HCCSSD105 Theories of Counseling Essay Sample

HCCSSD105 Theories of Counseling Essay

Task Instructions

Part A

To successfully complete this task, you must draw on the theoretical ideas that you have been introduced to during this course and your experience in class or in

Collaborate sessions.

• Write a 1500-word essay in which you identify three theories of counselling you have been introduced to in this subject including at least one that is body- inclusive or a mindfulness based theory.

• Familiarise yourself with the theories and draw specifically from the materials and ideas covered and your experience of being in class.

• Provide an essay following the below structure.

Introduction and context

Overview of the three theories you have chosen and identify the one you intend to reflect upon.

Body

Divide your essay into three sections, one for each theory. Each section should be at least 350 words. Include a description of each theory in their own words, and the context for their use when in counselling.

Conclusion

Conclude your essay with a summary and include a statement about why you have chosen to reflect on your capacity to practice one particular theory.

• Include at least 10 references

Part B

Critical Reflection

This task is designed to help you reflect on your existing strengths and areas for improvement in regard to a particular counselling theory. Please answer the following questions. You may use headings or write it as a stream of consciousness (500-words).

• What draws you to this particular theory?

• Briefly identify the type of problem for which this theory might be relevant.

• What strengths or personal qualities do you have that make this a suitable basis for practice for you?

• What would you like to develop within yourself to enable better future practice?

Please use the latest APA reference style to format accurately your references. In addition, familiarise yourself with the marking rubric at the end of this brief.

Solution

Part A- Essay

Introduction

The realm of psychotherapy is where psychological theories and approaches become a comprehensive tapestry that shows different aspects of human condition while also pointing out ways to go forward towards a healing stage. Among them, Existential Therapy, Gestalt Therapy and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy stand as stalwarts, which are not only backed up by thoughtful ideas but also by individual therapeutic techniques.

Existential Therapy for MBA assignment expert was the outcome of existential philosophy which started in the 19th century, the investigation of human problems and potential were at the heart of its genesis. The goal of existential therapists is to accompany their clients throughout self-reflections on everyday life feelings, hoping for higher self-awareness and truthfulness as well as to emerge from possible fears. While contrary, gestalt therapy looks upon Gestalt psychology and focuses on the awareness of the present moment and the integration of both sides of one's personality (Schnipke et al., 2023). Counselors who gain clients arrive to teach them captivate on the "here and now," using methods such as mindfulness practice and role play to increase awareness of thoughts, feelings and bodily sensation.

Psychodynamic Psychotherapy primarily based upon the psychodynamic theories of Freud and many other analysts is about getting into unconscious part of the mind and looking at the childhood experiences to discover the hidden conflicts and patterns. Each approach is thus distinct in its perspective which it takes as it strives to comes up with interventions that will help man understand his suffering and growth. May it be facing living dilemmas that challenge the existence, building awareness of present moments, or indulging in study of inner world, counseling generates different avenues towards more self-awareness, inner-wisdom, and genuine satisfaction. We will delve deep into the theories in the section after this, covering the principles and applications of the therapy in the next part (Aho, 2023).

Theories

Existentialism Therapy

Existential Therapy which originated within the existential philosophy of the 19th and the 20th centuries at the same time provides a particular basis for the exploration and relief of human struggles and development. At the heart of Existential Therapy lies confronting with the universal existential questions that arise from the human nature – the attempt to find a meaning, autonomy, duty, and inevitability of death, for instance. The main component here consists in the idea that people have the capacity to create their own meaning and purpose in life despite the ones that life always comes with uncertainties and absurdities.

Existential Therapy is a way of dealing with those moments by allowing clients to reflect on their own subjective experiences and meaning, confronting the existential anxieties and dilemmas, one by one. This quest for self-knowledge involves a mixture of face-to-face examination of one's fears, worries and limitations which in turn leads up to a greater depth of authenticity and consciousness (Mandić, 2023). Existential psychotherapists act more like companions in this exploring journey, providing encouragement, empathy and deep understanding as their clients confront the difficult questions about life. The personal freedom and agency is one of the cornerstone concepts of Existential Therapy emphasized here. Existential counselors provoke clients to take ownership of their decisions and their actions understanding that they bear the whole responsibility of arranging their lives and creating a meaning that is helpful in the most practical circumstances. Through the acceptance of personal responsibility and courage, individuals are furnished with the actual power to face challenges of existential nature with motivation and steadfastness, hence in the end reaching to authenticity and fulfillment.

Existential Therapy puts a huge emphasis on how much authentic living is significant. Existentially speaking, authenticity means that persons have to be in accordance with their true values and consistent with their actual desires and beliefs. Existential therapists help individuals delve deep into the worlds of their souls, and they assist clients in unveiling what they actually want to accomplish or get.

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy, quite unlike any of the others, has its foundation in Holistic approach and psychotherapeutic knowledge of the holistic principles of Gestalt psychology. Perls, Laura Perls and Goodman, who all lived in the 40’s and 50’s, founded Gestalt therapy, a counseling psychology method, which highlights the values of present-centered awareness, integration, and mindfulness in the process of overcoming the psychological distress (Lobb et al., 2023). The "gestalt" concept is central to Gestalt therapy, which focuses on the sum total of a person's experiences and encounters in terms of emotions, thoughts, and actions.

The main rule of Gestalt psychology is the fact that it attaches importance to the now, encouraging people to live in the moment. It facilitates individuals who concentrate on the here and now without reflecting to any past moments or even worrying about the future. Amongst using gestalt as a technique, the therapist applies to the client with events such as mindfulness exercises, role-playing, and creative expression which help clients more aware of their thinking, feeling and bodily sensations in the present moment (Gutjahr, 2024). There is usually an alerted consciousness that individuals are used to reflect upon their behavioral patterns and dive into the healthier modes of relating with themselves and others as a result.

One crucial element of Gestalt theory which is to be kept in mind is that, the client should be taught to take responsibility for their own actions and be empowered. To Gestalt therapists individual is not a pass timer who goes with the flow but rather an active member of his/her life that can choose and take responsibility of his/her actions. Humanize the given sentence: Developing an awareness of the significant role of ownership and accountability by individuals in their own lives as well as the process of leading these positive changes towards their relationships is the Gestalt therapy (Alman et al., 2023). Therapists endeavor to have people understand that they should be able to speak their mind and if they have something that needs to let out they shouldn't censor or judge themselves.

Psychodynamic psychotherapy, the theories by Sigmund Freud and further extended by other psychoanalysts, provides the basis for a deep organized model for mental health. At the core psychodynamic theory is the idea that the unconscious conflicts and the childhood past experiences influence the mental life of the individual: thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Through psychodynamic psychotherapy, these unconscious processes are to be brought to the awareness level using therapeutic process towards self-development, novel insights, and conflicts resolution.

The specific psychodynamic psychotherapy theoretical concept that highlights the role of the unconscious mind is one of the main principles (Wienicke et al., 2023). In Freud's theory, the larger part of human activity is powered by the unawareness of deepest hopes, anxieties and memories that lie concealed just beyond the reach of consciousness. This can happen through the work of the unconscious, which can make itself know in symptoms like anxiety, depression, or patterns of behavior that are unhelpful. Psychodynamic practitioners like me try together with clients to uncover and face these unconscious dynamics, which are often reflected on through techniques such as free association, dream analysis, and understanding of transference and resistance.

Putting an emphasis on the childhood experiences and the early relationships is the primary psychodynamic psychotherapy element (Gan et al., 2024). According to him, things that happened in early childhood and in the womb built the basis of personality as well as emotional behavior when we’re all grown-up. Clinical psychodynamics devote a lot of attention to a person's childhood experiences; they tend to unravel past themes and patterns which are evident even at adulthood. Understanding how past experiences are the reasons behind the current behavior will help the clients to realize the reasons for maladaptive behavior tendencies and work towards change.

The transference and countertransference are two of the main ideas of the psychotherapeutic process in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Transference is a defense mechanism employed by the clients when they start to position the therapist in their past relationships by feeling and attitudes (Flückiger et al., 2024). Countertransference is therapist's emotional response to the client that could be attributed either to their unprocessed issues or to the client's transferring their feelings onto the therapist.
 

Part-B- Reflection

Exploring Existential Therapy: A Personal Viewpoint

The choice of the theory which I am going to explain is determined by what I am the one attracted to.
The existential therapy speaks to me because I personally have a deep philosophical ground. It deals with the inner journey of the person who considers what is really important and what is not in the face of the unknown and the stress arising from life concerns. This resonates with me since I've been asking myself those questions (Krishnamurthy et al., 2024). Being the mention of personal responsibility and freedom which happen to abide with my conviction on that, choice and agency are some of the players that determines our life affairs.

First of all, make a note of what problem this theory can be applied

In existential therapy the role of this therapy especially is not found in consideration of the questions of the meaning, purpose, or identity, if not emphasized. Such concerns as those that existential crises, blankness or disillusionment, and the impending gloom of existentialism can sometimes be alleviated by facing them through the use of the medium. Furthermore, existential psychotherapy encompasses the stated anxieties, depression, relationship problems, and existential concerns by assisting the people to face and make out of their existential struggles and achieve the authenticity and fulfillment.

Which personal qualities or strengths do you have and why do you think that you have a stable foundation to build on?

As an individual who analyzes life and seeks to understand its meaning, I am naturally curious for the exploration of issues related to life choices, freedom, the reality of death and social isolation. Empathy is the capacity of mine that allows me to understand and connect with my clients on their personal level. It enables me to present them with an environment of unconditional acceptance granting them the opportunity to open up and express themselves completely without any fear of being judged (Kristensen, et al., 2024). Additionally, the skill of focusing on the interlocutor and emphatically experiencing a spot of own existential doubts will be surely a ground for reflection and insight.

What skills do you need to fine-tune so that whatever you will do or change in the future will never cause you a big headache again?

Theoretical grasp of existential approach is a good foundation for me, however I further need to evolve and be able to practically use existential therapy techniques in clinical practice. In particular I aim at refining my skills in decision making processes the patients find themselves in on such a personal sensitive level. The process involves but not limited to enhance skills in facilitation, increasing knowledge of the existential concepts as well as improving ability to hold space for the clients in the light of navigating the existential uncertainties and confronting with it. Also, I want to improve my own self-awareness and I want to become more mindful so I can be more in tune with my clients' experience. I also want to understand them so that I can genuinely perform as an existential therapist and embody the existential principles in my treatment approach.

Conclusion

finally, psychodynamic psychotherapy can be considered as a complex theory that places a great deal of significance on those unconscious processes, early childhood events and relationships in influencing people's lives. When subjects are considering these factors, they get knowledge of their inner worlds, they resolve their conflict and they accomplish personal growth. The use of the Freudian principles in union with the existing knowledge gives psychodynamic therapy the opportunity to be a malleable and effective method for work on mental health problems.

Regarding my ability to realize this theory, it’s a constant battle with my inner self while trying to peel off the layers to the depth of finding the hidden patterns and meanings. The focus on the heuristic connection among the participant (patient) with the conscious and unconscious dynamics reflects my conviction that the transforming power of self-inspection and understanding is profound. Also, psychodynamic psychotherapy with its holistic nature agrees with my attitude which regards people as complicated individuals who are shaped by past experiences and connections. This will drive my commitment towards mastering the psychodynamic concepts which enable people to explore themselves in their quest for healing and self-discovery.

References:

Aho, K. (2023). Existentialism. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/?level=1

Alman, A., Gillespie, J., & Kolmannskog, V. (Eds.). (2023). Queering Gestalt Therapy: An Anthology on Gender, Sex & Relationship Diversity in Psychotherapy. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=HjexEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT7&dq=Gestalt+therapy+&ots=jsr_cH-ZYJ&sig=eKNFT2SPp1q5gQJhqQKiHW0d8eA

Flückiger, C., Willutzki, U., Grosse Holtforth, M., & Wampold, B. E. (2024). Psychotherapy works—an inclusive and affirming view to a modern mental health treatment. Clin Psychol Eur (in Druck). https://pada.psycharchives.org/bitstream/280d43de-9669-48ed-892a-0df30824a067

Gan, N. X., Ang, J. K., & Nuruddin, A. (2024). A Psychodynamic Understanding of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. J Clin Psychol Neurol, 2(1), 1-4. https://oaskpublishers.com/assets/article-pdf/a-psychodynamic-understanding-of-obsessive-compulsive-disorder.pdf

Gutjahr, L. (2024). A Field-Centred Approach to Gestalt Therapy: Agency and Response-ability in a Changing World. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=TCT6EAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT13&dq=Gestalt+therapy+&ots=nuhMQ7LM1x&sig=30cDSfWx6BsaU5X-Qmuf7BpKmbo

Krishnamurthy, S., Bhardwaj, A., Kumar, M. S., Dhruve, N., & Gopal, S. (2024). Everything, Everywhere, All at Once: A Cinematic Journey Exploring Mental Health Themes: From Existentialism to Nihilism and Everything in Between. Journal of Psychiatry Spectrum, 3(1), 68-72. https://journals.lww.com/jops/fulltext/2023/03010/everything,_everywhere,_all_at_once__a_cinematic.16.aspx?context=latestarticles

Kristensen, A. W., Jensen, A. L., Jensen, K., Dalton, S. O., Friborg, J., & Grau, C. (2024). Exploring patient-reported barriers to participating in proton therapy clinical trials. Technical Innovations & Patient Support in Radiation Oncology, 29, 100230. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405632423000306

Lobb, M. S., & Cavaleri, P. A. (Eds.). (2023). Psychopathology of the situation in gestalt therapy: A field-oriented approach. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=ktytEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT13&dq=Gestalt+therapy+&ots=jXQitd7u06&sig=uVrmfkYz5WCUdCgvOdFUnVHz0nM

Mandić, M. (2023). Heideggerian Existential Therapy: Philosophical Ideas in Practice. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=HHnaEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT10&dq=Existentialism+therapy&ots=GBJ7rjJPj4&sig=N2bRmNGVzn6ItCPt0sM-2Rr98Ww

Schnipke, B., & MacKay, M. (2023). Existential Issues in Psychotherapy. Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience, 20(1-3), 72. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10132274/

Wienicke, F. J., Beutel, M. E., Zwerenz, R., Brähler, E., Fonagy, P., Luyten, P., ... & Driessen, E. (2023). Efficacy and moderators of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data. Clinical psychology review, 102269. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735823000272