy in which therapists offer more advice to clients and suggest topics to explore. An effective therapist must be grounded, centered, present, focused, patient, and accepting. Another discrepancy that needs to be noted is the model has less evidence- based research, more susceptible to countertransference, and sometimes an unproductive attachment may occur between the client and therapist. With this in my mind, that is why I have chosen to structure and modify PCT with other theoretical approaches in order to establish more stability and
In B. L. Duncan, S. D. Miller, B.E. Wampold, & M.A. Hubble (Eds.), The heart and soul of change: Delivering what works in therapy (2nd ed., pp. 143-166). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
Halbur, D. A., & Halber, K. V. (2015). Developing your theoretical orientation in counseling and psychotherapy (3rd ed). Hoboken, NJ: Pearson Education.
My theory will include both directive and non-directive approaches, focusing on building a supportive client-therapist relationship, a full lifestyle assessment and understanding of the client’s belief system, as well as engaging in a strength based, goal-oriented practice which focuses on changing thoughts and choices, through education to the client and building self-regulation within the
Kottler, J. A., & Montgomery, M. J. (2011). Theories of counseling and therapy: An experiential approach. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE publications, INC.
As this book points out, and what I found interesting, the therapeutic relationship between therapist and client, can be even more important than how the therapy sessions are conducted. A therapists needs to be congruent. This is important because a client needs a sense of stability. To know what is expected from him or her while being in this transitional period of change. In some cases this congruency may be the only stability in his life, and without it, there is no way of him trusting in his t...
Sharf, R. S. (2008). Theories of Psychotherapy and Counseling: Counseling and Cases (5thed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole
This assignment is an attempt to discuss two different theories of Behavior Theory and Solution-Focused Therapy from the text book “Theories for Direct Social Work Practice” by Joseph Walsh.
While CBT has many advantages, it alone does not encompass all of the concepts I believe are necessary to tackle a client’s needs. Therefore, I draw upon concepts from various theories to assist clients in achieving their goals. Pulling from Reality therapy, a key concept I utilize is focusing on what the client is doing and how to get them to evaluate whether they’re present actions are working for them. CBT does use some form of this in the sense that one must examine and establish their cognitive misconceptions; however, I prefer to extract this concept from Reality therapy because CBT tends to do so by focusing on the past. I am a firm believer that while the past can shape who you are, it does little good to remain focused on it. Focusing on overt behavior, precision in specifying the goals of treatment, development of specific treatment plans, and objective evaluation of therapy outcomes all come from Behavior therapy (Corey, 2013, p. 474). Behavior therapy is highly structured much like that of CBT. By utilizing this aspect of Behavior therapy, I am better able to closely observe where a client is currently and where they are headed. Lastly, I pull from Person-Centered therapy as the final key concept of my counseling approach. PCT focuses on the fact that client’s have the potential to become aware of their problems and resolve them (Corey, 2013). This Person-Centered therapy concept has overlap with CBT as
“Modest goals are seen as the beginning of change”. Clients talking about the exceptions to the problems. No problem is constant and change is inevitable. When clients begin to truly change their views and become more positive about their situation they have engaged in change. Positivity concerning their strengths leads to the more desireable outcome which is a brief series of sessions. Small changes make way for larger changes.
My theoretical orientation can best be described as a mixture of Person-centered therapy and feminist therapy. Where person-centered therapy is all about being aware of oneself and feminist therapy encourages personal empowerment. Those two together create a great theme of evolving to become something greater in life. I believe that human behavior is a result of feeling like you, have a sense of belonging in the world. Similar to what Maslow’s hierarchy, people need to feel a sense of love in order to be happy and confident in one’s self. Once they are content with themselves as result, they will project that same love towards others. When considering my approach, I want clients to be authentic and confident in who they are. The individual
Motivational interviewing is based on a client centered approach to therapy that uses open-ended questions, affirmation, reflective listening and summaries to help the client recognize the pros and cons of change and their reasons for resisting change thereby eliminating their ambivalence about change. Once the client deals with their ambivalence the Miller and Rollick believe that the client will be able to make the necessary changes. In addition, motivational interviewing gets the client to argue for change not the counselor. Furthermore, the client not the counselor is responsible for their progress.
Seligman, L., & Reichenberg, L. W. (2014). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Systems, Strategies, and Skills (4th Edition). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Furthermore, my goal is to let client fix their problems on their own through insight and guidance from the therapist. I envision a successful therapeutic process being when a client follows their goals and achieves positive outcomes in their lives. I seek to gain a therapeutic process with my clients by building rapport, trust, and helping them gain insight. When my clients are stuck and need motivation, I plan to remind them about their goals and the positive things that will come with change. If family is important to a client, informing the client about their family and their happiness may help motivate them to continue to
...p their own solutions to problems. Clients may need some guidance, education, or direction depending on their abilities and how the therapy is going. It is then that I want to be able to help them feel more empowered and recognize that they can make changes with effort on their part.
The four general categories of theoretical orientations are psychodynamic approaches, experiential and relationship oriented approaches, cognitive behavioral approaches, and postmodern approaches. Psychodynamic approaches analyze the individual’s past and operate towards achieving understanding in therapy. Experiential and relationship oriented approaches focus on the significance subjective experiences and the feelings an individual has. Cognitive behavioral approaches are action oriented, focusing on thinking and doing. Postmodern approaches accentuate the understanding of the client’s emotional experience of the world and use resources within the individual for transformation. Among the four categories of theoretical orientations, there