Notes on Theoretical Approaches to Counseling

3.0 Introduction

• Overview of theoretical approaches to counseling.
• Focus on psychoanalytic and Adlerian approaches.
• Coverage of counselor roles, goals, and techniques.

3.1 Objectives

• Discuss the need for theoretical approaches.
• Define psychoanalytic approach and differentiate it from cognitive and behavioral approaches.
• Explain views on human nature by various theories.
• Distinguish roles and techniques in counseling.

3.2 Psychoanalytic and Adlerian Approach

3.2.1 Psychoanalytic Approach

• Developed by Sigmund Freud.
• Focus on unconscious mind influencing behavior.
• View of Human Nature: Dynamic interplay between conscious, subconscious, and unconscious.
• Id, Ego, Superego: Id driven by pleasure, Ego by reality, and Superego by morals.
• Ego-Defense Mechanisms: Includes repression, projection, denial, etc.
• Role of Counselor: Acts as an expert, encourages free association, dream analysis.
• Goals: Increase awareness of unconscious, resolve developmental stages.
• Techniques: Free association, dream analysis, transference analysis.

3.2.2 Adlerian Approach

• Alfred Adler’s focus on client's subjective view of reality.
• View of Human Nature: Motivated by social interest.
• Role of Counselor: Diagnostic and interpretative role.
• Goals: Promote healthy lifestyles and social interest.
• Techniques: Confrontation, ‘Asking the question’, encouragement.

3.3 Person-Centered, Existential, and Gestalt Approaches

3.3.1 Person-Centered Approach

• Founded by Carl Rogers.
• View of Human Nature: People are inherently good, strive for self-actualization.
• Role of Counselor: Provide an empathetic and supportive environment.
• Goals: Enhance self-perception, autonomy, and self-actualization.
• Techniques: Unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, congruence.

3.3.2 Existential Approach

• Philosophical focus on meaning and self-awareness.
• View of Human Nature: Life is meaningless without self-constructed purpose.
• Role of Counselor: Help clients find personal meaning.
• Goals: Authentic living, self-awareness, and responsibility.
• Techniques: Focus on client-counselor relationship, confrontation.

3.3.3 Gestalt Approach

• Focus on present awareness and personal responsibility.
• View of Human Nature: Strive for wholeness and completeness.
• Role of Counselor: Guide through awareness techniques and experiments.
• Goals: Increase present awareness and contact with environment.
• Techniques: Exercises (e.g., role-playing) and experiments (e.g., internal dialogue).

3.4 Rational Emotive Therapy and Transactional Analysis

3.4.1 Rational Emotive Therapy (RET)

• Developed by Albert Ellis.
• Assumes emotions stem from beliefs.
• View of Human Nature: Mix of rational and irrational thinking.
• Role of Counselor: Direct and active teacher.
• Goals: Encourage rational thinking, reduce self-defeating habits.
• Techniques: ABCDEF model (Activating, Belief, Consequence, Disputing, Effect, New Feeling).

3.4.2 Transactional Analysis

• Created by Eric Berne.
• Focus on ego states and life positions.
• View of Human Nature: Potential for change.
• Role of Counselor: Teacher and facilitator of conscious change.
• Goals: Achieve healthy interactions and communications.
• Techniques: Structural, transactional, game, and script analysis.

3.5 Behavioral Approach

• Based on learning principles like conditioning.
• View of Human Nature: Behavior shaped by environment.
• Role of Counselor: Consultant, teacher, advisor.
• Goals: Achieve behavioral change through learning.
• Techniques: Systematic desensitization, behavior modification.

3.6 Reality Therapy

• Developed by William Glasser.
• Based on choice theory focusing on satisfying relationships.
• View of Human Nature: Conscious control over behavior.
• Role of Counselor: Teacher and model for effective behavior.
• Goals: Psychological strength and responsible behavior.
• Techniques: WDEP system (Wants, Doing, Evaluation, Planning).

3.7 Summary

• Overview of different counseling approaches and their focus areas.
• Each theory offers distinct benefits and can be integrated for effective problem resolution.

3.8 Unit End Questions

• Discussion points and questions to assess understanding of various counseling approaches.

3.9 Suggested Readings

• Recommended texts for further reading on counseling theories.