Counseling Theories

Paper Summary:

This paper focuses on three different counseling theories with respect to their similarities and differences. The paper discusses the cognitive approach, the psychodynamic approach and the behavioral approach to counseling. It then discusses the three approaches' applicability in the twenty first century. The paper suggests that regardless of the theory chosen, the professional must ensure that it is congruent with her own personal values, personality, and professional skills.

Table of Contents:
Cognitive Approach to Counseling
Psychodynamic Approach to Counseling
Behavioral Approach to Counseling
Humanistic Counseling
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Behavioral counselors primarily believe that all learning comes from experience, albeit positive or negative. As such behaviorists believe their primary responsibility is to assist the client in analyzing their behaviors followed by the process of defining the problems brought about by the identified behaviors, and then setting about to resolve the issues through the setting of goals. This procedure is similar to those who don the title of 'cognitive' therapist. Further, like the cognitive therapist, the behaviorist supports a collaborative relationship between counselor and client in the problem-solving arena. Unlike the cognitive therapist the behaviorist follows the position that behavior is changed not by the sole tenet of understanding the exhibited behavior but also through the process of change brought about by reinforcement. For the cognitivist behavior change is strictly a conscious choice. One might look at the cognitive counselor as requiring a client to think oneself out of an action; while a behaviorist wants the client to act oneself out of the situation. So similar are cognitive and behavior theories that they are often lumped together into that which is conveniently termed cognitive-behavioral counseling. In the end the behavioral counselor will likely uses operant conditioning techniques, self-management programs and contingency contract to shape or re-shape a person's dysfunctional behavior. In addition, behavioral counseling has shown to be extremely effective in treating depression, anxiety, eating disorders and anger. As a side bar note it should be mentioned that behavioral counseling is one of the very few approaches that has been scientifically validated through measurable and observable results."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bandura, A. (1974). Behavior theory and the models of man. American Psychol.29, 859-869.
• Brunner, Charles (1973). An Elementary Textbook of Psychoanalysis. New York: International Universities Press, Inc.
• Ellis, Albert and Robert A Harper (1998). A Guide to Rational Living. Wilshire Book Co; 3rd Revision Edition
• Erickson, Erik (1993).Young Man Luther: A Study in Psychoanalysis and History. W. W. Norton & Company; Reissue edition , June.
• Glasser, William (1989). Reality Therapy: A New Approach to Psychiatry. Perennial: Reissued Edition

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