Transcript Theories of Counseling - Higher Education | Pearson

Theories of Counseling:
Existential-Humanistic Tradition
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Shared Beliefs:
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Humanism views people as essentially good and growth oriented.
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If people depart from their basic nature, then they may commit bad or
destructive acts.
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If a relationship is characterized by acceptance, caring, trust and respect,
a person can regain his or her emotional and spiritual equilibrium.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Basic Assumptions:
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The Primacy of Experience: Seeks to understand personal experience.
Every individual is unique.
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Growth Orientation: People have a tendency toward growth and
actualization.
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Free Choice: People can choose what they become.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
The Healing Relationship
Healing takes place within the context of a relationship that encompasses:
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Empathy
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Advocacy
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Authenticity
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
History
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It emerged out of the 1950’s
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Abram Maslow was influential.
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Focus was on positive mental health.
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Maslow believed one could study external behavior and internal
experience.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Existential Theory
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Based in philosophy.
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Inspired by the writings of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre,
Jaspers and Buber.
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Helps people examine issues of personal meaning.
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Less about theory and more about offering perspective on the human
condition.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Victor Frankl and Logotherapy
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The genesis of logotherapy began in Auschwitz while Frankl was interned
there.
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Looks at the basis of survival and the will to live.
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Declares that “attitude” is everything.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Existential Principles
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Self Awareness: You live in the now.
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Isolation: We are born alone and die alone.
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Personal Meaning: What is the purpose for living?
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Freedom: People have fear of freedom because with freedom comes
choice and the possibility of bad decisions.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Existential Principles (continued)
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Angst: Anxiety or dread.
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Responsibility: We are responsible for our own lives.
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Death: It kills us but without it we would not know we were alive.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Disadvantages of
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It is dense, complex and difficult to master.
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There is very little guidance for the practitioner.
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You can be an existentialist but you cannot do it. It is not about technique
but your own personal stance.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Advantages of Existential Therapy
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Contemporary developments within this approach has made it more flexible
and easier to use.
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It has been adapted to briefer systems of intervention.
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It provides a theoretical framework from which to be eclectic.
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It is conducive to collaboration with the client to find a unique way of
working together.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Counseling Relationship
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Fosters genuine and authentic human connection.
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Treats people as persons instead of as objects.
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Uses the counselor’s own feelings of personal reactions and transference.
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The counselor is a participant in the process.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
The Therapeutic Process
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Being in the moment: Focusing on the here and now.
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Integrating the felt experience into primary relationships: The trust and
intimacy found within the therapeutic relationship is generalized to other
relationships.
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Making connections to the past: Clients are encouraged to relive
emotionally, past life events.
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Integrating what was learned: Being a new person in the present moment.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Client-Centered Theory
History
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Founded by Carl Rogers
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Rogers was influenced by Otto Rank, John Dewey, Martin Buber, and Laotse (Chinese Buddhism).
Basic Assumptions
Listening with the self
Empathy
Core Conditions
Active Listening
Reflecting Feelings
Safety and Trust
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Core Conditions
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Contact: Participants are open each other and mutual influence.
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Genuineness: To be authentic, congruent, human and transparent.
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Unconditional Positive Regard: Accepting a person’s core being regardless
of his or her behavior.
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Empathy: Understanding the person from within his or her experience.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Features of a Client-Centered Session
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Full and complete presence: Be fully present.
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Openness and Unconditional Positive Regard: Respecting the person but
not necessarily the acts.
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Authenticity, Genuineness, Transparency and Warmth: Being the real you
and not what you think the role of “the counselor” should be.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Features of a Client-Centered Session
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Immediacy: Focusing on the here and now in the relationship.
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Empathy and Active Listening: Reflecting content and reflecting feeling.
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Focus on Affect and Feelings: Looking at the underlying message.
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Multicultural Aspects: Clemmont Vontress
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Vontress is concerned that technique obscures the real relationship with the
client.
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Vontress postulates that “only in a situation of caring and authenticity, can
true healing and growth occur.”
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Vontress emphasized being with the client in ways that respect cultural
uniqueness.
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In addition, spirituality and the connection with the past are seen as
pertinent issues in counseling.
Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Gestalt Theory
History
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Founded by Fritz Perls
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Believed looking at the whole was more important than looking at the parts.
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Motivated to perfect a theory as different from Freud’s as possible.
Basic Tenets
The Here and Now
Awareness
Personal Awareness
Unfinished Business
Personal Responsibility
Becoming more fully alive
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Existential-Humanistic Tradition
Gestalt Techniques
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The Here and Now: Everything important happens in the present.
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Unfinished Business: Things from the past, haunt us in the present.
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Channels of Resistance: Blocks people use to preven themselves from
having contact with others.
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Choices of Language: Client’s aren’t allow to overgeneralize.
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Resources
Ivey, A. E., D’Andrea, M., Ivey, M. B. and Morgan, L. S. (2002). Theories of counseling
and psychotherapy: A multicultural perspective, 5th ed. Boston, MA.: Allyn &
Bacon.
James, R. K. & Gilliland, B. E. (2003). Theories and strategies in counseling and
psychotherapy, 5th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Kottler, J. A. (2002). Theories in counseling and therapy: An experiential approach.
Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
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