Counseling and Psychotherapy Theory Week 7. Humanistic Approach
Contents 1 2 3 Major Concepts and Propositions 1 Overview 2 Person-centered Approach 3 Existentialist Approach 4 Gestalt Approach Change Mechanisms & Intervention Methods 1 Moving from the Problem State to the Changed State 2 Strategies and Techniques Theory s Current State and Prospect 1 Current State and Prospect 2 Implications
Ⅰ. Major Concepts and Propositions 1 Overview 1 2 Overview Main Assumptions
Overview Humanism is the third force of counseling Studies the very characteristics and functioning styles of humans. Presented humanistic assumptions for the purpose of counseling and psychotherapy Resisted against the perspective of viewing humans as objects or animals. Subtype approaches Existentialist approach Kierkegaard Nietzsche Sartre Buber Tillich Binswange Frankl Person-centered approach Rogers Gestalt approach Perls
Main Assumptions Uniqueness of human consciousness Humans have the abilities for awareness and reflection. Metacognition is possible. Can look into one s inner experiences or reality
Main Assumptions Tendency for self-actualization and growth
Main Assumptions Tendency for self-actualization and growth Anti-homeostatic Anti-determinism Beyond-biology Instead of staying put or maintaining stability, we tend to struggle toward growth and development (Maslow, 1970). Choices are made from an awareness about the future and the present instead of the past. Self transformation is not a biological concept; it is based on intent
Main Assumptions Self-determination ability Choices and decisions are seen as the core of human functioning -Exploring the facilitating methods or interfering factors to making free choices or decisions is the main topic. -Humans proactively build and construct our future. - To overcome biological fears (Anti-homeostatic, Anti-determinism, Beyondbiology) - To make decisions toward self-actualization or growth based on their current reality. (Awareness/Self-realization) - To pursue meaning or creation of meaning (Construct stories) - "What does not destroy me, makes me stronger. -Nietzsche
Ⅰ. Major Concepts and Propositions 2 Person-centered Approach 1 2 Overview Major Concepts
Overview Person-centeredness Sincere respect for every person (research participant, client) Each person's subjective experience important. Empathy: catching and sharing subjective experiences of others - To transcend dichotomous thinking about empathy (i.e. right vs. wrong empathy) capture (experience )+ tune = empathy - Client s subjective reality and objective reality are both respected - The two realities meet, and adjustments are made - Tuning is a continuous process which does not have a final conclusion.
Major Concepts Organismic Wisdom The ability to trust one's reactions to the environment
Major Concepts Needs Positive regard Considered valuable/worthwhile Care and love Emotional, physical contact
Major Concepts Conditions of worth External conditions people try to meet in order to meet the need for love and respect, and be accepted as a valuable person Example: a client who tries to meet the expectations of others
Major Concepts Fully functioning person Conditions Detect inner needs through one s experience Positively trust, accept, respect one s inner state Pursue it properly moment by moment
Major Concepts Unconditional positive regard (respect) Respect and care for the client that is not contaminated by evaluations about client's emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.
Major Concepts Accurate empathic understanding Sharing client s subjective world sensitively catch and reflect client's experiences and emotions in moment-to-moment interaction Feeling client s emotions as if they are one s own, without getting immersed in client s emotions a continuous process of tuning Cognitive imagination expressed empathy emotional resonance check and adjust
Major Concepts Congruence/genuineness A pure, integrated, and honest position Internal experience is congruent with external expression can feel every emotion and experience, without shutting any of them off, in the relationship with clients, and can open them up to clients Enables genuine communication Accept and express all of one s negative emotions consider them as one s own Accept and listen to all of client s negative experiences consider them as criticism must must not
Ⅰ. Major Concepts and Propositions 3 Existentialist Approach 1 2 Overview Major Concepts
Overview A counseling approach based on existentialist philosophy Counselor attitude/position is more important than techniques Accepting main existentialist propositions is important
Major Concepts Existential propositions Existence come before essence. Essence Object, human norms, usage, moral law, etc. Existence a being that exists before essence (norms, usage, moral laws) becomes liberated from many norms, labels, and concepts.
Major Concepts Existential propositions [Ex] Apple and Distorted apple VS.
Major Concepts Existential propositions Every human dies. Humans have many limitations. The time left become really important. Here-now is important Past Present Future Death
Major Concepts Existential propositions Choice is essential. Because we are free, we have no choice but to make choices. Choosing entails giving up. Making choices triggers anxiety. So we sometimes try to avoid it. However, we cannot avoid it due to existentialist conditions. Present Present(choice) Future Death
Major Concepts Existential propositions Life does not have (given) meaning. So meaning must be created. Deciding what to fill our lives with is a process of creating life's meaning. Present Present(choice) Future Death
Major Concepts Existential propositions Humans are originally alone. We cannot be dependent on anyone. If we have moments when we are not alone, it s a moment that should not be taken for granted; it s a beautiful and grateful moment.
Major Concepts Existential propositions Humans are originally alone. Story of Life s witness
Major Concepts Existential propositions Awareness & acceptance of the above propositions are important We will then be able to bear the existential anxiety As a result, we will be free, responsible for our choices, and be internally abundant. Fritz Perls I do my thing and you do your thing. I do my thing and you do your thing. You are you, and I am I, and if by chance we find each other, it s beautiful. If not, it can t be helped.
Ⅰ. Major Concepts and Propositions 4 Gestalt Approach 1 2 Overview Major Concepts
Overview Assumptions "People seek to mature." We discover our own ways in day-to-day lives We accept personal responsibilities Focused on client s reality perception phenomenological Based on the "here and now". existential
Overview Goal to help clients to accurately perceive their needs, experiences, decisions, and behaviors.
Major Concepts Gestalt not a sum of parts; a meaningful whole.
Major Concepts Figure and ground Figure: the part of the image which our attention goes first Ground: the surrounding area where our attention does not quite reach and moves to the back.
Major Concepts Contact Coming to face to face with internal and external experiences. It is important for us to contact while maintaining separation. Contact with the existence Contact with the external world Contact with self
Major Concepts 6 stages Gestalt psychotherapy 4. Mobilization of energy 3. Awareness 2. Sensation 1. Withdrawal (ground) 5. Action 6. Contact 3. Awareness 2. Sensation 1. Withdrawal (ground)
Major Concepts Awareness Aware of existential existence Aware of external stimuli and experience Aware of internal stimuli and experience It's not about remembering. It's knowing that it is happening now. Types: Sensation & action / emotion / need / value & evaluation
Major Concepts Interruption of contact and awareness Inner state is categorized by the degree of contact (gestalt) Phony level Responds to others without sincerity in a patterned way [Ex] conventional greetings Phobic level Avoids psychological pain Impasse level Implosive level Explosive level A point of no change or movement; feeling trapped [Ex] Marriage without love In contact with internal experience In contact with external experience as well [Ex] No outward show
Major Concepts Interruption of contact and awareness Contact boundaries (gestalt) Types of boundaries that define me body-boundaries value-boundaries familiarity-boundaries expressive-boundaries defined by our bodies and skin confronted with a value system or other person resistant to change not challenging because something is repeated frequently experienced internally but not expressed externally
Major Concepts Interruption of contact and awareness Unfinished business an event or an emotion of the past that is affecting you currently even when you are not aware of it now. Interferes with contact and awareness in the present
ⅠI. Change Mechanisms & Intervention Methods 1 Moving from the Problem State to the Changed State 1 2 Problem State vs. Changed State Change Facilitating Factor
Problem State vs. Changed State Problem state : unawareness Not aware of freedom, responsibility, right to choose - Everyone says that - Language that denies strength - You must be like that, too. - Asking to hide in a safe state Not aware of internal experiences - Not aware of anxiety, fear, emotions, need, physical sensations Not aware of the boundary between the environment and self - Deny boundaries - Going over boundaries - Allowing violation of boundaries Changed state : awareness Aware of freedom, responsibility, and right to choose Aware of internal experiences Aware of the boundaries
Change Facilitating Factor Facilitating awareness Everything that can facilitate existential awareness Explaining about freedom/responsibility, experiencing, contemplating, confronting reality Everything that can facilitate awareness of internal experience Becoming aware of fear, empathizing, reflecting, confronting, experiencing, examining, staying Staying here-now Becoming aware of unfinished business and dealing with it Everything that can facilitate awareness of external environment
Change Facilitating Factor Providing a relationship that can be utilized by the client Presence Congruence, genuineness Unconditional positive regard Accurate empathy
Change Facilitating Factor Eliminating barriers to awareness Confronting anxiety Resolving unfinished business Going to an unknown domain past the boundaries (Example : OBQ: Out-of-Box Question)
ⅠI. Change Mechanisms & Intervention Methods 2 Strategies and Techniques 1 2 3 Person-centered Approach Existentialist Approach Gestalt Approach
Person-centered Approach Acceptance, empathy, respect, genuineness When I was a novice counselor I asked myself. Carl Rogers How can I treat, heal, and change a person? But as I gained more and more experience, I realized that I cannot treat or heal someone. I was then asking myself, How can I provide the relationship or environment that this person can utilize for his own growth?
Existentialist Approach Existential propositions are Explained Shown through counselor s attitude Shown through counselor s life
Gestalt Approach Increase awareness Recognizing emotions - Ex) staying with emotions Awareness through self-talk - Ex) Recognizing things said habitually Awareness through reenactment - Ex) Actually trying new behaviors, role playing
Gestalt Approach Increase awareness Awareness through dreams - Ex) dream analysis Awareness outside of counseling room - Ex) behaviors, language habits in real life Awareness through avoidance - Ex) exploring what is being avoided
ⅠII. Theory s Current State and Prospect 1 1 2 Current State and Prospect Current State and Prospect Implications
Current State and Prospect the basis for almost every counseling approaches Questions asked to counselors - Is it effective to just use the person-centered approach? No - Do you utilize the person-centered approach? Yes
Current State and Prospect Identifying the common factor (Wampold) Common factors Counselor s attitude, values, interests etc. Specific factors Special factors that are specific to each approach Identified highly effective common factors in counseling
Current State and Prospect Developed into experientialism and emotion-focused approaches Combined with imagery & exposure therapy of behavioral approach Combined with the mindfulness approach
Implications Importance of awareness Awareness is stressed in most theories Awareness of internal experiences Experiential Emotion-focused Becoming aware of what is physically and emotionally experienced Awareness of inner anxiety/fear experiences Psychoanalysis Awareness of anxiety Attachment theory Containing, holding uncomfortable emotions Behaviorism Cognitive Confronting anxiety, exposure therapy, systematic desensitization What-if technique
Implications Importance of existential choices and decisions Most theories stress choices and decisions. Most directly mentions choice, decision, freedom, responsibility Importance of meaning and stories Creating meaning Finding and giving meaning to one s experience
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