Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy - Midterm

Existential Therapy (3 key people)

Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, Irvin Yalom

Existential Therapy (What does this model stress?)

Reacting against the tendency to view therapy as a system of well-defined techniques, this model stresses BUILDING THERAPY ON THE BASIC CONDITIONS OF HUMAN EXISTENCE (such as choice, the freedom and responsibility to shape one's life, and self-determinati

Existential Therapy (What quality does this model focus on?)

This therapy model focuses on the quality of the PERSON-TO-PERSON RELATIONSHIP

3 Experiential and Relationship-Oriented Therapies:

Existential
Person-Centered
Gastalt

4 Cognitive Behavioral Approaches

Behavior therapy
Cognitive behavior therapy
Reality therapy
Rational emotive behavior therapy

2 Psychodynamic Approaches

Psychoanalytic therapy
Adlerian therapy

Existential Theory Background: Philosophical Antecedents (name 3 people, and 1 major world event prior to).

Kierkegaard (1813-1855)
Nietzsche (1844-1900)
Heidegger (1889-1976)
after WWI - Europeans saw death all around.

Kierkegaard (name lifespan, theory he influenced, 3 beliefs)

1813-1855
Existential Theory
believes that:
-humankind's MAIN ISSUES are a RESULT of ABSENCE OF PASSION, LOVE, and COMMITMENT
-PURE OBJECTIVITY (fairness, neutrality) IS IMPOSSIBLE
-A subject can NEVER BE truly SEPERATED FROM its CONTEXT

Nietzsche (name lifespan, theory he influenced, 3 beliefs)

1844-1900
Existential Theory
Beliefs:
-NOT a Christian
-Rationalism was a myth
-Primacy of the "will to power

Heidegger (name lifespan, theory he influenced, & 3 beliefs)

1889-1976
Existential Theory
Beliefs:
-Every choice represents the loss of an alternative
-lost opportunities in the past are essential to an individual
-when ruminating over lost opportunities, people feel: guilt & anxiety

Existential (definition)

Of or relating to existence

Rollo May (name the following):
-lifespan, birthplace
-psychology background/mentors
-key contribution(s) and main theory

-1909-1994, Detroit;
-Studied under:
Alfred Adler (sumer abroad in Vienna)
Paul Tillich (at Union Theological Seminary);
-Existential Theory;
- helped merge counseling and existential thought.

Victor Frankl (name the following):
-lifespan, birthplace, general family background
-psychology background/mentors
-key contribution(s) and main theory

-Vienna, middle-class Jewish parents; 3 years Nazi concentration camp
-psychiatrist; associated w/ Freud and Adler's theories;
-advocated humanistic thought into existential theories
- developed "Logotherapy

Logotherapy

basic theme is to find meaning and purpose in every aspect of life (even tragedy); developed by Victor Frankl

Who studied under alfred adler and Paul Tillich?

Rollo May (existential theory)

Who advanced merging of counseling and existential thought?

Rollo May (existential theory)

Who was born in Vienna, to middle-class Jewish parents and spent 3 years in a Nazi concentration camp?

Victor Frankl (existential theory)

What Psychiatrist, from existential theory, is associated with Freud and Adler's theories?

Victor Frankl

Who developed Logotherapy?

Victor Frankl (existential theory)

Who helped advocate humanistic thought into existential theories?

Victor Frankl (existential theory)

Existential Therapy's set techniques:

-more about how to help others than a set patter of theory/techniques

In Existential Therapy, individuals are a whole, made up of what 3 main categories?

individual's are a whole made up of biological, relational, personal.

Existential Therapy: main goals (name 4)

- move toward wholeness
- help client face anxiety
- live more authentically
- find meaning in life

in Existential Therapy, an authentic being has what qualities?

-creative
-neither inherently good nor bad.
-open to change
-vulnerable
-has hope and meaning

Existential therapy takes a Phenomenological approach

One must appreciate an individual's experiences to understand their behavior

One must appreciate an individual's experiences to understand their behavior: what type of approach is this, and which therapy takes this approach?

Phenomenological approach; Existential therapy

In existential therapy, individuals choose how they respond to external and internal stimuli. This is called what?

Self Responsibility (individual has potential to be aware of all sensations, thoughts, motivations, perceptions, & capable of making choices because of their potential).

Self Responsibility

an individual has potential to be aware of all sensations, thoughts, motivations, perceptions, & is capable of making choices because of their potential.

Self Responsibility is correlated with which type of therapy?

Existential

Self Determination

Individuals have the capacity to govern their own lives effectively - or have the ability to transcend situations and derive meaning from all types of experiences.

In existential therapy, individuals have ability to govern their lives/transcend situations, derive meaning from experiences. This is called what?

Self Determination (Individuals have the capacity to govern their own lives effectively - or have the ability to transcend situations and derive meaning from all types of experiences)

Individuals cannot experience the past or the future. they can only experience self in the present. What theory does this view belong to?

Existential theory

anxiety is essential for growth. Which theory does this view belong to?

Existential theory

Existential therapy process involves 5 main themes.

- client's relationship with therapist
- client reveals true self thru facing anxieties, resistance, dreams, and telling story.
- client becomes aware of self
- client takes responsibility for self
- client brings closure to past relationships and losses

In Existential therapy, the client reveals their true self thru what 4 main concepts?

client reveals true self thru:
-facing anxieties
-confronting resistances
-exploring dreams
-telling their story

client reveals true self thru:
-facing anxieties
-confronting resistances
-exploring dreams
-telling their story
What type of therapy is this?

Existential therapy

Name the 3 major approaches to Existentialism.

1) Dynamic
2) Humanistic
3) Transpersonal

Dynamic Existentialism

psychodynamic focused (focusing on treating inner conflict and anxiety)

Humanistic Existentialism

client-centered (emphasizes personal experience, empathy, authenticity, unconditional positive regard)

Transpersonal existentialism

spiritually focused (all humans are seen as spiritual: gives another perspective on tragedies/joys of life)

Psychoanalytic theory (name the founder, theory of ___, Philosophy of ____, and 2 points it focuses on).

Founder: Sigmund Freud.
Theory: of personality development
Philosophy: of human nature
METHOD of psychotherapy: focuses on unconscious behavioral motivations
FOCUS: events of first 6 years of life as determinants of later personality dvlpmt

Sigmund Freud (name lifespan; familial/cultural history)

1856-1939
- raised by jewish parents,
- influenced by Victorian society
(culture of shame etc around immoral/sexual behavior)

Sigmund Freud (training/education)

trained in modern equivalent of neurology (commonly thought that mental illness had organic cause)
Darwin/evolutionary thought influenced his scientific thinking and beliefs about adaptability and determinism.

Darwin's evolutionary theory influenced Freud's beliefs about what?

scientific thought
Adaptability
determinism

adaptability

ability to change

Determinism

Assumption of science, Behavior is caused by some event.

Psychoanalytical Association

1918-1939
RAPID INCREASE in worldwide #s of psychoanalytical edu.
huge force in therapeutic psychology.

Personal characteristics of effective counselors ((name 12) hint = I. A.D.H.D. S.H.E. S.L.O.P.)

Identity
Authentic, sincere, honest
Deeply involved
Humor
Derives meaning from work
Self respect & appreciation
Healthy boundaries
Effective Interpersonal skills
Sincere interest in welfare of others
Life oriented choices
Open to change
Passionate

Benefits of personal therapy for the counselor (name 3)

1) learn the model experientially (what it's like to be the client
2) further interpersonal skills
3) help manage ongoing stress at work

transference

therapist becomes the object of a patient's emotional attitudes toward an important person in their life (ex: parent)

Counter transference

When the therapist puts their emotional baggage on the client.

Roll of Values in counseling

...

Role of values in developing therapeutic goals

...

counselors values and the therapeutic process

...

effective multicultural counselor

...

acquire competencies in multicultural counseling

...

incorporate culture in counseling practice

...

Most powerful way to teach your clients (name 2)

model the behavior
connect with them

it is impossible to separate these three things: techniques you use, _________, and __________.

Techniques used, your personality, & your relationship w/ client

Counselors facilitate healing through a process of ______________________ with their clients.

genuine dialogue

role playing technique

acting out a situation, without all real characters being present.

purpose of role-playing technique

...

Psychoanalytic emphasis

early psychosexual & psychosocial development

Collaborative relationship
+ Teaching clients to apply lessons
__________________________________

empowers client to take active stance in their world.

Theoretical pluralism

using multiple theories/approaches

Psychoanalytic therapy is largely based on what? (name 3)

Insight
unconscious motivation
reconstruction of the personality

Which ONE model has been a major influence on all other formal systems of Psychotherapy?

Psychoanalytic therapy

Adlerian Theory (name focuses - hint 6: abc, img)

analytic
focuses on:
-ABC (Action/Behavior is Conscious)
-Interest in social/belonging
-Meaning
-Goals

Adlerian therapy accounts for present behavior by ______________.

studying childhood experiences
(helps understand present behavior - adlerian therapy)

Existential approach stresses a concern for what it means to be _____________.

fully human
(a concern stressed by Existential approach)

Preparing for counseling, you will acquire knowledge about what 3 categories?

1) THEORIES of personality/therapy
2) TECHNIQUES for assessment and intervention
3) HUMAN BEHAVIOR dynamics

Contextual factors

Primary determinants of therapeutic outcome:
- Alliance
- client agency (focus on client)
- Relationship
- personal/interpersonal skills of therapist
- extra-therapeutic factors

client agency

Any agency that is set up to serve a specific group. (ex- Social Security: older people)

Primary determinants of therapeutic outcome

contextual factors:
Alliance, client agency (focus on client), Relationship, personal/interpersonal skills of therapist, extra-therapeutic factors

Which heals the suffering client?
A) human dimension of therapy
B) techniques
C) theories

Therapy method and therapy theory combined, help heal the suffering client.

In work as a therapist, expect to confront your own unexplored personal blocks such as:

loneliness, power, death, intimate relationships

if you have difficulty dealing with an area, it may be difficult to help a client in that same area. (example: anger, conflict, etc)

...

Active imagination

purposeful reflection for healing, specifically using/following one's imagination

Active imagination (developer)

Carl Jung

Collective unconscious

(Carl Jung)
reservoir of memories inherited from/shared with our ancestors

Shadow

- thoughts, feelings, and actions that we tend to disown by projecting them outward.
- Less conscious than Persona
- influences development of persona
(The part of us that we don't want to pay attn to - but if we ignore it, it can control us).

ego

(psychoanalysis) the conscious mind

Persona

An individual's pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting (can be false/mask like in order to fit in)

Anoma

female aspect in collective conscious of men

Animas

male aspect in collective conscious of women

Self

expression of unity of personality;
An individual's awareness of his or her own personal characteristics and level of functioning.

superior function

the primary ways in which an individual expresses their conscious personality
(ex: superior = thinking, inferior = feeling)

Confession

(Jungian Therapy)
Reveal conscious and unconscious secrets,
shared secret = beneficial / private = destructive

inferior function

the weaker/least developed personality traits of an individual; may be unconscious (dreams, fantasies, etc)
(ex: superior = thinking, inferior = feeling)

Elucidation

explanation; clarification;
shed light on darkness
(Ex: "wow you sound really mad at what I just said.", "yeah, bc.......)

Strategizing

process of figuring out WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, and HOW TO DO IT, in order to accomplish a goal.

Transformation

actualizing of true self

True Self

The person you actually are. (Rogers' theory)

Ethereal

(adj.) light, airy, delicate; highly refined; suggesting what is heavenly (rather than earthbound)

Individuation

(Carl Jung)
emergence true self through balancing /integration conflicting parts of the personality

Psychological type

(Carl Jung)
descriptor of personality, evolves/develops over time, superior & inferior function

Archetype

(Carl Jung)
universal traits/characters that make up personality (seen in religion, art, history)

Personal Unconscious

(Carl Jung)
holds trauma residue, life transition, other that is below conscious awareness, access thru dreams, therapy, life events that trigger

Privileged communication

Information held confidential within a protected relationship.

Informed consent

educates client on their rights and responsibilities;
Can include: goals; counselor/client responsibilities; therapy process; legal, ethical and confidentiality terms; services, fees, counselor qualifications; etc...

Evidence-based practice

involves using data generated by research to inform process and outcome of treatment.
omits factors of uniqueness to client personality/culture, therapist/client relationship, etc.

Practice-based evidence

involves using data generated during treatment to inform process and outcome of treatment

Dual / Multiple relationships

Counselor assumes 2+ roles with a client simultaneously or subsequently.

Nonsexual dual relationships (name 8 examples)

teacher and therapist
supervisor and therapist
bartering for goods/services
borrowing money
providing therapy to friend, employee, relative
social relationship with client
accepting expensive gift from client
going into a business venture with client

perspectives on multiple relationships

UNAVOIDABLE: small towns, personal needs
AVOIDABLE & NOT BENEFICIAL: put client needlessly at risk
ETHICAL BUT UNWISE:
UNETHICAL: when exploit/has significant potential harm to client

Why are multiple relationship unwise

potential for misusing power, exploiting client, impairing objectivity

Critical dimensions of ethical practice in multiple relationships

general guidelines, good judgment, willingness to reflect on own practice, awareness of own motivations

Boundaries in Counseling

therapeutic-fiduciary relationships ("therapeutic frame").
distinguish psychotherapy from nonprofessional relationships.
- time and place of sessions, fees and confidentiality
- client/therapists interactions: self-disclosure, physical contact, gifts, con

Value imposition

Refers to counselors attempting to influence a client to adopt their own values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors.

core beliefs

values;
beliefs that are strongly held and hard to change

re-educative therapy

involves learning new ways of perceiving and behaving

psychic determinism

Freud's assumption that all our mental and behavioral responses are caused by unconscious traumas, desires, or conflicts

Defense mechanisms

In psychoanalytic theory, the ego's protective methods of reducing anxiety by unconsciously distorting reality.

psychosexual developmental stages

(psychoanalysis)
the process during which personality and sexual behavior mature through a series of stages: first oral stage and then anal stage and then phallic stage and then latency stage and finally genital stage

free association

(psychoanalysis)
person relaxes and says whatever comes to mind, no matter how trivial or embarrassing, in order to explore the unconscious

conversion hysteria

a mental disorder characterized by the conversion of mental conflict into somatic forms
(into paralysis or anesthesia having no apparent cause)

psychosomatic

Caused by mental or emotional problems rather than by physical illness.

Reality principle

(Freud)
the attempt by the ego to find safe, realistic ways of meeting the needs of the id

pleasure principle

(Freud)
id's desire to maximize pleasure and minimize pain in order to achieve immediate gratification.

adaptive

(psychoanalysis)
individual's will attempt to cope with life's demands

denial

closing one's eyes" to the existence of a threatening aspect of reality

repression

threatening or painful thoughts rand feelings are excluded from awareness

reaction formation

actively expressing the opposite impulse when confronted with a threatening impulse

projection

attributing to others one's own unacceptable desires and impulses

displacement

directing energy toward another object or person when the original object or person is inaccessible

rationalization

manufacturing "good" reasons to explain away a bruised ego

sublimation

diverting sexual or aggressive energy into other channels

regression

going back to an earlier phase of development when there were fewer demands

introjection

taking and "swallowing" the values and standards of others

identification

identifying with successful causes, organizations, or people in the hope that you will be perceived as worthwhile

compensation

masking perceived weaknesses/ developing certain positive traits, to make up for limitations

Object relations theory

(psychodynamic theory)
desire for relationships as the key motivating force in human behavior

self Psychology

A theory that emphasizes how we use interpersonal relationships (self objects) to develop our own sense of self.

Relationship psychoanalysis

...

topographic

(psychoanalysis)
there is a conscious and unconscious mind

Dynamic

(psychoanalysis)
every effect on an individual has cause of psychic energy needing to be discharged

economic

(psychoanalysis)
individuals seek to mediate, and distribute, pleasure and pain

goals of psychoanalysis

make unconscious conscious
work thru unresolved dvlpmt tensions
accurate sense of self - able to cope with stress

psychoanalysis techniques

free association
transference
dream interpretation
analysis of resistance/defense mechanisms

blank-screen approach

Analysts typically assumes an anonymous stance