theory: humanistic theories

Question 1

three humanistic counseling approaches:

Answer 1

• client-centered,
• existential,
• Gestalt

Question 2

Existential counseling

Answer 2

An approach to counseling that assists clients in addressing universal questions about life, death, and freedom and helps them find meaning in their lives

Question 3

Client-Centered Counseling

Answer 3

Also referred to as person-centered counseling. The client-centered counseling approach developed by Carl Rogers, which proposes that clients, not counselors, set the pace for counseling and determine the focus of each session. Client-centered counseling downplays the use of techniques, instead focusing on the development of a trusting, genuine, and accepting therapeutic relationship to facilitate change.

Question 4

carl rogers

Answer 4

An American psychologist who founded the client-centered approach to counseling. Rogers emphasized the importance of the client in counseling sessions and implemented a nondirective approach, which put the responsibility for personal growth on the client. Rogers maintained that a professional counselor should demonstrate empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness

Question 5

phenomenological perspective

Answer 5

In client-centered counseling, how counselors approach clients from the perspective of how they perceive an event rather than the event itself.

Question 6

core conditions

Answer 6

Rogers proposed that counselors must possess core helping conditions in order to promote client change, growth, and self-actualization. The core counseling conditions include (a) genuineness/ congruence (being honest with clients and ensuring that a counselor’s verbal and nonverbal communication is congruent), (b) respect/unconditional positive regard (the ability to communicate acceptance of the client as a person, regardless of their actions or beliefs), and (c) empathy (the ability to enter the client’s worldview and convey an understanding of a client’s thoughts, feelings, and actions).

Question 7

Humanistic Counseling

Answer 7

A group of counseling theories focusing on experiences that are unique to humans (e.g., self-actualization, wellness, hope, love, creativity). Humanistic counselors believe in human goodness and the ability of all individuals to strive toward self-actualization given the proper environment. Humanistic counseling is frequently referred to as the “third force” in counseling.

Question 8

Victor Frankl

Answer 8

A Holocaust survivor and Austrian psychiatrist who trained under Alfred Alder. Frankl is one of the key figures in existential therapy and founded logotherapy, which focuses on individuals’ search for meaning in their lives. His book A Man’s Search for Meaning chronicles his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp as he searches for meaning in life.

Question 9

Rollo May

Answer 9

An American psychologist who was a leader in the existential counseling approach. May studied the concept of anxiety in depth, noticing that it often interferes with people’s ability to accomplish goals. However, May also believed that experiencing moderate amounts of anxiety was beneficial. His book The Meaning of Anxiety describes the role of anxiety as a motivator.

Question 10

free will

Answer 10

Self-determination

Question 11

logotherapy

Answer 11

An existential approach developed by Victor Frankl that focuses on individuals’ search for meaning in their lives. Logotherapy assists clients in restoring meaning to their lives by viewing their problems from a larger spiritual context.

Question 12

existential vacuum

Answer 12

A term associated with existential counseling describing the experience of life as empty, meaningless, purposeless, and so on.

Question 13

paradoxical intention

Answer 13

A therapeutic technique in which counselors prescribe the symptom (e.g., client suffering from insomnia is asked to stay up all night). By asking clients to actively engage in the symptom behavior, they are able to recognize the control they possess over the symptom.

Question 14

Fritz Perls

Answer 14

A German psychiatrist/psychotherapist known for developing Gestalt therapy. Perls created Gestalt therapy as a reaction to psychodynamic approaches. Perls stressed taking into account the whole person in therapy

Question 15

unfinished business

Answer 15

In Gestalt therapy, past unresolved issues that interfere with an individual’s present functioning. The purpose of Gestalt psychology is to help individuals with neuroses become integrated and self-supportive through resolving their unfinished business

Question 16

experiments

Answer 16

A technique in Gestalt therapy that occurs spontaneously in session.

Question 17

exercises

Answer 17

Techniques in Gestalt therapy that are planned prior to a therapy session. Exercises used by Gestalt therapists often include psychodrama, roleplaying, and the empty chair technique.

Question 18

here and now therapy

Answer 18

A Gestalt approach used to encourage clients to discuss only what is bothering them in the present moment.

Question 19

psychodrama

Answer 19

An exercise used in Gestalt therapy that asks clients to act out their internal conflicts and related emotions in order to gain clarity on their unfinished business

Question 20

empty chair

Answer 20

A technique used in Gestalt therapy in which a client is asked, through role-playing, to talk to conflicting parts of their personality or to an individual with whom they are in conflict.