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Three theoretical approaches to 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
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
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
One theme of the book that stands out is the counselor as a person and a professional. It is impossible to completely separate one’s personal and professional lives. Each person brings to the table certain characteristics of themselves and this could include such things as values, personality traits and experiences. A great point that Corey, Corey, and Callahan (2010) make is to seek personal therapy. Talking with colleagues or a therapist will keep counselors on their toes and allow them to work out any issues that may arise. This could also prevent counselors from getting into a bad situation. Another good point made in this book was counter transference. Therapists are going to have an opinion and some reactions are going to show through. It is not easy to hide one’s emotions, but a good therapist will keep the objective in sight and keep moving forward. After all, the help counselors are providing is for the client.
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.
This is a difficult question because there is an assortment of answers, which vary depending on the individual. Possibly, clients come to therapy because they are overwhelmed by problems. Considering the narrative approach clients come to therapy because of dominant discourses that have created problem saturated stories in their lives. Clients come to therapy in search of change.
One significant factor that impacted theoretical orientation is by identifying with is cognitive behavior therapy. CBT posits that one’s emotions and behaviors are often caused or derived by one’s thoughts (American Counseling Association (ACA). (2014). A professional counselors who operates from a CBT standpoint would identify a client’s struggle and plan a course of treatment to reshape their thoughts and behavior (Halbur & Halbur, 2006). As state in ACA, “if a person is depressed or anxious, then that person has certain cognitive errors or distortions that cause that person to be depressed or anxious. For example, a person experiencing severe anxiety and panic attacks might have common thoughts such as “I’m going to die” or “I can’t handle
The main theory that has largely influenced my clinical work at my current practicum site is cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT asserts it is an individual’s thoughts and behaviors that directs the individual, so in this case my job would be to help the my client (individual) to find his or her thought that is driving his or her action(s). CBT is a fine dance; it may seem simple, identify the thought and replace the thought with a healthier thought. CBT is quite contrary to being simple, the techniques and timing is a fine juggling and balance act. To elaborate further, after a client has identified his or her thought that has been driving his or her action, they would need to restructure certain things in the their life that will help implement certain behaviors that will lead to a more healthier cognition.
...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.
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.
To explain, the client should not be inferior to the counselor; the environment should be two people discussing an issue and ways to make a difference. A therapist should occasionally share similar experiences; therefore, sessions should make clients feel comfortable. To add, the client should feel safe due to the positive atmosphere the therapist brings to the session. The goal is to finally give the client a chance to be heard, regularly people are muted and feel like they are insignificant to society. Similarly, to Person-centered therapy where communication with the client is unconditionally positive. The therapist needs to genuinely care about the client needs for them to fully express themselves successfully. Furthermore, clients should be encouraging to make their own choices which model how to identify and use power responsibly. Hence, this will help the client feel more confident in everyday life when making a meaningful
“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.
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
Person-Centred Counselling established its origins in the late 1940 during a conference when Carl Rogers gave a talk entitled ‘New Concepts in Psychotherapy’. The summarisation of the talk resulted in the theory that the client in a counselling relationship should be at the center of the relationship and lead the counselling process. The Client, in effect became the expert on their life and/or problems. The fundamental belief is that an individual is capable of change, growth and fulfillment (self-concept). Person-Centred counselling looks at ‘the here and now’ and how to make changes that affect the future. Person-Centred Counselling generated a system known as the ‘Core Conditions Model’ which emphasized three key components: Empathy, Congruence and Acceptance.
...ential impediment to postmodern and CBT interventions is practitioner incompetence. Psychological harm to clients is a potential danger of interventions implemented by untrained or inexperienced therapists. Likewise, the attitude and professional maturity of the practitioner are crucial to the value of the therapeutic process. In both approaches, whether taking on the role of teacher or collaborator, the therapist’s stance is one of positive regard, caring, and being with the client. While techniques and therapeutic styles may vary between and within the postmodern and CBT counseling approaches, they both enlist the client’s diligent participation and collaboration throughout the stages of therapy to accomplish positive therapeutic outcomes.
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