Theories of counseling and psychotherapy : a case approach

"My theory helps me calm down and sort out what initially seems chaotic. In each chapter of this book I have tried to present the various theories in a straightforward, understandable way. What distinguishes this book from others is that I immediately illustrate the application of a construct or process by showing how it relates to a client case described at the beginning of the chapter. I chose to use different client cases for each chapter for at least two reasons: First, I wanted to show that theory could apply to clients who range across the broad spectrum of individual and cultural diversity and present with many kinds of distress. Second, I did not want my readers to lose interest from reading about the same case chapter after chapter. In essence, I have tried to make this book as engaging as I possibly could without compromising the intellectual quality of the presentations. However, it is an engaging and useful exercise to apply different theories to the same case, so I would urge the users of this book to undertake this task as a way of comparing the approaches in a meaningful way. The Theories I Chose A question always arises about which theories to include in a text like this one. Some choices are obvious; others less so. I included classical psychoanalysis-even though true analysis may not be common these days-because it is the foundation of the profession and the springboard for many other systems. If you ever write something that generates as much love and hate as Freud's work did, you have really created something important. I chose other theoretical approaches based on several criteria: (a) currency-whether the theory is used by professionals in the real world; (b) potential to contribute to an understanding of the counseling process even if the reader does not adopt the theory wholesale; and (c) comprehensiveness-the extent to which the theory provides a conceptual structure as well as guidelines for counseling and associated techniques"-- Front Cover Title Page Copyright Page Dedication About the Author Preface Brief Contents Contents Chapter 1 Theory Is a Good Thing What Is Theory? What Is Psychotherapy? Why Bother with Theory? Theory Is Fun Theory Works Theory Is Essential to Human Life Counselors Who Don’t Use Theory May Get Lost Your Task: Find Your Map Characteristics of Good Theory Precision and Testability Empirical Support Parsimony Stimulation Practicality So How Do I Choose a Theory? What about Me? What about My Client? Issues of Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice How to Use Theory Ethics: The Role of Professional Values and Standards Client Welfare Informed Consent Confidentiality Competence Multiple Relationships The Critical Question: How to Decide? How Theory Is Presented in This Text A Case Study Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Evaluation of the Theory Issues of Diversity The Case Study Summary Another Resource for Learning to Use Theory In Closing Chapter 2 Psychoanalysis Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Instinct Theory Topographic Model: The Iceberg Approach Structural Model: The Big Three Repression Symptoms as Symbols Defense Mechanisms Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Insight Resistance Transference Countertransference Phases of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Free Association Interpretation Analysis of the Resistance Dream Analysis Analysis of the Transference Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 3 Neoanalytic Approaches Overview Ego Psychology: ID Loses the Limelight Temporarily Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Object Relations: The Lego Approach Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Self Psychology—It’s All about Me Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Relational Psychoanalysis Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Evaluation of Neoanalytic Approaches Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 4 Individual Psychology Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Lifestyle Social Interest Inferiority Feelings Basic Tasks Basic Mistakes Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Interpretation Encouragement Natural and Logical Consequences Acting as If Pushing the Button Catching Oneself Creating Images Pleasing Someone Paradoxical Intention Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 5 Person-Centered Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Experience Actualizing Tendency Organismic Valuing Process Self Self-Actualizing Tendency Need for Positive Regard and Self-Regard Conditions of Worth Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Congruence Unconditional Positive Regard Empathy A Fourth Condition? Stages of the Therapeutic Process Therapeutic Techniques Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 6 Existential Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Modes of Being Anxiety The Ultimate Concerns Defenses Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Relationship and Presence Questioning Bracketing Attention to Nonverbal Behavior Self-Disclosure Paradoxical Intention Dereflection Dream Analysis Guided Fantasy Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 7 Gestalt Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Contact Needs Polarities Contact Disturbance Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Experiments Therapist Self-Disclosure Dialogues Playing the Projection Exaggeration Reversals Dream Work Awareness Training or Bodywork Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 8 Behavior Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Classical Conditioning Operant Conditioning Observational Learning Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Relaxation Training Exposure Therapy Systematic Desensitization Shaping Reinforcement Extinction Punishment Social and Communication Skills Training Stimulus Control Modeling Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 9 Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs ABCs Beliefs Goals Human Worth Ratings and USA Secondary Disturbances Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Disputing Bibliotherapy Proselytizing Recordings Reframing Stop and Monitor Rational Coping Statements Rational Emotive Imagery Flamboyant Therapist Actions Humor Role Playing Reinforcements and Penalties Skill Training In Vivo Desensitization Acting on Rational Beliefs Homework Shame Attacking Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 10 Cognitive Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs The Cognitive Model Schemas Beliefs Automatic Thoughts Modes Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Questioning Downward Arrow Thought Recording Behavioral Experiments Activity Scheduling Graded Tasks Problem Solving Imagery Role Playing and Other Behaviorally Oriented Techniques Identifying Adaptive Beliefs, Boosting Positive Emotion, and Identifying Values and Aspirations Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 11 Reality Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Basic Needs Quality World Total Behavior Choice Theory Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Questioning Bibliotherapy Doing the Unexpected Reframing Humor Self-Disclosure Metaphors Physical Activity and Meditation Allowing or Imposing Consequences Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 12 Feminist Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Gender The Personal Is Political Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Gender-Role and Power Analysis Self-Disclosure Assertiveness Training Bibliotherapy Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 13 Family Systems Theory Overview The Satir Approach Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Structural Family Therapy Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Strategic Therapy Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Bowen Family Systems Theory Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Evaluation of the Family Systems Approaches Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 14 Solution-Focused Therapy Background Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Exceptions Solution Focused Conversation Strengths and Resources Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Questions Normalizing the Problem Compliments Miracle Question Scaling Questions Asking about the Problem Externalizing First Session Formula Task Generic Task Breaking Patterns Surprise Task Write, Read, and Burn Structured Fight Do Something Different Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity The Case Study Chapter 15 Narrative Therapy Overview Basic Philosophy Human Motivation Central Constructs Stories Thinness and Thickness Unique Outcomes Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Assessment Overview of the Therapeutic Atmosphere Roles of Client and Counselor Goals Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Questioning Double Listening Outsider Witness Practices Written Artifacts Evaluation of the Theory Qualities of the Theory Research Support Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity The Case Study Chapter 16 Mindfulness Approaches Overview Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Dialectical Behavior Therapy Overview Central Constructs Theory of the Person and Development of the Individual Health and Dysfunction Nature of Therapy Process of Therapy Therapeutic Techniques Evaluation of Mindfulness Approaches Qualities of the Theory and Empirical Support Research Support Issues of Diversity The Case Study Chapter 17 Conclusion Is This a Good Theory? Empirical Support Stimulating Practical Your Philosophical Assumptions Your Beliefs about Human Behavior Your Personal Style: Approach and Technique The Role of Your Clients: Diversity Is Here to Stay Eclectic and Integrative Approaches to Psychotherapy The Contextual Model Conclusion References Name Index Subject Index