PCN 500 Grand Canyon Week 1 Discussion 2

Some might argue that a therapist’s theoretical orientation is irrelevant in the counseling process, and that only client outcomes matter. Others might argue that specific factors common across models of therapy-not specific theory or an approach endorsed by a counselor create a positive outcome. What do you think? Why?

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Therapist theoretical orientation in the counseling process

Introduction

Therapist theoretical orientation is an important factor in the counseling relationship. It can help you to understand what your counselor’s approach will be like, and it can also affect how well you feel understood by your therapist.

What is theoretical orientation?

Theoretical orientation is the perspective that guides a counselor’s practice. If you’re new to therapy, it’s important to know what your theoretical orientation is so that you can decide whether or not it’s right for you. Your theoretical orientation can have an impact on how well your counseling sessions go, but also on how much progress and growth occurs during those sessions.

Your counselor may have different theoretical orientations than others who work with clients in their office or at school; however, no matter what type of counseling style they follow (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy), most therapists will agree that there are several ways of approaching problems and issues which affect people’s lives:

How do counselors choose a theoretical orientation?

Counselors choose a theoretical orientation because they feel that it is most appropriate for the client they are working with. The counselor’s theoretical orientation may also be influenced by their personal beliefs or values, and these can change over time.

Counselors have different goals in mind when choosing a theoretical orientation. Some counselors want to help clients become more confident and self-assured so that they can move forward in life without fear of failure or criticism from others; others want their clients’ lives changed so much that there will be no more need for therapy at all!

How will a counselor’s orientation influence the counseling process?

A counselor’s theoretical orientation will influence the counseling process in many ways. Theoretical orientation influences the counselor’s approach to assessment, diagnosis, and treatment; it also influences their use of interventions and techniques.

For example: a counselor who believes that thoughts are personal experiences (e.g., “I’m feeling sad because I’m thinking about my sister”) may consider this as a personal problem (e.g., “I need help coping with my feelings about my sister”). On the other hand, if this belief was accepted by the therapist as an objective fact (e.g., “Thinking is simply referring to your brain’s activity), then they would say something like: “The way you’re behaving right now is not normal because it involves more than just your own mind—it involves other people as well!

How to find a counselor who is right for you

The first step to finding the right counselor for you is to ask yourself some questions. You should ask yourself:

• Do they have a thorough understanding of what I need?

• Do they have experience working with people like me?

• Are they willing to learn more about my specific needs if I want them too?

Therapist theoretical orientation is an important factor in the counseling relationship.

The theoretical orientation of a counselor is an important factor in the counseling relationship. Theoretical orientation refers to the way that a person thinks about how the world works and how people behave, as well as what can be done to change those things. A theoretical orientation influences what type of therapy approach the therapist uses with clients, which may differ from other therapists’ approaches or even from theories within existing therapies (such as cognitive behavioral therapy).

A therapist’s theoretical orientation usually reflects his/her professional training, experience working with people individually or in groups, exposure to various approaches and philosophies throughout his/her career path (e.g., group psychotherapy versus individual psychotherapy), personal beliefs regarding human nature/behavioral styles

Conclusion

It’s important to recognize the theoretical orientation you are drawn to. If you’re like most people, you want an approach that is in line with your own worldview and preferences. In other words, if someone approaches therapy from a different perspective than yours, then it will be harder for them to see things through your eyes. This isn’t a problem necessarily; however, it does mean that the relationship won’t necessarily feel intimate or effective as it could be otherwise.