Developing a personal counseling theory for beginning counselors

Psychology Counseling

One thing that is so important in counseling is being able to see things through the eyes of one's clients. In fact you could consider it an empathetic way of thinking. When a client comes to the counselor with a concern, it is the job of the counselor to devise a way to help each client. First, they (the counselor) must be able to see the situation i.e. The concern or difficulty for what it is and be able to devise a course of action that is useful for each client. If I were a counselor, this is exactly what I would do. I would you my ability to be an empathetic listener to understand the situation from the view of the client, therefore allowing me to consider methods that will be tailored to each client rather than using a blanket method having a "one size fits all mentality. Knowing that this method does not work well for everyone.

Counselors have often stated that developing a personal theory of counseling is essential for beginning counselors. It is believed that current approaches de-emphasize life experiences before graduate training and fail to incorporate counselor developmental stages. Spruill & Benshoff (2000) explain that learning to be a helping professional has been described as a complex and overwhelming process. An essential part of this process is to help students develop a coherent theoretical framework on which they can base their counseling practice. The proposed standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs recognize the importance of this aspect of counselor education, stating, "Students will be exposed to models of counseling... And students will begin to develop a personal model of counseling." However, preparing professional counselors to practice from a strong theoretical base requires that counselor educators do more than simply teach standard theories and models of counseling; students should also be helped to use these theories to examine and develop their own personal model of counseling as they work "toward integration in theory and eclecticism in practice." Because beginning counselors typically lack the ability to conceptualize clients from a coherent, unified theoretical perspective, the Integration of personal life experiences and counselor developmental stages may be a particularly significant challenge for counselor educators. (p.70)

What is the general nature of human beings?

According to the Blank Paper view, man is entirely the product of his culture. There is then no end to the possible variations among cultures; what we take to be human instincts are just the deep-dug prejudices of our own society. Forming families, fearing the dark, and jumping at the sight of a spider are just results of our conditioning. Existentialism at first appears a very different standpoint, because the Existentialist asserts man's freedom and will not let him call himself a product of anything. However, Existentialism too denies that man has a nature; if he had, his freedom would not be complete. Thus, it is suggested, "there is no human nature.... Man first exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world, and defines himself afterwards. If man as the Existentialist sees he is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then he will be what he makes himself." (Midgley, 2002, p. 4) believe that human nature stands on the premise of self-preservation. I believe that all decisions that an individual makes initiate in what effect that decision will have on one's self. It is in ones nature to do whatever is necessary to preserve ones life.

What is the cause of most people's problems?

The causes of most people's problems appear to be contradiction in thoughts. There are instances when a human being shifts between thoughts and often has the ability to confuse himself or herself and obscure their own perceptions of people, events, etc.

How do people change?

People change in many ways. There are physical changes i.e. increase in height, body mass, hair color, attitudes, and perceptions, age etc. Changes also occur in mentality, a person as they grow and mature may have shifts in mental perceptions and the ways that their brains process information.

How do counselors help in this process?

Counselors help clients in many ways. First, by being an un-opinionated ear, counselors are the catalyst to better mental well-being. Counselors offer a therapeutic atmosphere free of judgments and other turmoil. They also offer options to better ways of thing, ideas on things that may improve ones situation or perceptions. Lastly, counselor aid in giving direction and methods concerning how to focus ones ideas and emotions to learn how to understand one's emotions and situations as well as ways to better deal with these situations and perceptions.

What techniques do you believe would be MOST effective with most clients?

In my opinion, Freudian techniques would be most effective. Reason being his ideals while they may seem primitive always have a way of suiting client's particular circumstances in one way or another. Now I am not saying that every girl goes through the Oedipus complex but I am stating that there is merit in truly understanding why Freud believes that it occurs and what some of the characteristics of it really is.

What should the goals of counseling be?

The goals should be to make a significant impact in a client's life no matter how big or small. To never stop learning and pushing oneself to a higher level everyday. Constantly seek new techniques and methods to help a myriad of clients. Most importantly never lose your love for what you do, bring that same passion to help people on day one as you do on day one thousand and one.