Evaluating Historical Theories Of Counseling

It was Eleanor Roosevelt who stated, "A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably” (Roosevelt). There is a great deal of truth in her statement. However, there are at least four additional characteristics that every well-functioning, effective person possesses. 1) An effective individual should demonstrate a life of integrity, committed to the truth despite how much it may hurt; and willing to speak truth into the lives of others even when it is humiliating and difficult. (A lesson learned from a very valued professor of mine.) 2) He is responsible and accountable for his own actions; and without blame, nor excuse, accepts the resulting circumstances and consequences. With humility, he willingly admits it when wrong. 3) An effective person must develop a learner’s attitude; and have a teachable spirit. He is willing to listen and expand his perspective; and able to keep an open mind. A mind that is receptive counsel, and responds to reproof. 4) A well-functioning person is available, open to interruption and accessible to others. He values and cherishes time well spent with people, and sets priorities and strives to maintain them. This is my purpose, my responsibility, my calling and I will strive to carry out all of

The timeline in Fig 1.2 showing “events, high points and key moments in counseling history” since the beginning of the 20th century both interested and surprised me in several ways. Firstly, I was surprised to learn that, rather than evolving slowly in parallel with the medical profession in general in response to the needs of the mentally ill (perhaps more descriptive of the field of psychiatry), counseling as a profession was in fact pioneered by Frank Parsons, or at least by the vocational guidance movement that he represented (Granello, 2012, p. 14). It is interesting to me that career guidance is still an important part of counseling, (Granello, 2012, p. 18) since Frank Parsons struggled with this personally and identified it as a need in society. On consideration, I realize that it makes a great deal of sense that finding an enjoyable and appropriate career has a huge impact on personal well-being, and therefore one’s mental health. Frank Parsons identified an important aspect of society (lack of education regarding suitable professions) that he felt might contribute to its dysfunction, and wrote a number of books, including “Choosing a Vocation” (Granello, 2012, p. 14). Although at first this seemed to me a surprising initiator of the Counseling profession, it is probably quite a natural one.

The philosophy that underlies the counseling profession is unique among mental health professionals. According to Remley & Herlihy (2014), the philosophy is made up of four components. First, counselor 's view mental health challenges through a positive, wellness-oriented lens. The primary goal of the wellness model is for the client to achieve the highest degree of mental health possible. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers follow the medical model of mental health. The goal of these clinicians is to cure the client’s illness, which differs drastically from counselor’s view of clients.

Over the last 100 years, the underpinning concepts in the fields of psychology and counseling were wrought. Within this period, these concepts have transformed and evolved from somewhat crude conceptions of the psyche toward more holistic interventions and approaches. As the profession continues to move forward, adaptations of the original theorists regarding the nature of man and the development of personality continue to emerge. These adaptations, along with the integration of new concepts and ideas, continue to contribute to the field. The author describes his view of man and human nature, personality development, and explores potential implications for counseling.

I believe counseling is a collaborative partnership between client and counselor. Furthermore, this collaborative partnership is built from trust and acceptance of both client and counselor. I hope in conjunction with clients to understand the issues and concerns so to help them tap into their wisdom, creativity, and strengths to meet their current challenges. I believe in a comprehensive perspective through which clients can better comprehend themselves in the framework that our thinking about events can lead to emotional and behavioral upset. Moreover, counselors are to provide a safe environment for clients to explore their challenges and identify ways to move differently in overcoming these challenges.

Transference-focused psychotherapy – tries to help the person understand why they are feeling the way they are and the difficulties it may have caused with social/family relationships.

Since the field of modern psychology is extremely broad, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of counseling theories. Over the past hundred years many new theories have been developed by psychologists, all with the goal of helping patients in the most effective and efficient way possible. One counseling theory that is gaining recognition

We are in a time where countless individuals are under extreme forms of stress, etc. The National Alliance on Mental Health cites nearly Approximately 1 in 5 adults in the U.S., or 43.8 million, experiences mental illness in each year. Minority growth is increasing at a rapid pace in the United States. There is a growing need for culturally competent, sensitive therapists can interact with various diverse ethnic groups, LGBTQ, and the disabled. Unfortunately, understanding culture and being sensitive to the issues of that culture is often challenging for a counselor. Self-awareness is a critical component to being able to help minority clients.

Britzman and Pitt (1996) described transference as impression of unresolved past conflict with others that is projected into the new interaction and relationship. Usher (2013) suggested that transference occurs when the client makes fabricated connection to the therapist. Freud proposed that transference occurs unconsciously in two ways: Template is when the client attempts to categorises all their later relationship based on the earlier relationship; and repetition compulsion is when the client replays traumatic past relationship or situation (Kahn, 2003). For example, if a client has a critical mother, then, they will categorise all women of certain age and characteristics to that template. And client sees the therapist as the critical mother and repetition causes them to act in certain ways to get the reaction they want from the therapist. Freud found that transference occurs everywhere, and it is not isolated to just therapy setting.

As a counselor in training, my personal perspective on counseling has expanded. Throughout years of learning and experience, I have developed an extensive personal view of human nature and behaviors. Many of my viewpoints come from an amalgam of personal, Person-Centered and Cognitive-Behavioral philosophies. Topics such as motivation and freewill will be discussed as they relate to my personal perspective of counseling. This paper expounds on positive and negative behaviors developed as well as how the mind plays major roles in these developments. Counselors have opportunities to assist individuals therapeutically with the help of counseling techniques. These techniques aid clients’ understanding of the capabilities they have to change, thus

When I first starting to read the chapters I never thought that there would be five theories that I could see myself using with my clients. I learned from this paper how even though my clients are coming to me for personal counseling and not necessary career counseling these theories are ones I need to know about. I am going to have clients who will have career problems and now I have tools to help them work through them. I can see myself using these theories with children as many pointed out that your career story starts from a young age.

Counseling is a process that enables a person to sort out issues and reach decisions affecting their life. Often counseling is sought out at times of change or crisis, it need not be so, however, as counseling can also help us at any time of our life” (Woods, 2005). Counseling theories are used by counselors as part of their treatment plan for clients. There are many types of theories that counselors can choose from. These theories are usually hosen based on the client needs and what the counselor feel will be most effective. Counselors are not limited to just one theory when it comes to treating their clients. Theories can be used in conjunction with one another to effectively treat clients. Counseling does not just involve theories

This is an overview of personal thoughts regarding the views of human nature and goals made therapeutically as a professional counselor. The paper will include a description of my therapeutic process and evaluations of other theories which I believe to share common ground with and other theories I do not agree with. The roles and duties of a counselor will be clarified. The relationship between the counselor and client will be illuminated, regarding what the relationship should consist of. There will be shared insight on what is believed to bring about changes in behavior.

* Perception of problems. Clients start off believing it is other people that have the problem but gradually come to terms with their own issues and no longer fear them.

This quarter’s course of “theories of counseling” felt like a whirlwind of theories, theorist, therapeutic techniques, and proper application of theoretical framework to help counsel students. As the course continued each new theory and therapy style I learned about seemed more appealing and useful than the last. In deciding which therapy styles I would favor using I have to take into account the general demographic of the students and communities I wish to work in. I plan to work with middle school to high school students that are from urban low social economic status and are recent arrivals to the country. Some of the characteristics of obstacles these students and families face daily are, single parent home/income, past/recent trauma, history of low family education level and legal trouble. I am fortunate to live in the community and society I want to help and that I have grown up in. I am equally blessed to be raised and have the opportunity to give back to my community and society the best way I know how by giving back in a positive manner.