Counseling Theories
INTRODUCTION
Counseling is a concept that has been around for years, maybe centuries. This is attributed to the fact that as long as human beings exist in a particular social setting, there are bound to sets of problems that more often than not require the more than one particular mindset. Thus, counseling comes in. it occurs when a particular individual decides to consult another person about a problem present in that parsons immediate social surrounding/life. This problem may be in form of a conflict or a dilemma that is affecting that particular person and in essence preventing them from living a contented life.
The role of a counselor can be taken up by anybody that has the ability to listen and contribute to the solution finding mechanism. However, counseling cannot simply be described as solution finding. Over the years, professional counselors and psychologists have been able to come up with methods that are able to efficiently treat different patients depending on a number of vectors surrounding a particular patient. This vectors range from the type of patient being treated to the type of problem being treated (Gillon, 2007). These types of treatment observed by these specialists is what can be referred to as counseling theories.
The distinction of one theory from the other is a very important aspect of the field for it ultimately narrows down the technique that a counselor or psychologist is likely to pick for particular patients. While there are a number of developed counseling theories, this particular paper will select and focus on three well known and published theories that have been able yield sufficient good results when adopted in the counseling profession. These include person-centered, transactional analysis and rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) counseling theories (Woolfe et.al, 2009).
Person-centered theory of counseling
This theory of counseling was advanced by a psychologist called Carl Rogers in the 1940/50. This type of therapy believed to belong to the humanistic school of thought in therapy mainly focuses on the client themselves. Unlike other advanced theories, this particular theory focuses on the client rather than the therapist. This means that the therapist ceases to be the focus. Rogers believed that the client knows what hurts, what directions to go, what problems are crucial, what experiences have been buried (Rogers, 1961). Thus rather than the therapist offering the solution to the problem, he/she would only help the client take charge of their own lives/problems. Rogers believed that by understanding and encouraging the patient, they would have freedom to grow.
This method of therapy that was originally referred to as the non-directive method of therapy relies on the fact that it is human nature to find a sense of accomplishment in ones achievement at the end of the day. Thus, this theory greatly relies on the patient being the main catalyst of his own healing. In this case the role of the therapist is to act as a communication model but does not provide the answers. That is up to the client. However, the counselor provides a structure as well as a guidance format that will ultimately help the client provide the solutions that are within themselves (Rogers et.al, 2013).
Rogers ultimately come up with six factors that would help stimulate growth within the client/patient. These are often also referred to as requirements for therapeutic change. The first is that there has to be a relationship between the patient/client and the counselor. The client has to vulnerable or incongruent this in turn requires that the therapist be congruent or rather genuine for the theory to be able to fully function. Once the relationship has been created, it is the duty of the therapist to be completely open-minded and accept the client regardless of their problem. Once the therapist is open-minded about the client and their problem they have to then be empathetic as well as understanding towards that particular client and their problem (Glauser & Bozarth, 2001). Finally, it is imperative that the client understands and perceives the counselors empathy as well as understanding. By establishing these steps, the therapist will create a relational climate built on congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard that will allow for a positive change in the client.
Transactional analysis theory
Transactional therapy is also commonly referred to as psychotherapy. This theory was originally propagated by Doctor Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). This particular theory focuses on an individual’s childhood and how that particular childhood experiences have ended up affecting their actions, characters and thoughts as grown-ups. Thus this method focuses on the psychological structure of humans and zones in on the human ego-state which is the parent-adult-child model.
This particular theory shifts the focus of human reactions and behaviors from a being internal thoughts to the environment in which that particular parson exists. Thus, the actions taken are as a result of repeated patterns of particular behaviors. In this case, the theory suggests that in life, human continue enacting a ‘life script’ which is to mean that the subconscious minds continue to re-play childhood strategies even as grown-ups (Prout & Brown, 2007). Thus an analysis of this particular script according to an individual’s personal characters would essentially help in ‘curing’ that particular person. The propagator of this theory believed that all people had one form or the other of their ego state and that treating those perceived to be ‘sick’ was not the ultimate solution; that there had to be a more general outlook.
This particular philosophy propagates that people are okay and that this feeling is increased with positive reinforcement. The theory further affirms that all people have a lovable core with a desire for growth and that in fact, with the exception of a few individuals, all humans have the capacity to think. All facets of a human beings live have a positive impact on them. The philosophy finally believes that people decide their fate and destiny and if that’s the case then the decisions they make can ultimately be changed. That said, the theory concludes that all emotional difficulties are curable (Clarke, 2012).
This particular method relies on a number of conventional methods that tap into the unconscious mind in an effort to try and understand current decisions as well as dilemmas. The methods include free association wit the client in an effort of trying to study them and their behavior. This interaction is accompanied with an analysis of resistances created by the patient as well as transferences that occurred at the human ego-state. This includes examining whether there were behavioral transferences from one stage to the other more so from ones childhood. Finally in some cases, the therapist will include dream analysis as well as interpretation. This method, while it may seem extreme in some cases is used to tap into the unconscious mind. In doing so, the unconscious mind is made conscious so that the patient can be able to gain an insight into their problem.
Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) counseling theory
Also known as the cognitive behavioral therapy, this particular school of thought focuses on the human thoughts and opinions more often than not end up affecting the way that individual behaves or feels. This particular theory propones that human beings are reactive, and will more often than not, respond to external stimuli. Thus, our behavior will always be as a result of constant learning as well as conditioning (Ellis, 2000).
The theory concludes that because our behavior is learned then it can as easily be ‘unlearned’. This method of counseling therefore concludes that that if a negative thought pattern is established and that a particular client is made aware of the fact that this pattern exists then it can be easier to learn a new positive way of thinking. Being able to grasp this new positive way of thinking will ultimately affect not only their feelings but also their behavior for the good of not only themselves but for the society as well (David et.al, 2005).
Comparisons and contrasts between the theories
These three commonly used theories in counseling and therapy have all been successfully applied in different aspects of life and have been found to work. This is regardless of the fact that they follow different schools of thought as well as ideologies and application methods. Nonetheless, what is clear is the fact that they all aim to help improve the state of the human mind. Despite the different aspects as well as applicable methods, there are some noted similarities as well as contrasts in not only the thinking of these theories but also the way they are applied in counseling.
There are some comparisons between the person-centered theory and the Transactional Therapy theory as far as the subconscious mind is concerned. Both recognize the existence of this particular part of the brain/psyche that is more often than not ignored. They both focus on the personality structure that is more often than not suppressed. Both the super-ego and the self-concept, can be said to describe internalized rules and moral values which have been imposed upon human by the people that surround and nature us. However, in contrast to the Transactional Therapy theory, the Person-centered theory focuses on the conscious mind and what is going on presently while the former focuses on the past and more so the clients’ childhood. Thus, while the former deals with self actualization, the later deals with insight (Corey, 2011). It can also be safely concluded that while the former focuses on the positive in a human’s ability to progress by themselves the later focuses largely of the negative aspects that may have impacted that human.
On the other hand, the Person-centered Approach and rational emotive behavior therapy bear semblance on the fact that they both deal with the conscious mind. They focus on the current problems that the client may have rather than examine that person’s past. They examine the human nature as positive by focusing on the present rather that their past by focusing on the fact that humans have the ability to shape their own destiny. Thus they can be concluded to have the healing factor of using today to heal tomorrow (Ellis & Dryden, 2007). Another similarity between these two is the fact that both utilize the core conditions of empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence to be able to create a working relationship between the two parties. Both also use the skills of reflection, paraphrasing and summarizing to be able to help then patient come to a suitable healing process. However, these two theories do not see eye to eye as far as their theoretical rational is concerned. This is because while on one hand, the former examines behavior as a learned response while the later believes that the client had the response was not learnt but rather experienced unknowingly (Smith, 2007).
As far as behavior is concerned there is a huge difference between Transactional analysis and Rational emotive behavior therapy theories. The former encourages clients to examine and try to uncover their past while the later is goal oriented in terms of focusing on the here and now. There is also the fact that in both theories, the problems are linked to a younger age and thus require tackling from the ‘root cause’.
Conclusion
Different theories have been proponed on how to deal with clients in need of professional therapy. Depending on the type of client as well as the problem being tackled, different methods have over the years been engaged by professionals that have been able to assist clients. Regardless of the method used, what remains clear is the fact that therapy has come a long way in establishing calm and offering solutions to the client. What remains clear is the fact that the different theories have been tailor made to tackle the diversity of clients that are in need of counseling. Thus, whether the professional uses one method or two or three at the same time, at the end of the day, then goal is achieved which is to ensure that a relationship in established that will ensure the clients problems are solved and that they are at peace with themselves.
References
Rogers, Carl, Lyon, HC, Tausch, R. (2013) On Becoming an Effective Teacher -- Person- centered teaching, Psychology, Philosophy, and Dialogues with Carl R. Rogers and Harold Lyon. London: Routledge
Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-centered therapy: Its current practice, implications and theory (p.491). Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
Glauser, A. S., & Bozarth, J. D. (2001). Person‐Centered Counseling: The Culture Within. Journal of Counseling & Development, 79(2), 142-147.
Clarke, S. L. (2012) Clarke's Dictionary of Transactional Analysis
Prout, H. T., & Brown, D. T. (2007). Counseling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents: Theory and Practice for School and Clinical Settings. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Ellis, A., & Dryden, W. (2007). The Practice of Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. New York: Springer Pub. Co.
Ellis, A. (2000). Rational-Emotive Behaviour Therapy. Six key approaches to counseling & therapy. London: Paston PrePress, 181-227.
David, D., Szentagotai, A., Eva, K., & Macavei, B. (2005). A synopsis of rational-emotive behavior therapy (REBT); fundamental and applied research. Journal of rational-emotive and cognitive-behavior therapy, 23(3), 175-221.
Corey, G. (2011). Theory and practice of group counseling. Cengage Learning.
Smith, S. R. (2007). Applying theory to policy and practice: Issues for critical reflection. Aldershot: Ashgate.
Gillon, E. (2007). Person-centred counselling psychology: An introduction. Los Angeles: SAGE.
Woolfe, R., Strawbridge, S., Douglas, B., & Dryden, W. (2009). Handbook of Counselling Psychology. London: Sage Publications.
