Psychology, Existential And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

The theoretical frameworks I most relate to are Holistic therapy, Cognitive Behavioral therapy, and Gestalt therapy. I intend to blend elements from multiple therapeutic approaches so that I may benefit my clients in the best way possible. Dated back to the era of Hippocrates, the holistic method has focused on improving the wellbeing and mental wellness of individuals. Holistic therapy emphasizes the significance of being balanced and whole. The role of the Holistic counselor is to assist the client in understanding “their emotions, thoughts, physical experiences, and spiritual understandings” (Holistic Psychotherapy, 2016). I intend to use the Holistic approach with my population because it is an alternative perspective for understanding

As a counseling student, it is very important to formulate a counseling theory tailored to ones’ own personality and beliefs. A counselor may choose a single theory to model when practicing therapy or pick and choose components and techniques from various theories, otherwise known as eclecticism. No theory is considered right or wrong. Understanding the different therapeutic approaches are important to effective counseling, however, counselors must also understand their own personal value, view of human nature, human behavior, counseling techniques and the purpose and goals of counseling. Understanding these components along with the different theoretical approaches will provide the counselor with a 9 knowledge of their own counseling, orientation and is essential to not only the productivity of counseling but the growth of the counselor as well.

Different counseling theories, such as psychoanalytic, Adlerian, client-centered therapy, existential psychotherapy, gestalt therapy, and reality therapy can be applied to different clinical settings and populations by a counselor or therapist (Rayner & Vitali, 2015). The purpose of this paper is to apply a counseling theory, existential therapy, to the provided case study of Paul, a 34-year-old male with work inhibition, but yearns for more in his life. Essentially, counseling theories can be used a foundation for counselor’s or therapist’s work with clients. It is one of the most unique forms of counseling theories that aims at exploring the psychological and emotional challenges faced by a client from a philosophical perspective, particularly

My preferred theoretical orientation is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The main assumption of CBT is that events and situations in life do not cause emotional problems (e.g., guilt or depression); rather problems are due to irrational beliefs and perceptions about the situations (Corey, 2009). The goals of CBT focus on correcting the client’s automatic and self-defeating thoughts, which should ultimately help them to develop a more adaptive philosophy of life (Corey, 2009). I like that this approach focuses on challenging and changing the client’s cognitive distortions, core beliefs, automatic thoughts, and schemas. Another positive aspect is that this approach focuses on the cognitive triad,

When i decided to pursue a career in counseling a concern of mine was how was I going to remember so many theories and be effective in helping my clients as a counselor. It was this course that i was introduced to the development of my therapeutic orientation, and am relieved to know that the process is one that will most likely never stop changing. As I continue to develop my theories orientation, my own values, beliefs, perceptions, and ideas will continue to factor into my choices. I have noticed a common theme in the tenets of the theories that I am drawn to, such as empowerment, self-actualization, self awareness, the past, spirituality, gender role socialization and others. What i have noticed is that i am drawn to theories such as Cognitive Behavior therapy, Person-Centered Approach, the Feminist Theory, Rational Emotive Therapy, as well as Transpersonal Therapy.

The end of the semester has arrived and this research paper is designed to give insight into my own personal theoretical orientation in the counseling field. The problem is that I am still undecided in that respect. I thought that I had a clear and concise choice; however, there are bits and pieces of almost every theory that might provide a resolution to client’s situation. It was Carl Rogers’s person centered therapy which I found was the theoretical approach for me. When the midterm exam was administered there was a question which asked “Which of the theories covered so far is the one that you lean towards.” I was quick and did not even think twice when I answered Carl Rogers’ person centered therapy was my choice theoretical orientation.

Existential therapists view themselves as companions; not someone who is going teach and lead the individual to change because they view therapy as a journey client and therapist go through together. Each learning from one another and each having the same room and opportunity for growth. Van Deurzen explains “these practitioners prefer description, understanding, and exploration of the client’s subjective reality, as opposed to diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis” (as cited in Cory, 2013, p. 157). Meaning therapy is one example of an existential technique that incorporates evidence-based practices. Meaning therapy equips therapists with principles that help them empower clients to face their personal struggles, seek meaning in their life, and the tools to overcome those blocks preventing them from true happiness (Wong, 2010, p. 92). Even though therapists may borrow techniques from other models it is not a technique-oriented approach which is the complete opposite of CBT; “this is an active, directive, time-limited, present-centered, psychoeducational, structured therapy” (Cory, 2013, p. 485).

After reflecting on the Existential Therapy, I have a better understanding of what it means to be human. I believe that in the existential theory, each individual has their own unique set of variables that influence or contribute to their current state of being. I thought about how, I am free and totally responsible for my choices and actions. I learned that the existential theory is an attitude toward human suffering that has no manual. I do agree with the existential theorist on view human behavior, by exploring mortality, the meaning of freedom, responsibility, anxiety, despair, grief, loneliness and isolation.

.The theories refer to the principles and theory of how different forms of counselling should work, it

While learning about the different types of theoretical models of counseling, I learned that I like to use different ones. I actually pull from the different models of counseling. Based on the Theoretical Orientation Scale, there are two models that I would like to use which are Integrative Theoretical Approach and Strength Based Therapy

This paper investigates the relationship between fundamental conceptions and considerations of several major theories that personally resonate with me. Included in these resonating theories, I will discuss how Existential Psychotherapy, Person Centered Therapy (PCT), Gestalt, and Cognitive- Behavior therapy (CBT) can be equally supplemental when respected as harmonizing functions in a more comprehensive integrative therapeutic methodology. Through research, classes, and life experience I have developed a viewpoint that fits my personality and personal style. It can be reasoned that existential therapy, defined as a phenomenological philosophy of humanness answers the more profound questions of meaning, fits well with PCT that centers itself

Experiential therapy was developed through the humanistic-existentialist movement during the 1960’s. During the development of experiential therapy it pulled from; Gestalt therapy, psychodrama, client-centered, and encounter-group movement. Within experiential therapy it pulls from the following approaches; satir growth model, symbolic-experiential therapy, emotionally focused couples therapy, and internal family systems. The thought process in this therapy is that it is indiviual and family focused, it is able to create warmth, empathy, and rapport with the therapist. Experiential therapy is also thought to be individual and family focused. Experiential therapy focused on 5 main communication stances which are the clients defense stances when under stress. These stances are congruent, placator, blamer, super reasonable, and irrelevant. These stances can help a client acknowledge or minimize three realities self, other and context. For a client or family to have effective change with this model they must go through the six stage model of change. In these stages a families homeostasis is knocked off balance due to event, life crisis or change. As the family is navigating trough this crisis they are in a state off chaos as they don 't know what is ahead. Once the chaos has calmed then the family can look at integrating change and new possibilities. Between chaos and integration is where a therpist can be most affective in helping them too

Existential therapy is well known for it’s anti-technique orientation. It uses description, understanding, and exploration of a person’s inter-relational reality of the world to diagnose and treat the patient. Instead of employing specific techniques, strategies or skills, therapists follow a specific philosophical method of investigation. This method requires that therapists maintain a consistent personal attitude. These attitudes are not set in stone but usually involves and incorporates some of the following. First, cultivating a naïve attitude, means meeting the client with an open mind consistently, and with the intention of exploration and discovery. This helps develop a fresh perspective of the world and eventually will reveal itself.

This paper investigated the relationship between fundamental concepts and considerations of several prominent theories that directly resonated with the author. Included in these pivotal theories; a discussion of how Existential Psychotherapy, Person Centered Therapy (PCT), Gestalt, and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) could be augmented and integrated into a comprehensive approach to therapy when valued as harmonizing functions of personality. The theories were explored in relation to personality development, distress, effective functioning, and motivation and how the therapeutic relationship, counseling process, and interventions remained effective. Through research, course work, and life experience, the author developed a viewpoint that

Existential and person centered therapies are similar in the respect they believe in focusing on the client. Although, existential therapy explores themes such as mortality, anxiety, and the person’s current struggles. Even though person centered therapy believes in several of the same concepts, person centered therapists believe people are trustworthy and know themselves best. Therefore, people know what is best for them and can resolve their own problems without direct intervention (Corey, 2017). As a professional counselor, both modalities are essential tools to be able to use when needed.