Three of the Main Counselling Approaches

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KEY CONCEPTS FROM THE THREE ‘ROOTS’ OF COUNSELLING: HUMANISTIC, COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL, PSYCHODYNAMIC.

Humanistic Approach or Person Centred Counselling.

The Humanistic Approach emerged as a reaction to Psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies in the 1950’s. It is often referred to as the ‘third force’ in psychology as it came after Psychoanalysis and Behaviourism. The two major names associated with this approach are Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Carl Rogers maintained that an individual could recognise their strengths and be able to self-direct or self-heal in therapy while recognising self growth, responsibility and autonomy. Abraham Maslow developed his theory evaluating healthy individuals and recognising that when someone’s needs are met in the correct order it allows them self actualisation thus being a fully able person.

Carl Rogers expanded on this theory as he felt that in addition to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchical needs, in order for the person to fully develop they needed to be in a genuine environment where they could open up and feel unconditionally accepted and understood to fully realize their potential. This environment would provide them with core conditions:-

Congruence: - being transparent or genuine within the Person centered relationship this shows the client that the counsellor accepts them on an equal stance and there is no pretence, enabling openness thus allowing the client a deeper insight into themselves as the counsellor will never attempt to deceive the client but will bring their perceptions of their behaviour into the open and be able to discuss it supportively.

Unconditional Positive Regard: - meaning the counsellor accepts the client unconditionally and non-judgementally...

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...he pleasure principle it does not care about reality or the needs of others only its own satisfaction and desires. As we grow and interact with the world the second part of our personality grows and is known by the ego this is the anal stage of development. The ego is based on reality and recognizes that others have needs and being impulsive can hurt us in the long run. It’s the egos job to meet the needs of the id whilst also taking into consideration the reality of the situation and not give in to all the id desires. As we grow older our ego is developed and shaped by influences in our environment. At the end of the phallic stage of development the super-ego develops, this is the moral part of us and develops through right and wrong restraints shown to us by our caregivers or parents. This part is responsible for criticisms and moralizing in our lives.

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