Three Counseling Theories
Working models in counseling theory can be as varied as the number ofauthors who write on the subject. Like all fields of psychology, counselingin still relatively new and those involved in the field are still testingand applying the theorems put forth by earlier writers in an attempt todetermine a best-fit practice for helping people master the world aroundthem. Regardless of the theory chosen the professional must make sure thatthat which is purported as a usable theoretical paradigm is congruent withone's own personal values, personality, and professional skills. Theremainder of this paper will focus on three different counseling theorieswith respect to their similarities, differences, and applicability in theadvent of the twenty first century. The chosen theories are representativeof the cognitive, psychodynamic, and behavioral approaches to counseling. Cognitive Approach to Counseling This particular approach tocounseling is based on the theory that a person's thoughts are directlyrelated to how they feel. Counseling therapists who are followers of thisparticular theorem work with clients' everyday problems from the
The end result is to help the client gain an understanding of one's ownmind. Sub-systems of thecognitive counseling domain include rational-emotive-behavioral counseling(Ellis, 1998), reality therapy (Glasser, 1989), cognitive-behavioral(Bandura, 1974), and transactional analysis (Sills & Hargaden, 2003). For the believerspsychoanalysis is a good science, and for the non-believers it is not ascience at all, rather a practice built on the ability of one to seeconnections between subconscious thought and conscious action (Grunbaum,1984). Behavioral Approach to Counseling Behavioral counselors primarilybelieve that all learning comes from experience, albeit positive ornegative. Unlike the cognitive therapist the behaviorist follows theposition that behavior is changed not by the sole tenet of understandingthe exhibited behavior but also through the process of change brought aboutby reinforcement. The essence of the exploration is to determine the motivationalfactors behind the action and, once, accomplish proceed to manage toproblem. Thisprocedure is similar to those who don the title of 'cognitive' therapist. Psychodynamic counseling ispredicated on analyzing the root causes of a dysfunctional behavior andfeelings by exploring the unconscious mind in relation to the consciousmind. So similar are cognitive andbehavior theories that they are often lumped together into that which isconveniently termed cognitive-behavioral counseling. Branches of the Freudian approach to psychotherapy or counselinginclude, and again not limited to, Progoff's intensive journal therapy,Jungian therapy, and object-relation therapy. Additional descriptive traits of thecognitive approach to counseling include, but not limited to, short termprogram management, task assignments between sessions, and theestablishment of a shared relationship between client and counselor. As thecognitive approach pays little attention to the "roots" of a problem, theyare not generally effective when dealing with severe psychologicaldisorders such as schizophrenia, psychotic personalities, bi-polardisorders, dual personalities, are nested within the disorder are usuallysuch things as repression, denial, sublimation, and a host of otherdebilitating psychological factors. The mechanisms used to bring the unconscious and conscious mindtogether are generally free association, transference, and dream analysis. The road to follow seems to be one wherein an open mind is present alongwith and understanding that theory and practice are in constant change. Although there are, today, many branches of the psychoanalyticalapproach to therapy all have their beginnings in the Freudian school ofthought.
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