Counseling Theories Research Paper Essay Example
Research Paper
Robert Leo Parr Jr.
Salem State University: PSY 731 Counseling Theory and Practice I
Professor Melissa Kaplowitch
April 10, 2012
Abstract
This paper presents the personal viewpoints of the author concerning human behavior, affect, and thought. It outlines his understanding of the developmental and change processes of human growth. Therapy and roles and relationships are considered along with treatment. This paper’s topics are numerous as very different questions are addressed and my answers will be about my views as they relate mainly to theory I hope to apply in therapy. It is presented in question and answer form with an introduction and summary.
Research Paper
Behavior, affect, and thought are derived from a diverse set of factors that are sometimes inter-related. One’s views on these three types of human processes has an effect on which theoretical orientation a counselor is most aligned with and therefore chooses as a baseline for counseling practice. This choice is important in that it helps the counselor to organize thoughts and modes of counseling session interactions, preferred techniques, and treatment options in a consistent manner. Such a choice does not limit the counselor in any way to any one theoretical practice. A counselor must be cognizant of other treatment modalities and ready to apply those modalities to specific counseling situations and clients based on a variety of factors such as cultural background of the client, family structure, and personality traits of the client. Consideration of environment, diagnoses, and cognitive abilities of the client among other issues are also important.
Behavior consists of conscious and unconscious observable acts performed by an individual in response to his or her environment. Thoughts are cognitive processes involving self-talk, rationalizations, imagination/creativity, calculations, schemes, and judgments to name a few. Affect is how we present ourselves to ourselves
Robert Leo Parr Jr.
Salem State University: PSY 731 Counseling Theory and Practice I
Professor Melissa Kaplowitch
April 10, 2012
Abstract
This paper presents the personal viewpoints of the author concerning human behavior, affect, and thought. It outlines his understanding of the developmental and change processes of human growth. Therapy and roles and relationships are considered along with treatment. This paper’s topics are numerous as very different questions are addressed and my answers will be about my views as they relate mainly to theory I hope to apply in therapy. It is presented in question and answer form with an introduction and summary.
Research Paper
Behavior, affect, and thought are derived from a diverse set of factors that are sometimes inter-related. One’s views on these three types of human processes has an effect on which theoretical orientation a counselor is most aligned with and therefore chooses as a baseline for counseling practice. This choice is important in that it helps the counselor to organize thoughts and modes of counseling session interactions, preferred techniques, and treatment options in a consistent manner. Such a choice does not limit the counselor in any way to any one theoretical practice. A counselor must be cognizant of other treatment modalities and ready to apply those modalities to specific counseling situations and clients based on a variety of factors such as cultural background of the client, family structure, and personality traits of the client. Consideration of environment, diagnoses, and cognitive abilities of the client among other issues are also important.
Behavior consists of conscious and unconscious observable acts performed by an individual in response to his or her environment. Thoughts are cognitive processes involving self-talk, rationalizations, imagination/creativity, calculations, schemes, and judgments to name a few. Affect is how we present ourselves to ourselves