1.2 Work within a framework based upon an established psychotherapeutic theory Flashcards
Integrate knowledge of how human problems develop, from the viewpoint of the therapist’s theoretical orientation (e.g., knowledge of the impact of trauma on psychological functioning)
Humanistic psychology begins with the existential assumptions that people have free will:
Personal agency is the humanistic term for the exercise of free will. Personal agency refers to the choices we make in life, the paths we go down and their consequences.
People are basically good, and have an innate need to make themselves and the world better:
The humanistic approach emphasizes the personal worth of the individual, the centrality of human values, and the creative, active nature of human beings.
The approach is optimistic and focuses on noble human capacity to overcome hardship, pain and despair.
People are motivated to self-actualize:
Self-actualization concerns psychological growth, fulfillment and satisfaction in life.
Both Rogers and Maslow regarded personal growth and fulfillment in life as a basic human motive. This means that each person, in different ways, seeks to grow psychologically and continuously enhance themselves.
However, Rogers and Maslow both describe different ways of how self-actualization can be achieved.
The subjective, conscious experiences of the individual is most important:
Humanistic psychologists argue that objective reality is less important than a person’s subjective perception and understanding of the world.
Sometimes the humanistic approach is called phenomenological. This means that personality is studied from the point of view of the individual’s subjective experience.
For Rogers the focus of psychology is not behavior (Skinner), the unconscious (Freud), thinking (Wundt) or the human brain but how individuals perceive and interpret events. Rogers is therefore important because he redirected psychology towards the study of the self.
Humanism rejects scientific methodology:
Rogers and Maslow placed little value on scientific psychology, especially the use of the psychology laboratory to investigate both human and animal behavior.
Humanism rejects scientific methodology like experiments and typically uses qualitative research methods. For example, diary accounts, open-ended questionnaires, unstructured interviews and unstructured observations.
Qualitative research is useful for studies at the individual level, and to find out, in depth, the ways in which people think or feel (e.g. case studies).
The way to really understand other people is to sit down and talk with them, share their experiences and be open to their feelings.
Humanism rejected comparative psychology (the study of animals) because it does not tell us anything about the unique properties of human beings:
Humanism views human beings as fundamentally different from other animals, mainly because humans are conscious beings capable of thought, reason and language.
For humanistic psychologists’ research on animals, such as rats, pigeons, or monkeys held little value.
Research on such animals can tell us, so they argued, very little about human thought, behavior and experience
Psychoanalysis Assumptions
Psychoanalytic psychologists see psychological problems as rooted in the unconscious mind.
Manifest symptoms are caused by latent (hidden) disturbances.
Typical causes include unresolved issues during development or repressed trauma.
Treatment focuses on bringing the repressed conflict to consciousness, where the client can deal with it.
Key Features Authenticity Phenomenology Self-actualisation Self Concept Hierarchy of Needs
Humanistic approach
Basic Assumptions
Humans have free will; not all behavior is determined.
All individuals are unique and are motivated to achieve their potential.
A proper understanding of human behavior can only be achieved by studying humans - not animals.
Psychology should study the individual case (idiographic) rather than the average performance of groups (nomothetic).
Areas of Application
Person Centered Therapy
Motivation
Depression
Education
Self-worth
Strengths
Shifted the focus of behavior to the individual / whole person rather than the unconscious mind, genes, observable behavior etc.
Real life applications (e.g., therapy)
Humanistic psychology satisfies most people’s idea of what being human means because it values personal ideals and self-fulfillment.
Qualitative data gives genuine insight and more holistic information into behavior.
Highlights the value of more individualistic and idiographic methods of study.
Integrate a theory of change consistent with the
therapist’s theoretical orientation.
What Is Theoretical Orientation?
Theoretical orientation involves a customized approach to how a counselor best serves their client. Every client is different and reacts to different treatments, and theoretical orientation is there to help the counselor find the best method to tackle their client’s problems.
When counselors use theoretical orientation, it typically involves the counselor getting to know the person, and over time, the counselor may deploy a few techniques to see if it will help.
In other words, the theoretical orientation is the counselor’s preferred therapy method. When seeking a counselor, asking what their theoretical orientation is can be a productive question, as there are so many orientations in psychology.
A List Of Therapies
Theoretical orientation uses quite a few therapies. These therapies can be classic, stemming from the beginning of modern psychology, to more contemporary. These theories include:
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
With CBT, it’s believed that the client’s beliefs and actions are the main culprits behind the client’s problem. To apply CBT, a counselor will have to figure out what behaviors and beliefs are the most problematic, and then challenge the client to change them or make some adjustment.
The client may have to record their behaviors in a journal, tracking down thoughts and feelings as they occur, and figure out what situations will cause them to have an episode. When they report to the counselor, they can figure out how to handle the behaviors whenever they arise.
It’s safe to say that everyone has behaviors that can be self-destructive, and if your behaviors are out of control, CBT can help.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
This is similar to CBT and uses a lot of its techniques, but instead of concentrating on their bad behaviors, it instead looks at a client’s self-awareness, emotion regulation, distress levels, and much more. It was originally a treatment for BPD, or Borderline Personality Disorder, but you can apply it to other mental issues too.
Family Counseling
Also known as family therapy, this involves the entire family. By family, this can mean children, entire families, or just couples, and they are all considered the counselor’s client. With family counseling, it can be a separate job or involve talking to all the family at once. A counselor can learn a great deal from observing the interactions between family members. Whether it’s a bickering couple parents trying to reach out to their unruly child, family counseling can help.
Feminist Counseling
This orientation looks at the world through a feminist lens, but they’re not just limited to a person’s sex or gender identity. Instead, they may look at how a person’s race, religion, sexual orientation, and age play a part of their life experience.
Gestalt Therapy (GT)
GT involves the here and now. This goes by many names, such as mindfulness, and its job is to help the client be more aware of their present behaviors and feelings, with the goal being how they affect the world around them. GT is a good therapy system to have when the client is too focused on the past or future. Sometimes, you just have to look at the world around you to find the answers.
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Optimistic Therapy
Also known as humanistic therapy, this is focused on the good parts of life. These therapists believe that humans want to be satisfied and self-fulfilled, and the goal is for the client to feel that. They may use techniques like self-actualization and open-ended responses to get to the goals they want. Everyone has a dream, and while optimistic therapy may not be able to reach every dream, it can create other goals to make the person feel accomplished.
Integrative Therapy (IT)
IT can involve a number of therapies depending on the client dependent on the client and their needs. The counselor may combine techniques or use them separately, depending on the situation.
Narrative Therapy (NT)
We all have imagined our lives to be like a book, a movie, or whatever narrative-driven form of media you prefer. NT involves looking at someone’s life as a story, and through that story, what problems may be uncovered. Therapists guide the client in retelling their story to get minimize or eliminate the problems and make new stories. The counselor may act like an interviewer, asking questions about the person’s life, and in doing so help the client create their story in their own words.
Psychodynamic
Also known as insight-oriented, this looks at how our unconscious minds control us. The unconscious mind contains hidden traumas and feelings, and it can influence our behavior. Psychodynamic therapy helps to bring this behavior to the forefront of our minds and give us self-awareness. Psychodynamic therapy is also short. Sometimes, it can only take a handful of weekly sessions for success, though this will vary dependent on the individual client.
Psychoanalysis
Also known as psychoanalytic therapy, this is similar to psychodynamics, but it’s more long-term and ends up being more intense. Like psychodynamic therapy, it focuses on the unconscious and tends to involve childhood trauma. The client will have to provide all the details they can to the therapist, from dreams to what they’re feeling during the day. The counselor will then listen and provide insight. It’s another good therapy for self-awareness.
