CRC 2 Counseling and Development Theories

Jun 11, 2025

Overview

This lecture provides a comprehensive review of counseling theories, techniques, evidence-based practices, human development theories, and rehabilitation approaches relevant to the CRC exam.

Counseling Practices, Supervision, and Evidence-Based Practice

  • Treatment planning involves assessment, goal setting, identifying objectives, and selecting interventions in five structured steps.
  • Effective counselors need communication, concatenation, continuity, and basic micro-skills (e.g., attending, paraphrasing, summarizing).
  • The working alliance consists of goals, tasks, and bonds built on trust and collaboration.
  • Evidence-based psychiatric rehabilitation focuses on recovery through health, home, purpose, and community, guided by hope, respect, person-driven services, and trauma-informed care.
  • Common counseling approaches include BSFT, motivational interviewing, person-centered, existential, Gestalt, behavioral, CBT, REBT, psychoanalytic, and Adlerian theories.
  • Clinical supervision ensures service quality and professional growth through support, consultation, training, and evaluation (indirect/direct, present/delayed).
  • Evidence-based practice requires research utilization, protocol development, assessment, and ongoing results evaluation.

Behavior and Personality Theories & Human Development

  • Classical conditioning (Pavlov, Watson), operant conditioning (Skinner), and attachment (Harlow, Spitz) are foundational behavior theories.
  • Major personality theories: psychoanalytic (Freud), hierarchy of needs (Maslow), psychosocial stages (Erikson), dream analysis (Jung), and cognitive development (Piaget).
  • Piaget: four stages of cognitive development—sensory-motor, pre-operational, concrete operational, formal operational.
  • Kohlberg: three stages of moral development—pre-conventional, conventional, post-conventional.
  • Gestalt Theory (Perls): figure-ground relationship and five neuroses layers.
  • Debates include nature vs. nurture and continuous vs. discontinuous development.
  • Vygotsky and Bandura highlight the importance of social, cultural, and observational factors in development.

Human Growth, Development, and Response to Disability

  • Freud’s psychosexual stages and Erikson’s psychosocial stages detail key developmental tasks and conflicts.
  • Bandura’s social learning states that modeling and observed consequences impact behavior.
  • Vygotsky’s theory emphasizes social interaction, language, and the “zone of proximal development.”
  • Models for response to disability include rights approach, stage models, ecological/integrative models, quality of life, and family response.

Rehabilitation and Counseling Techniques for Specific Populations

  • Individualized Placement and Support (IPS) helps those with psychological disabilities via place-and-train methods.
  • CBT and BSFT are frequently used for psychological disability treatment.
  • Substance use treatments include outpatient, methadone, and residential programs with several theoretical models (moral, disease, genetic, psychological).
  • Evidence-based practices for substance use: CBT, motivational enhancement, family behavioral therapy, matrix model, motivational interviewing.
  • PTSD treatment includes trauma-focused counseling, CPT, EMDR, and prolonged exposure.
  • Workplace socialization skills require assessment, feedback, practice, and education about group dynamics.
  • Job placement, job seeking skills training, direct placement, supported employment, feedback interviews, job skills training, and customized employment are key vocational interventions.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Treatment Planning — Setting client goals, objectives, and strategies for rehabilitation.
  • IPS — Individualized Placement and Support, a supported employment model.
  • Motivational Interviewing — Counseling style to enhance motivation for change.
  • CBT — Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; changes negative thoughts/behaviors.
  • Classical Conditioning — Learning by association (Pavlov).
  • Operant Conditioning — Learning through rewards/punishments (Skinner).
  • Zone of Proximal Development — Vygotsky’s gap between current and potential ability with support.
  • Supported Employment — Competitive job placement with training and follow-up.
  • Customized Employment — Tailoring a job to match abilities and employer needs.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review module learning objectives and practice associating theories with their key concepts.
  • Study terms and definitions for the CRC exam.
  • Prepare for practical application of counseling and rehabilitation techniques.