1 Mario De La Garza, M.Ed. University of North TexasTheoretical Models of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 3rd Edition Chapter 1: Introduction Mario De La Garza, M.Ed. University of North Texas
2 Counseling Theory (Advantages)Provides Order and meaning Internally consistent concepts and terms Rationale Explains How individuals develop Problems individuals face How counseling can help
3 Similarities among Counseling TheoriesPeople are born with certain innate tendencies and psychological functions. People are influenced by their environments. People develop due to an interaction of innate tendencies, environment, and other factors. People can function in preferable or unpreferable ways. People can develop further – to a more preferable mode of functioning. Counseling can help people develop toward more preferable functioning.
4 Differences among Counseling TheoriesHow people are innately endowed How people are influenced by their environments How people develop What constitutes preferable functioning How people change How counseling helps people change toward more preferable functioning
5 Why not one theory? Blind men and elephant picture: Hologram diagram:
6 Disadvantages of Counseling TheoryEach theory is a reflection of the theorist’s understanding of human experience and behavior. Each theory, then, becomes a filter that may Miss certain data Dismiss certain data Misinterpret certain data Deny certain data
7 Reconciling Advantages & DisadvantagesDecide to be atheoretical. Decide to be polytheoretical. Decide to identify YOUR theory of counseling and use resources from other theories that align with YOUR theory.
8 Is there a superior theory?No one counseling approach has emerged superior to other approaches. Intelligent, insightful people disagree on how they see the world. Currently, the largest percentage of counselors identify with cognitive-behavioral, existential, and psychodynamic theories.
9 Identifying Your Guiding Theory of CounselingEven now, you would respond to a client in a counseling session based on some rationale. You already have ideas about human nature, role of the environment in personality development, healthy and unhealthy functioning, and personality change processes. Thus, you already have a counseling theory, and it probably matches one of the existing theories better than the others.
10 The Seven C’s of Counseling TheoryComplete Clear Consistent Concrete Current Creative Conscious
11 Watts’s Four-stage Model of Theory IdentificationExploration stage Examination stage Integration stage Personalization stage
12 Nature/Nurture QuestionFor most personality traits Genes explain 30% – 50% of variance Environment explains 50% – 70% of variance Non-shared, unique experiences have more influence than shared factors. Caregiver behavior may be the result, rather than the cause, of a child’s behavior. Genes may be expressed at different ages or under specific circumstances.
13 Nature/Nurture QuestionA person’s destiny is NOT determined by one’s genes. Genetics has been linked to schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, Alzheimer’s disease, antisocial behavior, anxiety disorder, extreme introversion, and other phenomena for which individuals seek counseling. Prevailing view in mental health: Distressing psychological symptoms are the result of a combination of genetic vulnerability (diathesis) and environmental factors (stress).
14 DSM 5 Diagnosis American Psychiatric Association published the first edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1952. Purpose Identify categories of mental disorders Establish nationally acceptable nomenclature and descriptions of mental disorders Determine incidence rates of mental disorders
15 Pharmacotherapy Has been found to be less effective than psychotherapyHas been found to be as effective as psychotherapy Has been found to be more effective than psychotherapy …depending on the particular study.
16 Managed Care and Brief TherapyHealth Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) Medicaid and Medicare Favor approaches that are brief and have been validated, in particular, cognitive-behavioral approaches
17 Technical EclecticismEclecticism: selecting what seems best from various systems Impossible to be atheoretical A polytheoretical approach is inconsistent Theoretical eclecticism versus technical eclecticism
18 Diversity Issues Ethnic diversity Religious diversitySexual orientation “Respecting diversity means that [counselors] are committed to acquiring the knowledge, skills, personal awareness, and sensitivity that are essential to working effectively with diverse client populations” (Herlihy & Corey, 1996, p. 295). Respecting diversity is an ethical mandate of the American Counseling Association.
19 Effectiveness of PsychotherapyAt least 50% of clients will achieve beneficial outcome in 5 – 10 sessions. 20% – 33% of clients will need more than 25 sessions for positive outcome. Lower likelihood of success: Poor motivation Hostility History of poor relationships Passivity
20 Effectiveness of Psychotherapy
21 Purpose of Your Theories TextHelp you learn about the most prominent theories of psychotherapy Help you compare and contrast the theories to determine what is Similar between two or more theories, and Different between theories / unique to given theories Help you comparatively evaluate the research supporting the various theories Help you compare your views about how people are innately endowed, develop, and change with the views of each theorist …all so that you can identify the guiding theory that best reflects your identity – that is a “best fit” for you as a developing mental health professional.
22 References Fall, K. A., Holden, J. M., & Marquis, A. (2016). Theoretical models of counseling and psychotherapy (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge.