Counseling theory

Question 1

Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Description

Answer 1

A humanistic approach where the goal is for therapist to create an environment where client feels safe and trusts the counselor. The environment is a place for self-awareness and development. Also, disregarding symptoms can be harmful and Glasser posited that there were basically no mental illnesses, which is YIKES.

Question 2

Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Therapeutic Relationship

Answer 2

• Build a trusting relationship with client in order for them to develop new self-concept in order to enact change in behavior
• Counselor expresses empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness to create a trusting environment.
• Client directs conversation by presenting emotion and thoughts that develop in conversation in therapy session.

Question 3

Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Techniques

Answer 3

• focus on therapeutic relationship.
• practicing empathy, unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and non-judgmental active listening.

Question 4

Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: 6 Key Factors

Answer 4

• Therapist-client psychological contact- the relationship between therapist and client must exist in order for the client to achieve positive personal change.
• Client incongruence or vulnerability- a discrepancy between client’s self-image and actual experience leaves them vulnerable to fears and anxieties.
• Therapist congruence or genuineness- therapist should be self-aware, genuine, and congruent. This does not imply perfection, rather they be true and authentic within the therapeutic relationship.
• Therapist unconditional positive regard (UPR)- the client’s experiences, both positive and negative, should be accepted by the therapist without any condition or judgement. This way, the client may express themselves without feeling like they are being judged.
• Therapist empathy- therapist demonstrates empathic understanding of the client’s experiences and recognizes the emotional experience without getting emotionally involved.
• Client perception- the client perceives the therapist’s unconditional regard and empathy. This is communicated through the therapist’s words and behavior.

Question 5

Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Limitations

Answer 5

• discounts the significance of the past since it focuses solely on the present
• students in crisis may need more direct measures and support
• some cultures may see counselor lack of direction and structure as unacceptable
• for those seeking help and immediate answers.
• clear lack of challenge or direction in the therapist

Question 6

Glasser’s Reality Therapy: Description

Answer 6

Reality therapy is a cognitive-based therapy that is rooted in choice theory, focused on changing the self instead of changing those around you, which is impossible. Focus is on the here and now, not what has happened in the past (unlike psychoanalysis). This type of therapy encourages problem-solving and is based on the idea that people experience mental distress when their basic psychological needs have not been met. When one or more of these needs go unfilled, the resulting problems occur in present time and in current relationships, so it makes sense to act and think in the present time. Reality therapy is also based on choice theory, the principle that humans choose to behave in certain ways and that these choices can help or hamper your ability to satisfy essential needs and reach individual goals. You cannot change or control others, so the only sensible approach to solving problems is to control yourself and your own behavior by making choices that help you achieve your life goals.

Question 7

Glasser’s Reality Therapy: 5 Basic Needs

Answer 7

• Power: A sense of winning, achieving, or a sense of self-worth.
• Love and belonging: To family, to a community, or to other loved ones.
• Freedom: To be independent, maintain personal space, autonomy.
• Fun: To achieve satisfaction, enjoyment, and a sense of pleasure.
• Survival: Basic needs of shelter, survival, food, sexual fulfillment.

Question 8

Glasser’s Reality Therapy: Therapeutic Process

Answer 8

• Pull attention away from the past to focus on current issues. Present needs are more important, not how you got here.
• Less focus on symptoms since Glasser believed these were caused by disconnection from others (problematic).
• Focus on things they can actually change instead of things beyond their control.
• Identify one’s own needs and desires, and establish a plan to meet those needs without blaming others. No excuses, no punishment, never give up (client can work with therapist to adapt the plan if needed, but don’t give up).
• Strict boundaries for expectations and timelines. Having the client provide timelines and accountability, making a plan, rehearsing what will be said, etc.

Question 9

Glasser’s Reality Therapy: Role of the Therapist and Application

Answer 9

• The connection with the therapist is the most important dynamic in facilitating healing.
• This relationship can be used as a model for other relationships.
• This form of therapy works from the perspective that people must assume responsibility for their behavior if they wish to change it.

Question 10

Glasser’s Reality Therapy: Limitations

Answer 10

Glaring limitation is disregard for systemic and societal racism or trauma, deflecting blame from the responsible parties onto something that the individual can control. This is harmful and irresponsible, and would work best with a more intersectional approach to understanding the client. Focusing on taking responsibility for one’s own actions is okay if other factors like racism, etc. aren’t involved. Also, Glasser believed that there were no mental illnesses, just something lacking in the 5 needs, which is YIKES.