Can a Humanistic Model of Counselling Be Integrated with a Cognitive (or Cognitive – Behavioural) One? Discuss with Reference to Rogers and Either Beck or Egan.
Can a humanistic model of counselling be integrated with a cognitive (or cognitive – behavioural) one? Discuss with reference to Rogers and either Beck or Egan.
In the first part of this essay I will summarise the main features of humanistic counselling and the cognitive approach. Rogers used a humanistic person centred approach to therapy and I will look at his view of people, their potential, what goes wrong and what can help them to change. Egan was a cognitive therapist and I will address the above points in relation to his “Skilled Helper” model. Similarities and key differences in theory, practise and value base between the two approaches will then be discussed.
In the second part of the essay, I will use my own previous experience as a client to show how an experienced counsellor can integrate aspects of these two models effectively. I will then look at potential difficulties in making the humanistic and cognitive approach to therapy fit together successfully. I will give a critical analysis of these models, with particular reference to my own therapy and general diversity of needs within the client group. The concluding paragraph will contain an abridgement of the main points covered within the essay.
Humanistic therapy emphasises the therapeutic relationship advocated by Rogers with the three core conditions of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard. Without these conditions present Rogers asserts that the counselling will be ineffective. Humanistic therapy is non- directive and optimistic. Rogers, (2008 p.137) supports this viewpoint “The person - centred approach, depends on the actualising tendency present in every living organism, the tendency to grow, to develop, to realise its full potential”. A humanistic therapist s uses active listening skills including clarifying, paraphrasing, reflecting and summarising. The therapist being non-judgemental is essential to the success of person centred
In the first part of this essay I will summarise the main features of humanistic counselling and the cognitive approach. Rogers used a humanistic person centred approach to therapy and I will look at his view of people, their potential, what goes wrong and what can help them to change. Egan was a cognitive therapist and I will address the above points in relation to his “Skilled Helper” model. Similarities and key differences in theory, practise and value base between the two approaches will then be discussed.
In the second part of the essay, I will use my own previous experience as a client to show how an experienced counsellor can integrate aspects of these two models effectively. I will then look at potential difficulties in making the humanistic and cognitive approach to therapy fit together successfully. I will give a critical analysis of these models, with particular reference to my own therapy and general diversity of needs within the client group. The concluding paragraph will contain an abridgement of the main points covered within the essay.
Humanistic therapy emphasises the therapeutic relationship advocated by Rogers with the three core conditions of empathy, congruence and unconditional positive regard. Without these conditions present Rogers asserts that the counselling will be ineffective. Humanistic therapy is non- directive and optimistic. Rogers, (2008 p.137) supports this viewpoint “The person - centred approach, depends on the actualising tendency present in every living organism, the tendency to grow, to develop, to realise its full potential”. A humanistic therapist s uses active listening skills including clarifying, paraphrasing, reflecting and summarising. The therapist being non-judgemental is essential to the success of person centred
References: Egan, G. ed. (1990) The Skilled Helper. Loyola University of Chicago, Brooks/Cole. Publishing company Pacific Grove California. Embleton, L. et al. (2004) The Person Centred Approach. A contemporary introduction. U.K. Palgrave Macmillan. Mc Leod, J. ed. (2008) Behavioural methods in counselling. IN: Mc Leod, J. An introduction to Counselling. Finland. W. S. Bookwell. Patterson, C.H. Multicultural Counselling: From diversity to Universality. Available at. [Accessed 10 December 2010]. Rogers, C. ed. (2008). The therapeutic relationship. IN Kirshenbaum, H. Land Henderson, V. The Carl Rogers Reader. Great Britain. Constable. Rogers, C. ed. (2008). Theory and research. IN: Kirsenbaum,H. Land Henderson, V. The Carl Rogers Reader. Great Britain.