The Four Major Theories Of Experientical Orientations

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

In existential the focus is on assisting individuals on becoming authors of their own lives with the philosophical framework of what it means to be human. Psychodrama allows individuals to explore problems through role play to develop new behavioral skills. Gestalt therapy warrants the here-and-now, bringing unfinished business to the present, allowing individuals to deal with those problems now. Person-centered approach concentrates on self-exploration, learning to accept one’s self, and determining avenues to take to change. Collectively, I found the most valuable and meaningful aspects of experiential and relationship oriented approaches to be self-exploration and bringing unfinished business to the present to help individuals deal with those problems

I believe this theory would allow me to develop an integrative approach. The theory is about accepting what it means to be human, and that we are all authors of our lives. I feel that this particular theory allows people to accept who they are, what they do, and what they believe, but helps them realize that who they are is not absolute or unchangeable, and that they can re-create themselves. In my group, in addition to my primary theory being existential, I would draw from psychoanalytic (insight on unconscious motivation), cognitive therapy (cognitive restructuring), rational emotive behavior therapy (eliminate self-defeating outlook), reality therapy (choices) and narrative therapy (separate from problems). If I had to limit myself to one supplementary theory it would be rational emotive behavior therapy. I feel that this theory would compliment existential, due to existential focusing on accepting what it means to be human, while rational emotive behavior therapy helps reduces unhealthy emotional response, and eliminates a self-defeating outlook on life. I believe that in order for one to accept what it means to be human (existential), and to become an author of their own life (existential), they need to eliminate their self-defeating outlook (REBT), and unhealthy emotional responses