Nondirective Behavioral Therapy
What I found most interesting in studying the different theories is how much the different theories seem to imitate the therapists who founded them. It was also fascinating to watch the development of psychological theories over time. Overall, the theoretical orientation I found most convincing is cognitive-behavioral therapy, although I appreciate the warmth of the therapeutic alliance in nondirective approaches.
Having an amateur interest in philosophy, I found the similarities between the therapies personalities and theories fascinating. Studying human motivation, development, and behavior is not a straightforward as medicine or physics; it is more directly influenced by the worldview of the researcher and counselor. This is an important
point to keep in mind when choosing my own theoretical orientation (Murdock, 2017). In addition to their own worldview, each therapist also seemed to build upon the counselors that came them, whether building directly upon such as neoanalytic theories or as a reaction against, such as behavioral therapy. Empirically, the evidence suggests that no theoretical orientation is relatively superior to all others (Murdock, 2017).
Having been formed by therapists with years of experience working with clients and being back my empirical research, each therapeutic view has an important piece of truth to offer. However, out of all the different theories, I found cognitive behavioral therapy to be the most convincing. Personally, I tend to be more direct, cognitive, and like to focus on psychoeducation. I also appreciate that there is theoretical room for a Christian view of human development, although I believe Christians can belong to almost any theoretical orientation (Jones & Butman, 2011). However, I found the approach to the therapeutic alliance in more non-directive theories, such as person-centered and reality therapy, more appealing. I think it makes the most sense to integrate the different strengths of these theories in order to maximize therapeutic effect. Professionally, the highest goal of the Licensed Professional Counselor is to minimize harm and maximize beneficence towards the client, and I personally believe this is the best approach, although I still have much to learn (ACA, 2014).
Overall, at the end of this course, I am more excited to continue my degree program as studying the vast number of perspectives on people-helping helped me continue to understand how much more there is to learn.
Having an amateur interest in philosophy, I found the similarities between the therapies personalities and theories fascinating. Studying human motivation, development, and behavior is not a straightforward as medicine or physics; it is more directly influenced by the worldview of the researcher and counselor. This is an important
point to keep in mind when choosing my own theoretical orientation (Murdock, 2017). In addition to their own worldview, each therapist also seemed to build upon the counselors that came them, whether building directly upon such as neoanalytic theories or as a reaction against, such as behavioral therapy. Empirically, the evidence suggests that no theoretical orientation is relatively superior to all others (Murdock, 2017).
Having been formed by therapists with years of experience working with clients and being back my empirical research, each therapeutic view has an important piece of truth to offer. However, out of all the different theories, I found cognitive behavioral therapy to be the most convincing. Personally, I tend to be more direct, cognitive, and like to focus on psychoeducation. I also appreciate that there is theoretical room for a Christian view of human development, although I believe Christians can belong to almost any theoretical orientation (Jones & Butman, 2011). However, I found the approach to the therapeutic alliance in more non-directive theories, such as person-centered and reality therapy, more appealing. I think it makes the most sense to integrate the different strengths of these theories in order to maximize therapeutic effect. Professionally, the highest goal of the Licensed Professional Counselor is to minimize harm and maximize beneficence towards the client, and I personally believe this is the best approach, although I still have much to learn (ACA, 2014).
Overall, at the end of this course, I am more excited to continue my degree program as studying the vast number of perspectives on people-helping helped me continue to understand how much more there is to learn.