What are The Theories of Counselling

Psychotherapist theories provide therapists a structured framework for interpreting and analysing a client’s behaviour, ideas, and feelings and assisting them in navigating the issue and potential paths to resolution.

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Theories of Counselling

Psychoanalysis or psychodynamic theory

This hypothesis, commonly referred to as the historical viewpoint theory, was developed by Sigmund Freud, who thought that unconscious forces influence how people behave. He created a method called free association, which involves speaking openly and honestly with the psychiatrist about every detail, whether or not it is restricted. In his study, Freud discusses dreams and the significance they have for human behaviour. He also makes reference to the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious minds as part of his psychoanalytical theory.

In order to fully understand a client’s behaviour, counsellors and psychotherapists that employ this technique frequently concentrate on the past, childhood memories, or any other incident that is connected to the past. Research on this hypothesis is extensive. Compared to certain short-term theories, psychodynamic theory might take longer time since it entails profound behaviour change and extensive self-understanding.

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Behavioral Theory

This hypothesis is predicated on the idea that behaviour is continuously taught throughout time. Famous dog-based study on canine learning was conducted by Pavlov. Dogs, for instance, will salivate and go to a certain food location when they hear bells.

Another behavioural therapy study by B. F. Skinner was done on operant conditioning. He thought that incentives might make something more likely to happen and that penalties could make something less likely to happen. The most likely place to witness this is a zoo.

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Cognitive Theory

Aaron Beck, a psychotherapist, created cognitive theory in the 1960s. According to this counselling idea, people’s thoughts have the power to alter their moods and actions over time. According to this view, the present is far more important than the past. Therapists and counsellors frequently blend cognitive and behavioural ideas.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, has been found in research to help with several mental illnesses including anxiety, personality, eating, and substance abuse disorders.

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Humanistic Approach

With this method, therapists put greater emphasis on the present and helping their patients reach their full potential. Humanists believe in goodness and place emphasis on a person’s self-growth and self-actualization rather than the past or bad behaviours.

Humanistic theories include client-centered, gestalt, and existential therapies.

Carl Rogers developed client-centered therapy, which focuses on the belief that clients control their future and solutions. He believed that all therapists need to do is show their genuine care and interest toward the client.

Gestalt therapists’ work focuses more on what’s going on in the moment versus what is being said in therapy.

Existential therapists help clients find meaning in their lives by focusing on free will, self-determination, and responsibility.

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Holistic or Integrative Therapy

In this approach, the focus supports a whole person not just on mental health but on the whole body. This approach focuses on physical, mental, spiritual, and social beings.

For example, health care focuses on the whole body, not just one thing.

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