Theories of Counseling Exam 1

mandatory ethics

Ethical standards counselors must follow

aspirational ethics

behaviors that exceed standard guidelines and align with the highest professional goals

informed consent

clients understand their rights and choices

confidentiality

protecting information shared by a client during counseling

reasons to break confidentiality

danger to self, danger to others, suspected child or elder abuse

evidence-based practice (EBP)

using the best available research evidence combined with clinical expertise and client preferences, values, or circumstances

dual or multiple relationships

when a counselor has more than one type of relationship with a client

boundary violation

when a counselor crosses an appropriate professional boundary in a way that can harm or exploit the client

classical psychoanalysis

developed by Sigmund Freud, focuses heavily on the unconscious, early childhood experiences, internal conflicts, instincts, and defense mechanisms.

3-part personality structure

Freud believes personality consists of the Id, ego, and superego

Id

basic instincts and immediate gratification (“I want it now”)

Ego

reality and balancing competing demands (“what’s realistic?”)

Superego

morality, rules, ideals (“that’s right/wrong”)

unconscious

repressed memories and impulses

defense mechanisms

unconscious psychological strategies used to protect the person from anxiety or uncomfortable thoughts and feelings

views of human nature (psychoanalytic)

views humans as influenced by unconscious forces, driven by instincts, and shaped by early experience (deterministic, instincts)

therapeutic goals (psychoanalytic)

to make the unconscious conscious, understand unconscious conflicts, gain insight into one’s behavior, and strengthen the ego

black screen approach

the therapist attempts to remain neutral and anonymous, allowing the client to project feelings and expectations onto the therapist

transference

occurs when clients unconsciously transfer feelings, expectations, or attitudes from important people in their past onto the therapist

countertransference

occurs when the therapist develops emotional reactions toward the client

free association

client says whatever comes to mind, without censoring or editing thoughts

contributions (psychoanalytic therapy)

helped establish talk therapy, emphasized the importance of the unconscious, highlighted the influence of early childhood, and included defense mechanisms and transference

limitations (psychoanalytic therapy)

expensive, very lengthy, less culturally sensitive

individual psychology

Adler’s approach; emphasizes that people must be understood within their social context and relationships

phenomenological orientation

therapist attempts to view the world from the client’s frame of reference

inferiority feelings & striving for superiority

feeling inferior motivates people to grow, improve, and achieve competence

social interest

feeling connected to and contributing to others/community

therapeutic goals (Adlerian therapy)

increase belonging + social interest, and help clients develop more useful ways of living

existentialism

individuals are responsible for creating their own ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving

existential anxiety

anxiety that comes from facing freedom, uncertainty, responsibility, and mortality

view of human nature (existential therapy)

humans have freedom and responsibility and must create meaning in life while being aware of death

explanation for psychological problems (existential therapy)

a restricted existence

therapeutic goals (existential therapy)

recognize freedom and responsibility

contributions (existential therapy)

emphasizes meaning-making and personal choice

limitations (existential therapy)

less structured/systematic than other approaches

actualizing tendency

natural drive to grow, develop, and reach one’s potential

view of human nature (person-centered therapy)

people are resourceful, capable, and naturally motivated to grow

explanation for psychological problems (person-centered therapy)

incongruence and conditions of worth

incongruence

gap between who you are and who you think you should be

conditions of worth

feeling you must meet others’ expectations to be valued

therapeutic goals (person-centered therapy)

increased independence, self-acceptance, and congruence

3 core conditions for therapists

congruence (genuine), unconditional positive regard, empathy

contributions (person-centered therapy)

emphasized the therapeutic relationship and psychotherapy research

limitations (person-centered therapy)

lack of specific techniques, relies heavily on the therapist-client relationship

paradoxical theory of change

change happens when we fully accept/become who we are, rather than trying to force ourselves to change

view of human nature (gestalt therapy)

people can self-regulate and meet their needs when they are aware

explanation for psychological problems (gestalt therapy)

caused by lack of awareness and unfinished business

therapeutic goals (gestalt therapy)

increase awareness

empty chair technique

client talks to an imaginary person in an empty chair to express feelings or work through unfinished business

contributions (gestalt therapy)

holistic approach; uses creative experiments/activities

limitations (gestalt therapy)

could be confrontational, may feel uncomfortable or intense

explanation for psychological problems (psychoanalytic)

explained as being caused by unconscious conflicts; internal struggles that a person is unaware of