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The Development of Counseling and Psychotherapy

Satisfactory Essays

Introduction It is important to note from the onset that though the development of theories relating to counseling and psychotherapy was still taking place at the beginning of the 20th century, it is believed that the foundation for the same was laid long before this period. In that regard, Sigmund Freud's contribution to the counseling and psychotherapy field cannot be overstated especially when it comes to the study of the human mind. In this text, I concern myself with counseling and psychotherapy and its development over time from a social, cultural as well as historical point of view. The Development of Counseling and Psychotherapy It can be noted that each theory (whether widely accepted or nor), scientific finding as well idea has a definitive origin or background. According to Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan (2012, p. 3), "this is also the case for psychotherapy and its close relatives: counseling, therapy, mental health consultation, clinical social work, and other human service activities." Laying the Foundation As I have already noted in the introductory section, Freud's contribution to the field of counseling and psychotherapy remains immense. Indeed, it can be noted that in one way or the other, the foundation of psychological therapies is firmly rooted in Freud's contributions. However, modern bodies of thought have over time contributed towards the shaping of quite a number of modern counseling and psychotherapy approaches. During the 1880s,

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