Family Systems Therapy

What is Family Systems Therapy?  This systemic approach is based on the assumption that the key to changing the individual is understanding and working with the family (Corey, 2012, p. 11). Family systems therapy is a brief type of therapy session that offers families professional help to help resolve issues of a problematic symptom within a family.  The main focus of family therapy is on here-and-now interactions in the family systems (Corey, 2012, p. 456). The ultimate key is establishing change for the better within the family relationships.
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Key Figures:  Alfred Adler, Murray Bowen, Virginia Satir, Carl Whitaker, Salvador Minuchin, Jay Haley, & Cloe' Madanes are just a few of the key figures within the development of Family Systems Therapy.

• Alfred Adler (1870 - 1937) was the first psychologist of the modern era to do family therapy using a systemic approach (Corey, 2012, p. 433)

Murray Bowen (1913 - 1990) was one of the original developers of mainstream family therapy (Corey, 2012, p. 433).

Virginia Satir (1916 - 1988)

Virginia Satir was a key figure in the development of family therapy.

Carl Whitaker, M.D.

(1912 - 1995) is the creator of symbolic-experiential family therapy, a freewheeling, intuitive approach to helping families open channels of interaction (Corey, 2012. p. 434).

Salvador Minuchin
Salvador Minuchin (1921-) began to develop structural family therapy in the 1960s through his work with delinquent boys from poor families at the Wiltwyck School in New York (Corey, 2012, p. 434). ay Haley (1923 - 2007) is one of the founders of family therapy.

 Cloe' Madanes (1941 - ) is one of the originators of the strategic approach to family therapy.
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Key Concepts:  The main element for family systems therapy is to help the families in the time of need.  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 456) "An individual's problematic behavior grows out of the interactional  unit of the family as well as the larger community and societal systems." One way in which family therapy differs from many individual therapies is its emphasis on how current family relationships contribute to the development and maintenance of symptom (Corey, 2012, p. 456). The main concept strives for family relationships to help strengthen the weaken individual during the time when a family should pull together.
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Goals of Theory: With family systems therapy the type of therapy session is brief with the intervention being a quick resolving accessment. Since there is a vast amount of key figures involved in family systems therapy, the ultimate outcome is to promote change to the individual causing  the dysfunction within the family through various techniques: role playing, family reconstruction and other areas to promote change.  Family therapy is grounded on a set of values and theoretical assumptions.  Ultimately, every intervention a therapists makes is an expression of a value judgement (Corey, 2012, p. 456). Family systems therapy can help promote intervention for a family in the time of crisis being either a death of a family member, drug /alcohol dependency, relationship issues, marital issues or   issues of a family going through a divorce.
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Techniques:  Personal characteristics such as respect for clients, compassion, empathy, and sensitivity are human qualities that influence the manner in which techniques are delivered (Corey, 2012, p. 456).  Family Systems Therapy can include a diverse range of counseling styles and methods to help incorporate a full circle of therapy.  Several different techniques may include: communication theory, psychotherapy, reality therapy, role-playing, systemic coaching, and attachment-focused family therapy to just name a few types of counseling techniques they may be beneficial for clients.
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Suggested Video Link:  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBfaIN0rKWM

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References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

             CA:  Brooks/Cole.

Psychotherapy.Net. (2009, June). Kenneth Hardy Family Systems Therapy Video Clip, Retrieved

             June 15, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBfaIN0rKWM

Postmodern Approaches

What exactly is Postmodern Approaches?  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.423) "In social constructionist theory the therapist-as-expert is replaced by the client-as-expert." There are two types of therapies: solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy. With postmodern approaches the therapy sessions are short-termed with a limited amount of therapy sessions which are future-focused and goal oriented.  Basically with postmodern approach clients choose the goals they wish to accomplish in their therapy sessions, little attention is given to diagnosis, history of the past issues or the exact cause of the problem. 
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Key Figures:  Insoo Kim Berg, Steve de Shazer, Michael White, & David Epston are just a few of the key figures.  The postmodern approaches do not have a single founder.  Rather, it has been a collective effort by many (Corey, 2012, p. 396).




Insoo Kim Berg (1935-2007)  co-developer of the solution-focused approach.

Steve de Shazer (1940-2005) an early developer of solution-focused brief therapy.

Michael White (1949-2008) co-founder of narrative therapy.

David Epston (1944 -) is a co-founder of narrative therapy.


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Key Concepts:  Working with two types of therapies can make a impact of the clients future.
With solution-focused brief therapy, therapists focus on what is possible, and they have little or no interest in gaining an understanding of how the problem emerged (Corey, 2012, p. 400).  The main goal is to change the clients behavior for the better. The solution-focused brief therapy was developed by Insoo  Kim Berg & Steve de Shazer.  With the narrative therapy approach, therapists are encouraged to listen to clients' stories with an open mind and not label the clients'.
 Both solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy are based on the optimistic assumption that people are healthy, competent, resourceful, and posses the ability to construct solutions and alternative stories that can enhance their lives (Corey, 2012, p. 424).  The narrative therapy approach was developed by Michael White & David Epston. "Therapy is, in part, a reestablishment of personal agency from the oppression of external problems and the dominant stories of larger systems" (Corey, 2012, p. 410).



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Goals of Theory:   With the solution-focused brief therapy and narrative therapy approach the clients specific needs are unique just as each individual client is.  Typically the therapy sessions may be a set limited amount say 6 to 8 meeting sessions. The solution-focused therapist believes people have the ability to define meaningful personal goals and that they have the resources required to solve their problems (Corey, 2012, p. 403).  Solution-focused brief therapy focus on the clients here and now issues, clients choose the type of goals they wish to accomplish without rehashing past information of their lives.  Narrative therapy also engages the clients in the therapy sessions helping them work toward their goals.  A general goal of narrative therapy is to invite people to describe their experience in new and fresh language.  In doing this, they open up new vistas of what is possible (Corey, 2012, p. 412).  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 424). "Practitioners with solution-focused or narrative orientations tend to engage clients in conversations that lead to progressive narratives that help clients make steady gains toward their goals."


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Techniques:   Some of the key techniques that solution-focused practitioners are likely to employ include looking for differences in doing, exception questions, scaling questions, and the miracle questions (Corey, 2012, p. 406).  These techniques must be set into motion by the therapist to instill proper goals will be attained by the client's.  With the narrative therapy approach the end result will be based on how well information is gathered and generated from the client.  A narrative approach to counseling is more than the application of skills; it is based on the therapist's personal characteristics that create a climate that encourages clients to see their stories from different perspectives (Corey, 2012, p.414).  Having the clients retell their stories, break the stories up, and help get a sense of direction ultimately their goals are met and new solutions are gained from the therapy sessions.

Suggested link:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBZlgmebwY

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

             CA:  Brooks/Cole.

PsychotherapyNet. (2009, April). Solution-Focused Couples Therapy Insoo Kim Berg Video Clip. 

              Retrieved June 13, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQBZlgmebwY

Feminist Therapy

What is Feminist therapy?  A central concept is the concern for the psychological oppression of women (Corey, 2012, p. 11).  The origins of feminist therapy are connected with the women's movements of the late 1800s and the 1960s, when women united in vocalizing their dissatisfaction over the restrictive nature of traditional female roles (Corey, 2012, p. 384). Feminist therapy generally places direct view on societal, politics, and cultural events and causes to major issues faced in counseling processes. 
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Key Figures:  Jean Baker Miller, MD & Oliva M. Espin, PhD.   However, no one person can be named as the founder of Feminist therapy.

Jean Baker Miller (1928-2006)

Oliva M. Espin, PhD

Both Jean Miller & Oliva Espin helped set the stage of feminist therapy.  

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Key Concepts:  Several issues inspired feminist therapy to come into play.  Viewing problems in a sociopolitical and cultural context rather than an individual level, viewing women's experiences from an unique perspective, encouraging clients to get involved in social action to address oppressive aspects of the environment (Corey, 2012,p. 384-385).  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.367)"Feminist therapists emphasize that societal gender-role expectations profoundly influence a person's identity from the moment of birth and become deeply ingrained in adult personality (Corey, 2012, p. 367).

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Goals of Theory:  At the individual level feminist therapists work to help females and males recognize, claim, and embrace their personal power (Corey, 2012, p. 370).  Their aim is to depathalogize women's experiencing and to influence society so that female voices are honored and rational qualities are valued (Corey, 2012, p. 371).  The major goal is to replace the current patriarchal system with feminist consciousness and thus create a society that values equality in relationships, values diversity, stress interdependence rather dependence, and encourages both women and men to define themselves rather than being defined by societed demands (Corey, 2012, p. 385). The main goal of Feminist therapy is to empower women to a higher  level of functioning in today's society.

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Techniques: In reality there is not a specific style or technique of intervention Feminist therapy.  A therapist may try several different techniques during a therapy session such as empowerment, self-disclosure, gender-role intervention, and power analysis as mentioned in a recent textbook (Corey, 2012, p. 275-277).  Feminist therapy focuses on females in psychological distress to help them over come various obstacles through therapy sessions.  

 Feminist therapy is aimed at both personal and social change (Corey, 2012, p. 385).

Suggested links:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlO-dw7L36c

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of

      Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

       Belmont, CA:  Brooks/Cole.

SisterMaryAgnus. (2012, February). Mary and 

        Paul Presentation.wmv. Retrieved June

         10, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch  ?v=UlO-dw7L36c

Extra Credit Blog/ "The 12th Blog"

Adlerian Therapy

     The main reason why the Adlerian Therapy came to be was essentially because of the impact that Alfred Adler had on his own life.  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 127) "Adler was far ahead of his time, and most contemporary therapies have incorporated at least some of his ideas."  The event's early in Alfred Adler shaped his theories and approaches to pull together Adlerian Therapy. Alfred Adler was a sickly, done poorly in school, pampered child (at least by his mom), and very jealous of his siblings and soon his co-workers. However, with all of the elements stacked against him, he sought out to strive for excellence and went on to study medicine at various medical universities and became a doctor and eventually choose the path of psychiatry/psychology. Thus, through many approaches, countless hours of work the Adlerian Therapy Approach was born. Adler had a passionate concern for the common person and was outspoken about child-rearing practices, school reforms, and prejudices that resulted in conflict (Corey, 2012, p. 102). Alfred Adler had been influenced by several people during his lifetime, however; Hans Vaihinger a philosopher greatly influenced him. By finding out some of the key facts about Alfred Adler and the Adlerian Therapy Approach i chose this approach for my extra credit blog.


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     Out of the 11 approaches that have been studied, reviewed, and quizzed upon i would have to choose Adlerian therapy as the most interesting approach that i have previously studied. The Adlerian therapy approach was founded by  Alfred Adler.  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 11) "Adlerians focus on meaning, goals, purposeful behavior, conscious action, belonging, and social interest." Several key elements have influenced my decision for choosing the Adlerian therapy such as the key figure/founder, history of how the approach came to be, what exactly the approach is, how the approach is helpful and lastly why i thought this particular approach was interesting.

Sketch of Alfred Adler

"Alfred Adler (February 7, 1870 – May 28, 1937) was an Austrian medical doctor and psychologist, founder of the school of individual psychology. He examined human development in the context of the whole—how the person exists and interacts within the family, society, nation, and the world" according to (http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Alfred_Adler).  

     I feel that Alfred Adler's background has contributed to his key concepts of the Adlerian therapy method.  According to (Corey, 2012, p. 102) "Adler's early childhood experiences had an impact on the formation of his theory. Adler is an example of a person who shaped his own life as opposed to having it determined by fate." My understanding on Alfred Adler was that he grew up sickly, not the best educated, and did not get along to well with his father.  However, through time he was able to turn his life around for the better. He spoke and wrote in simple, nontechnical language so that the general population could understand and apply the principles of his approach in a practical way, which helped people meet the challenges of daily life (Corey, 2012, p. 102). According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 103) "After Adler's death in 1937, Rudolf Dreikurs was the most significant figure in bringing Adlerian psychology to the United States, especially as its principles applied to education, individual and group therapy, and family counseling."

     What exactly is the Adlerian therapy approach?  This particular type of therapy approach is a therapy of teaching, informing and encouraging the client, in order to help the client repair/heal mistakes in their personal life, and the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative one. Adler taught that we must successfully master three universal life tasks: building friendships (social task), establishing intimacy (love-marriage task), and contributing to society (occupational task) (Corey, 2012, p. 107).

     The Adlerian therapy approach is very helpful because this type of approach helps to build up the client's self-esteem through encouragement and by doing so the client will then build a positive outlook on their life making changes for the good. According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 109) "This is followed by a reeducation or reorientation of the client toward the useful side of life.  The main aim of therapy is to develop the client's sense of belonging and to assist in the adoption of behaviors and processes characterized by community feeling and social interest." Ultimately  the main goal of the Adlerian therapy is for the clients to make changes in their lives. This is a growth model that stresses assuming responsibility, creating one's own destiny, and finding meaning and goals to create a purposeful life (Corey, 2012, p. 10),

     Lastly the main reason why i chose this approach is because i find the Adlerian therapy approach to be the most interesting approach of the 11 different types of approaches. Birth order, social interest, and sibling relationships all stick out in my mind when i think about the Adlerian therapy approach and really i feel there is a link to this psychological information and life.  The Adlerian approach is unique in giving special attention to the relationships between siblings and the psychological birth position in one's family (Corey, 2012, p. 107). If one thinks about all of previous key points that i have mention a lot of therapeutic approaches can be used to help clients in many areas such as in education field, marriage counseling, and family counseling,  The Adlerian therapy sessions would tend to be brief  and help gather clear plans of action for helping the client start rebuilding their life for the better.

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).  Belmont,

     CA: Brooks/Cole.

Alfred Adler. (no date). New World Encyclopedia. Retrieved June, 10, 2012, from

      http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Alfred_Adler

      

Reality Therapy

What is Reality Therapy?  Reality therapy is a counseling approach that focuses on the here and now issues that a client may have. Many of the problems of clients are caused by their inability to connect, to get close to others, or to have a satisfying or a successful relationship with at least one significant person in their lives (Corey, 2012, p. 335). Basically with reality therapy it is an attempt to try and separate the negative behavior/issues from the client.  Reality therapy does not attempt to rehash the past lives of clients or deal with unconscious or conscious issues.
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Key Figures:  William Glasser & Robert E. Wubbolding

William Glasser founder of Reality Therapy






Robert E. Wubbolding has taught classes on Reality Therapy and later developed the "WDEP" system.
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Key Concepts:  The heart of reality therapy is learning how to make better and more effective choices and gain more effective control. People take charge of their lives rather than being the victims of circumstances beyond their control (Corey, 2012, p. 354).  Reality therapy can be used in many different facilities such as hospitals, schools, and substance abuse centers.
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Techniques:  Several techniques can be used in reality therapy, such as the "WDEP system" and clients taking the first steps for change. The "WDEP system" in reality therapy consists of wants, doing, evaluation, planning and commitment. Many clients are often sent to reality therapy to change their lives for the better - sometimes the clients are made to attend therapy and then at other times the clients hit rock bottom and realize that it is time for change. The therapist guides clients toward a satisfying relationship and teaches them more effective ways behaving (Corey, 2012, p. 335). The key technique for the therapist to help the client is the environment and give the client the ability for them bond or connect (gain trust to help the client heal).
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Goals of theory:  Therapy consists mainly of helping and sometimes teaching clients to make more  effective choices as they deal with the people they need in their lives (Corey, 2012, p. 336).  This short-term approach is based on choice theory and focuses on the client assuming responsibility in the present.  Through the therapeutic process, the client is able to learn more effective ways of meeting her or his needs (Corey, 2012, p. 11).  The goals of reality therapy include behavioral change, better decision making, improved significant relationships, enhanced living, and more effective satisfaction of all the psychological needs (Corey, 2012, p. 354).  The ultimate goal of reality therapy is for the clients to change their lives for the better. 
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Suggested link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiUkHIHkEWQ 

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

             CA:  Brooks/Cole.

RealityTherapyDDM. (2008, July). Reality Therapy. wmv. Retrieved June 8, 2012, from

              http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiUkHIHkEWQ

Cognitive Behavior Therapy

What is Cognitive Behavior Therapy?  Cognitive behavior therapy gives a primary role to thinking as it influences behavior (Corey, 2012, p. 10). Cognitive behavior therapy is very effective for the treatment of several different conditions that one may have such as anxiety, drug and alcohol abuse, mood disorders, and other various psychotic disorders.  According to a recent website (quizlet.com) "Cognitive behavior therapy (clts) explores reasons for their behavior and seek to understand the ramifications of such behavior."
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Key Figures: Albert Ellis, Aaron Temkin Beck (A. T. Beck) & Judith S. Beck

Albert Ellis
Albert Ellis (September 27, 1913 – July 24, 2007) was an American psychologist who in 1955 developed Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT).
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Aaron T. Beck Aaron Temkin Beck (born July 18, 1921) is an American psychiatrist  and he is widely regarded as the father of cognitive therapy.  -----------------------------------------------------------------   Judith S. Beck Judith S. Beck, Ph.D., (born May 5, 1954) is an American psychologist who is best known for her work in cognitive therapy. Her father Aaron T. Beck, M.D., "The Father of Cognitive Therapy". ------------------------------------------------------------------ Key Concepts: Albert Ellis created one of the first cognitive behavior therapies, Rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT). REBT deals with thinking, judging, deciding, analyzing, and doing.  Rational emotive behavior therapy is based on the assumption that human beings are born with a potential for both rational, or "straight," thinking and irrational, or "crooked," thinking (Corey, 2012, p. 292).  A. T. Beck developed the approach known as "Cognitive therapy". According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 302) "Cognitive therapy (CT) perceives psychological problems as stemming from commonplace processes such as faulty thinking, making incorrect inferences on the basis of inadequate or incorrect information, and failing to distinguish between fantasy and reality." Beck's key concepts share similarities with REBT, but differ in underlying philosophy, the process by which therapy proceeds, and the formulation and treatment for different disorders (Corey, 2012, p. 321). Cognitive behavior therapy is typically short-term and focuses on helping clients deal with a very specific problem. During the course of treatment, people learn how to identify and change destructive or disturbing thought patterns that have negative influences on behavior to help them live more productive lives.

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Goals of Theory:  Cognitive behavior therapy is also a good option for individuals looking for a short-term treatment options without the use of medication. Cognitive behavior therapy offers clients therapy treatments that helps the clients develop coping skills that can be useful at the time of therapy sessions and for the future as well.  The therapist functions as a catalyst and a guide who helps clients understand how their beliefs and attitudes influence the way they feel and act (Corey, 2012, p.306). In some cases cognitive therapists even assign homework for the clients to help them gain awareness of their clinical needs.  Cognitive behavior therapy has been created to help with a wide variety of disorders.

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Techniques: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 308) "Cognitive techniques focus on identifying and examining a client's beliefs, exploring the origins of these beliefs, and modifying ).them if the client cannot support these beliefs."  There are various types of techniques to be used in cognitive behavior therapy such as role playing, behavior rehearsal, and homework assignments to help the client with various cognitive behavior issues. 

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Suggested link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvjoksJwHY

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9 th edition). Belmont,

             CA: Brooks/Cole.

lmtice. (2008, November). Cognitive Behavioral Therapy role play alcohol dependence. 

              Retrieved June 7, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtvjoksJwHY

Quizlet. (no date available). Counseling Theories Retrieved June 1, 2012, from

               www.quizlet.com/_6pcj

Behavior Therapy

What is behavior therapy - it is the focus on directly observable behavior, current determinants of behavior, learning experiences that promote change, tailoring treatment strategies to individual clients, & rigorous assessment and evaluation (Corey, 2012, p. 247).


Key Figures:  Burrhus Frederic Skinner & Albert Bandura

B. F. Skinner
B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990). Skinner is best known as the father of behavioral approach to psychology (Corey, 2012, p.245).
Skinner influenced education as well as psychology. In Skinner’s view, education has two major purposes: (1) to teach repertoires of both verbal and nonverbal behavior; and (2) to encourage students to display an interest in instruction. He endeavored to bring students’ behavior under the control of the environment by reinforcing it only when particular stimuli were present.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner)
Albert Bandura
Albert Bandura (1925-) Bandura broadened the scope of behavior therapy by exploring the inner cognitive-affective forces that motivate human behavior (Corey, 2012, p. 245).  Key Concepts: Behavior therapy is used to treat several different psychological disorders varying from anxiety disorders to eating disorders.  Four areas of development 1) Classical conditioning 2) Operant conditioning 3) Social-cognitive theory 4) Cognitive behavior therapy. The current trend in behavior therapy is toward developing procedures that give control to clients and thus increase their range of freedom (Corey, 2012, p. 250). According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 255) "In contrast, most behavioral practitioners contend that factors such as warmth, empathy, authenticity, permissiveness, and acceptance are necessary, but not sufficient, for behavior change to occur." Techniques:  In today's society behavior therapists use a wide range of techniques involving cognitive therapy as well as other behavioral conditioning techniques. According to an article (Corey, 2012, 278) "In helping clients achieve their goals, behavior therapists typically assume an active and directive role."  Basically, therapists in today's society want to help the client through various techniques to overcome past actions in their behavior by implementing new positive behaviors. Techniques such as role playing, relaxation procedures, behavioral rehearsal, coaching, guided practice, modeling, feedback, learning by successive approximations, mindfulness skills, and homework assignments can be included in any therapist's repertoire, regardless of theoretical orientation (Corey, 2012, p. 278). Goals of the theory:  The main goals of behavior therapy is for clients' current behavior to be changed to a better way of life. "Behavior therapy puts a premium on doing and on taking steps to make concrete changes" (Corey, 2012, p. 12).  Behavior therapy ultimately aims at giving clients the ability to learn new behaviors to help lead to a positive life while building up the clients self-esteem and confidence level as well. Suggested Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCyfMFXR-n0

References

B. F. Skinner (no date). Retrieved May 30, 2012 from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner)

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

         CA:  Brooks/Cole.

AIPC://www.aipc.net.au/lz (2006, October). Behavior Therapy. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCyfMFXR-n0

Gestalt Therapy

What is Gestalt Therapy? Gestalt therapy is an existential, phenomenological, and process-based approach created on the premise that individuals must be understood in the context of their ongoing relationship with the environment (Corey, 2012, p. 212).  Fritz Perls
Key founders/Key figures:  Frederick S. "Fritz" Perls, MD, PhD (1893-1970), was the main originator & developer of Gestalt Therapy (Corey, 2012, p.211). Fritz Perls, later established a institute for Gestalt Therapy in New York with help from several of his colleagues. Laura Posner Perls, PhD (1905-1990),  was also a key person in the Gestalt Therapy and  she taught every Gestalt therapist needs to develop his or her therapeutic style (Corey, 2012, p. 212). The key figures: Miriam & Erving Polster. Erving Polster
Laura Posner Perls

Key Concepts: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.236) "Gestalt therapy is an experiential approach that stresses present awareness and the quality of contact between the individual and the environment." According to a recent  article (Corey, 2012, p. 213) "Perls's style of doing therapy involved two personal agendas: moving the client from environmental support to self-support and reintegrating the disowned parts of one's personality." In other words the clients need to gain control over their life. Some of the key concepts in Gestalt therapy is emphasis is placed on what is being done, thought, and feelings within the moment of the here and now of the client versus what has occurred in the past or should have or could have been when the therapists prompts the client with various questions or interactions.  


Goals of Theory:  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 236) "The Gestalt therapist is to help clients identify the most pressing issues, needs, and interests and to design experiments that sharpen those figures or that explore resistances to contact and awareness." The therapist teaches the client that what is directly experienced or felt is more accurate than various explanations placed on pre-existing feelings or experiences. The initial goal is for clients to expand their awareness of what they are experiencing in the present moment (Corey, 2012, p. 212).  Honestly the main goal to be gained from the Gestalt therapy is for clients to gain a sense of awareness within their own self.


Techniques:  With Gestalt therapy therapists initiate various experiments toward the clients to generate thought from the clients perspective to gain a better insight on what the client is thinking or doing.  Therapy sessions may vary with various exercises or homework lessons for the client to help the therapist see how the client is processing information, often clients are encouraged to talk about dreams or other various thoughts to the therapists and even relive the actions of the dreams or thoughts to help gain a better understanding of their overall awareness. The "Empty Chair" technique is typically used with interpersonal problems (i.e. a client angry at someone else, feels too submissive, lonely, etc.) it is a kind of role playing, but in in this case, the client plays both roles. Employing two chairs, the counselor asks the client to change places as the conversation unfolds. "The actual acting and movement helps the client to get in touch with deeper sensimotor emotions" (Ivey & Ivey, 1999, p. 300). 

Suggested links:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUvXtSOZ84

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont, 

         CA:  Brooks/Cole.

Ivey, A. E. & Mary B. (1999). Intentional Interviewing and Counseling. Pacific Grove, CA:

          Brooks/Cole.

Whitlamm44. (2010, May). Gestalt Therapy - a tool for change. Retrieved May 26, 2012, from

           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUvXtSOZ84

Person-Centered Therapy

Person-Centered Therapy

Key Figures:  Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

Person-Centered therapy created by Carl Rogers, this form of humanistic therapy deals with the ways in which people perceive themselves consciously rather than having a therapist try to interpret unconscious thoughts or ideas. Basically this particular type of therapy is a type of talking therapy.  There are many different components and tools used in person-centered therapy including active listening, genuineness, paraphrasing, and more. But the real point is that the client already has the answers to the problems and the job of the therapist is to listen without making any judgments, without giving advice, and simply help the client feel accepted and understand their own feelings.

"The Person-Centered Therapy, his own unique approach to understanding personality and human relationships, found wide application in various domains such as psychotherapy and counseling (Client-Centered Therapy), education (student centered learning), organizations, and other group settings" according to a recent website (http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Carl_Rogers).

Key Concepts: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 178) "When therapists are able to experience and communicate their realness, support, caring, and nonjudgmental understanding, significant changes in the client are most likely to occur."  Also three key points were also created by Carl Rogers to help clients move forward in their therapy: realness, caring, and ability for clients to develop an understanding of empathy.

Goals of the theory: The aim of person-centered psychotherapy is to create a comfortable environment and to provide the client with unconditional positive regard. The theory is that this environment will aid the client in finding solutions to his or her problems. According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.10) "This approach was developed during the 1940s as a non directive reaction against psychoanalysis. Based on a subjective view of human experiencing, it places faith in and gives responsibility to the client in dealing with problems and concerns."  The major key element of person-centered therapy is the ability for clients to develop increased self-esteem. 

Techniques: A person-centered therapy session is often delivered in a one-to-one setting, but person-centered (group therapy) is also possible. In group therapy of this kind, the leader of the group is responsible for creating an atmosphere of trust. Another variation on the person-centered therapy approach includes certain styles of (play therapy), often employed with young children. Person-centered therapy places much of the responsibility for the treatment process on the client, with the therapist taking a non directive role to help the client gain self-esteem and growth.

Suggested links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2FPJlf9ck

References:

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

         CA:  Brooks/Cole. 

MeGotTheBeat1. (2011, October). Person Centered Approach. Retrieved May 19, 2012, from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2FPJlf9ck

Psychology Wiki. (No date found). Carl Rogers. Retrieved May 19, 2012, from

           http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Carl_Rogers

Existential Therapy

Existential Therapy

Important Key Figures in Existential Therapy:

          

Viktor Frankl (1905-1997)
Frankl was one of the key figures in existential therapy.
Rollo May (1909-1994)
According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 138) "He believed psychotherapy should be aimed at helping people discover the meaning of their lives and should be concerned with the problems of being rather than with problem solving." Irvin Yalom (1931 -) Irvin Yalom practices existential psychology in a way that pulls from four different areas of human conditioning.  The areas are isolation, meaninglessness, mortality, and freedom. He believes that a different therapy must be designed for each client because each has a unique story (Corey, 2012, p.138-139). Key Concepts: According to (Corey, 2012, p.145) "The crucial significance of the existential movement is that it reacts against the tendency to identify therapy with a set of techniques. Instead, it bases therapeutic practice on an understanding of what it means to be human." . What exactly is existential therapy? (2011-09-14) Existential therapy is a way of thinking, or an attitude about psychotherapy.  This type of therapy is the basis for clients to begin new chapters in their lives.  The clients must be opening to whatever issues that occurred in the past and move on to a more rewarding path accepting full responsibility of a better life to work toward, in other words being open and willing to change their life for the better. Existential therapy was introduced by Victor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom. Existentialism is an area of philosophy concerned with the true meaning of human existence. It looks at issues such as love, death and the meaning of life - and how one deals with the sense of value and meanings in their own life. In an existentialist approach to therapy, there are basic dimensions of the human condition. These are the capacity for self-awareness, the tension between freedom and responsibility, the creation of an identity and the establishment of meaningful relationships, the search for meaning, the acceptance of anxiety as a condition of living and the awareness of death and non-being. Existential therapy tries to encourage clients to reflect on life, recognize their range of alternatives and decide among them.  According to a recent article from (Corey, 2012, p.140) "The existential therapy movement was not founded by any particular person or group; many streams of thought contributed to it." However; Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom were a few figures that stood out as key figures in contemporary existential therapy. Goals of the theory: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.154) "Existential therapy is best considered as an invitation to clients to recognize the ways in which they are not living fully authentic lives and to make choices that will lead to their becoming what they are capable of being."      Techniques of Existential Therapy: The therapies central tasks are to invite the client to recognize how they have allowed others to decide for them, and to encourage clients to take steps towards autonomy (independence). According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 10) "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 responsibilty to shape one's life, and self-determination."

Selected link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhqj878k4Q

References:

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

         Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Rock, Justin. (2011, May). What is Existential Therapy? Retrieved May 19, 2012, from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhqj878k4Q

Psychoanalytic & Adlerian Therapy

Psychoanalytic Therapy

Founder of Psychoanalysis:      Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was a physiologist, medical doctor, psychologist and influential thinker of the early twentieth century. According to (Kalat, 2008, p. 12) "Psychoanalysts are therapy providers who rely heavily on the theories and methods pioneered by the early 20th-century Viennese physician Sigmund Freud and later modified by others." Freud’s account of the sexual genesis and nature of neuroses led him naturally to develop a clinical treatment for treating such disorders. This has become so influential today that when people speak of psychoanalysis they frequently refer exclusively to the clinical treatment; however, the term properly designates both the clinical treatment and the theory which underlies it. He invented the treatment of mental illness and neurosis by means of psychoanalysis. Freud concluded that human psyche could be divided up into three key component parts Id, Ego, and Super-Ego.
Goals of Therapy:     Freud established a type of therapy method for his patients to open up and reveal the unconscious thoughts and feelings that may affect conscious behavior and may result in neuroses.
Techniques:               This type of therapy became known as "talk therapy" the client/patient would lie down on a couch facing away from the therapist and begin to open up and to the therapist speaking of the issues that are in concern.  According to a recent article (Corey, 2009, p.63) "Freud devoted most of life to formulating and extending his theory of psychoanalysis."

Key Concepts:           Sigmund Freud felt that Psychoanalysis helps to promote unconscious factors that one may not perceive that they have to help stimulate a motivating behavior.

• ID
• Ego
• Super-Ego

Birth to age six is the key years that affect the main elements in psychoanalysis.


Suggested Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RTDAPs2aec

Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis 

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

       Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Kalat, J. K. (2008). Introduction to Psychology (8th edition). Belmont, CA:    

        Thomson/Wadsworth.

rmdie926. (2009, November). Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis. Retrieved May 12, 2012,

         from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RTDAPs2aec

Adlerian  Therapy

Adlerian therapy focuses on the feelings of self that arise from interactions and conflicts. This sense of self can also be called ones ego (as thought to have originally came from Sigmund Freud). The ego is the central core of personality; it is what makes someone an individual. Adlerian therapy is a therapy of teaching, informing and encouraging the client, in order to help the client fix basic mistakes in their personal logic, and the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative one. Alfred Adler original idea of individual psychology was based on the unique motivations of individuals and the importance of each individuals perceived niche in society.

Founder:  Alfred Adler (1870-1937) According to (Corey, 2009, p. 102) "Along with Freud and Juang, Alfred Adler was a major contributor to the initial development of the psychodynamic approach to therapy."

Goals of Therapy:  The basic goal of the Adlerian approach is to help clients identify and change their mistaken beliefs about, self, others, and life and thus to participate more fully in a social world" (Corey, 2009, p. 127).

Key Concepts:     The Adlerian Therapy approach is a very good therapy technique that has been known to help teachers, students, parents, couples and group therapy throughout the United States and beyond.

Techniques:          Basically with the Adlerian Therapy one create one's own responsibility, destiny, and find what is the real meaning to one's life.  The therapist's would help the client with a more purpose-driven life with real life goals.

Suggested Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I32ehCnAcVo&feature=player=embedded

Adlerian Therapy

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

       Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Classical Adlerian Brief Therapy - Demonstrated by Henry T. Stein, PhD.(2011, July). Classical 

        Adlerian Training Analyst. Retrieved May 12, 2012, 

        from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I32ehCnAcVo&feature=player=embedded

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