Counseling Theory

In reviewing my counseling theory class I wrote this brief description of what I learned and how I would integrate it into my practice. It give a good brief rundown of ten different theories:

I liked Adler’s concept that our interpretation of our experiences shape our personality (Corey, 2005, p. 98). This is a very profound thought and is echoed though many of the other therapies we studied. I also liked his focus on how our perception of the past and our interpretation of early events has a continuing influence on our present (Corey, 2005, p. 95). Most of the therapies do not like to look at the past, and I believe it is important to understand our past so we can ultimately let go of our future.

I would draw from Rogers person centered therapy during the beginning of my cleint-therapist relationships because I like Roger’s view of letting the client self-actualize. But, in cases like post traumatic stress disorder, the cognitive behavioral therapies my be a better approach as they allow the therapist to become more involved in the healing process of the client than just being an effective sounding board. Cognitive therapy also supports the process of revisiting the past when necessary to help our clients overcome their dysfunctional beliefs.

I liked some of the philosophical aspects of Existential therapy and it’s abstract views on human nature. These views would assist me and my client in understanding their subjective world which would help in the process of discovering their dysfunctional beliefs. I agree with them that we have to take responsibility to choose to “be” in our world, but we must help our clients discover that they can cerate a new subjective reality that would allow them to be in the present moment. The present moment is not easy to describe to those who live by doing as they may have no idea how to live by being… or what “being” even is. In order to help them “be,” I would use this and the other therapies I mentioned to help my clients look a their past, let go of their future, so they could be in the present with a healthy subjective view of reality that they have created to replace the dysfunctional beliefs of their childhood.

Gestalt therapy’s view that; instead of experiencing their feelings in the here and now, clients often talk about their feelings, almost as if their feelings were detached from their present experiencing (Corey, 2005, p. 195) is interesting. By guiding a client through their past, and creating a present that is healthy and promotes positive emotion and behavior, it could help them create a “now” awareness to bring them into the present moment where they could reattach themselves to their present feelings which are ultimately controlled by their perception.

I didn’t like Reality therapy, the thought that we are not complete without being in a relationship is not something I wish to promote in my therapy sessions. I did not like psychoanalysis, I respect him for starting the whole thing, but will not be using any of his methods. Feminist therapy was like an upgrade that could be placed on most of the therapies I found interesting, though I did like their in-depth look at how men and women are trapped in roles they were given as children, something else I could use to help my clients self actualize.

Anyway, out of each therapy I pulled several things that I found interesting and would either add to my toolbox or research further. Let’s face it, this was a lot of information in just seven weeks and I am not going to pretend I understand any of these therapies in great detail. But, I at least have an idea of which ones I will be concentrating on for further study like CBT, person centered therapy, post modern, and existential therapy. Each has a view of the human construct that I believe would be highly useful to me in dealing with those who are trying to break free of their childhood mind.

"The power of memories and expectations is such that for most human beings the past and the future are not as real, but more real than the present. The present cannot be lived happily unless the past has been "cleared up" and the future is bright with promise" (Watts, 1951, p.34)