Theories of Counselling in chapter 11

 Theories of Counselling in chapter 11

Annotated outline

1. Overview of the counseling theory development

This section reviews the development of counseling theory with regard to the philosophical constructs of determinism and free will.

1. Introduction to determinism and free will
   • Definition of determinism
   • Definition of free will
   • Determinism and free will in counseling: No single theory of counseling can fully address determinism vs. free will or constitutes indeterminate free will as the component. These theories can be used to augment each other in explaining free will and determinism.

• Theories of counseling
• The theories of counseling used in the book Philosophers at work by Cohen. These theories utilized include:
  • Transactional analysis theory
  • Person-centered theory
  • Rational emotive behavior theory

1. Strengths and weaknesses of the three approaches to counseling
   • Each theory is analyzed for strengths and weaknesses, as well as how they are applied to psychotherapy.

Free Will vs. Determinism in Philosophical Counselling

Part 1: Theories of Counselling

Cohen (2000) approaches determinism on the premise that all behavior has a force that drives it, and it can, therefore, be predicted. He asserts that free will is just an illusion, and human behavior can be prompted or governed by either internal or external forces over which they can control. This section reviews the concept of free will and determinism in humanistic counseling and elaborates on the extent to which human behavior is the outcome of forces over which they have not to control or whether an individual is able to decide for himself/herself whether to behave or act in a particular way. Cohen (2000), in chapter 11, cites three theories that can be employed in professional counseling, which include the rational emotive behavior theory, person-centered theory, and transactional analysis theory.

Transactional analysis theory gives an optimistic approach to counseling concerning human nature. Ti entails four primary areas of predicting and understanding human behavior, including structural analysis, game analysis, transactional analysis, and script analysis. It perceives humans as having the ability to cultivate new positive behaviors and goals. Rational emotive behavior theory, REBT, on the other hand, proposes that events in themselves are neither good or bad, and therefore an individual’s feelings cannot be directly related to a particular event. This approach utilizes the ABC theory with the core assumptions that people are born with mental traits of both irrational and rational thinking, and they can think either positively or negatively. It contends that people can change their faulty thinking patterns for self-development and productive thoughts. Also, REBT assumes that blame is the core course of most emotional illnesses and disturbances. Lastly, the person-centered theory perceives human beings as essentially good, trustworthy, positive, realistic, forward-moving, and self-directed. The theory postulates that human beings can perceive reality and not dictated by outside events.

Strengths of the three approaches

REBT can be an extremely useful approach to psychotherapy, especially when used in combination with medication, because it deals with either an individual allowing him to strongly get involved in the process of therapy. It is a multifunctional therapy and can, therefore, be applied to several psychological disorders as well as other factors such as emotions, behaviors, and attitudes. With regards to the school of thought, person-centered, transactional analysis, person-centered, and REBT utilizes the humanistic school, psychodynamic school, and behavioral school, which are impactful in the psychotherapy. Transactional analysis theory encompasses moral principles that facilitate the integration of an individual with the social environment. It establishes favorable conditions for the secure and natural development of a child. Also, it respects both social values and norms. Person-centered theory to counseling focuses on the now and here and helps the client to think within the present context. This approach values and recognizes the client. Lastly, it recognizes self-awareness, self-expression, a greater understanding of self, and self-development.

Weakness of the three theories

A person-centered approach to counseling is too simplistic, leisurely, optimistic, and unfocused for the patient in crisis. This perspective relies on insightful, bright, and hard-working clients to obtain the best results and, therefore, limited applicability. It ignores diagnosis, developmental, and unconscious theories. Lastly, the person-centered approach focuses only on surface issues, and the client is less challenged to examine deeper areas.

The transactional analysis theory is limited in its effects when solely utilized. It is often criticized for its simplicity, popularity, and structure. It fails to emphasize on the counselor’s authenticity and the research to support this approach relatively weak. Lastly, the effectiveness of REBT depends mainly on the commitment of the client to the therapy because it is not a quick fic and fails to consider the external life factors, including people living with friendship groups. This condition can give rise to the underlying factors.

Part 2:

Rogers, C. R., & Skinner, B. F. (1956). Some issues concerning the control of human behavior. Science, 124(3231), 1057-1066.

The article by Rodgers and Skinner above utilizes the person-centered theory to explain the concept of control of human behavior. They are deeply involved in the prediction and control, as well as the influencing of human behavior. The article states that therapists often institute particular forms of attitudinal conditions, and in such a scenario, the client has significantly less voice within the development of these conditions. The theory is used in this case to predict that if such conditions are instituted, specific behavioral consequences tend to ensue in the client. Rodgers and Skinner uses the approach to demonstrate the applicability of behavioral science in the achievement of some form of values. The theory has proved effective in this article by revealing that the client becomes more self-directing, more open, and less rigid to the evidence of his/her sense, more similar to the ideal picked for himself, and better integrated and organized. Also, this research establishes that through the predicted external control conditions, the internal control by the individual will accompany the process of attaining the internally chosen goals.

Morgan, J.H., 2011. On Becoming a Person (1961) Carl Rogers’ celebrated classic in memoriam. Journal of Psychological Issues in Organizational Culture, 2(3), pp.95-105.

This article comprises two personal talks. It illustrates Carl Rogers’s journey and the developments that resulted in the assumptions in the counseling theories. In particular, the article demonstrates client-centered therapy. The author, through this theory, establishes that the feeling which he thought was more personal, more private, and incompressible by other people has now become an expression through which resonance is created in many other individuals. There is an assumption that what is initially thought to be private is what ends up share deeply with others. By arguing about whether truth exists, the author is able to demonstrate that a person can only be understood better by speaking out, including sharing those things he initially thought were private. Translating this argument to the field of psychotherapy, the counselor should seek to understand the clients at a personal level so that effective professional counseling can be delivered. The explanation of Rogers Carl’s mind and linking it to the theory of counseling proves an appropriate application of person-centered theory. If I was to use this theory, I would employ it the same way it has been demonstrated in this particular document.

Part 3:

Keshavarzi, S., Fathi Azar, E., Mirnasab, M. M., & Badri Gargari, R. (2016). Effects of a Transactional Analysis Program on Adolescents’ Emotion Regulation. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 8(4).

The above article by Keshavarzi et al. (2016), investigates the emotional disorders that rapidly occur among most adolescents. The theory is used to create an interventional program useful in developing their competencies. In particular, the transactional analysis’s impact on emotion regulation is utilized to establishes how these behaviors can be regulated for 10^th-grade female learners. This exploration employs quasi-experimental research. The findings of this research show that transactional analysis instruction is vital to empower emotional skills to adolescents. These particular skills are in the evaluation, modification, and assertion of the emotions in a more adaptive way. In addition, the transactional analysis theory was crucial in enabling the adolescents to identify and modify their ego state as well as the transaction when it is required. I believe this theory was more effective because it improved the interpersonal and intrapersonal factors of the learners. It is, therefore, an important approach in the minimization of risk factors in their lives.

Ogbuanya, T. C., Eseadi, C., Orji, C. T., Ede, M. O., Ohanu, I. B., & Bakare, J. (2017). Effects of rational emotive occupational health therapy intervention on the perceptions of organizational climate and occupational risk management practices among electronics technology employees in Nigeria. Medicine, 96(18).

This study is based on the notion that improvement of the perception of the employees towards the organizational climate and tuning them to maintain the steadfastness during the management of occupational risks that commonly occurs at the workplace have a profound impact on the occupational health and psychosocial wellbeing. The research explored the influences of the REBT as an intervention strategy to the occupational risk and organizational climate management practices. I agree with the use of this particular theory in the context of the work environment because it expands the focus of the employees by providing assistance to the employees that have poor perceptions of the climate of the organization. Also, it is a useful approach in helping people with a heightened risk of occupational hazards.

In summary, the articles above have demonstrated the use of counseling theories to pursue a specific goal within counseling. More than one approach can be used within a similar context, although with care not to comprise the underlying issues that are likely to disorient the entire counseling process. The discussion has discussed the REBT theory, the transactional analysis theory, and the person-centered theory.

Links to the articles

1. chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/666e/f11b45a7fa455532a51bccdfb2e8d4914fca.pdf
2. chrome-extension://oemmndcbldboiebfnladdacbdfmadadm/https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mirmahmoud_Mirnasab/publication/309473761_Effects_of_a_Transactional_Analysis_Program_on_Adolescents’_Emotion_Regulation/links/5e10e86d4585159aa4b2aba8/Effects-of-a-Transactional-Analysis-Program-on-Adolescents-Emotion-Regulation.pdf

References

Cohen, E.D. ed., 2000. Philosophers at work: issues and practice of philosophy. Harcourt College.