Counseling Therapies
Professional counselors often employ a variety of therapy approaches to administer treatment to the affected. Among the therapy, theories are existential therapy, behavioral therapy, and feminist therapy. The three methods are well-founded on the theories based on human function and related changes. Firstly, existential therapy is a form of psychotherapy that is unique in exploring the challenges and difficulties based on a philosophical perspective. It is a therapy that focuses on the overall human condition. Existential therapy thus illustrates human capacities and the required responsibilities towards achieving success (Wolfe, 2016). The approach has brought both advantages and disadvantages to the affected people and the world at large.
One of the most significant advantages of existential therapy is the enormous magnitude of making meaning of life. Counseling offered by the existential therapists creates answers to existential questions that many people struggle to understand in life. Issues such as why one exists, reasons for suffering, and what is the point of one’s life are handled and reasonable solutions established. Focusing on such questions empowers and individual to make appealing choices and be responsible for their actions. Another benefit of the therapy is the impact of a person-centered relationship (Wolfe, 2016). Clients are treated unconditionally by the counselor with positive regard. An individual ability to make their own choices is acknowledged and supported. Humanistic nature is embraced by emphasizing the importance of personal dignity.
On the other hand, existential therapy brings the difficulty of intellectualization. Many criticize the treatment of being overly intellectual. Much of thinking administered to avoid feelings may not help an emotionally affected client. Clients seeking counseling may experience challenges of engaging in deep self-examination and self-reflection hence may fail to understand the existential process of the therapy. Also, existential therapy leads to religious conflict. Religious leaders argue that existential counseling undermines religious faith since, in some way, it portrays atheistic characteristics. Asking individuals to reflect on the aspects of life seems to create a conflict since some people believe that it is the only religion that should answer existential questions.
Since existential therapy deals with individual restricted existence, relative goals have been established. The main objective of the treatment is to offer a fundamental understanding of the subjective world. Counselors tirelessly work to provide new options to the clients as a way of creating more awareness of themselves (Wolfe, 2016). It is a therapy which aims at helping people realize their feeling and actions. Besides, existential therapy gives more information needed to understand the nature of the problems encountered. Creating a genuine relationship and the individual has also been a priority that helps counter the feelings of anxiety. Strengthening individual worthiness creates a productive relationship between the client and the world around them.
A productive therapeutic relationship between the counselor and the client in existential therapy has been acknowledged. A good relationship has been established since the therapist guiding the client through the process of self-discovery is a close fellow human who has also gone through the same fear and anxiety. An existential therapist has the best intentions, and therefore he or she is an active participant in therapy sessions. Therapists authentically engage with clients to fast and effective healing. Clients, thus, conveniently connect with a professional therapist on personal levels. Consequently, close counselor-client relationship contributes to productive therapy sessions.
The nature and quality of therapist and client relationships and the unique personality of each client are significant techniques. The two approaches are vital to both the client and the counselor. Ideas created by therapist impact not only the clients but also other individuals. A quality relationship determines the reliability of the existential process. Often good relationship ensures a smooth healing process. Similarly, the capacity at which a client views problems of life indicates how well they can accommodate life changes (Wolfe, 2016). The techniques shape a better future for the client. Without a doubt, existential therapy adequately solves to multi-cultural issues. Problems handled in therapy sessions are issues encountered in the communities. The approach enhances cultural values. Individuals are taught how to face hard truth boldly. Being honest and patiently helps overcome existential challenges and increase the chances of making responsible choices.
Secondly, behavioral therapy is often defined as a change to what one usually does with guidance from a therapist. Scientifically proved techniques are used in step-by-step procedures for an individual to modify or change their behaviors. Often, behavioral therapy is used to influence self-destructive behaviors that are unhealthy (Dobson & Dobson, 2018). The standard type of approach mostly used is cognitive-behavioral therapy. Research indicates that several benefits and disadvantages have been established.
The significant advantage of behavioral therapy is its effectiveness in treating mental health issues such as depression. Behavioral therapy plays the same role as medicine in administering treatment. It is also significant in areas where medicine would not work. Secondly, behavioral therapy takes a relatively short period to complete the entire process. Therapy sessions conducted are relaxed and take less time. Another benefit that the essential practice strategies learned can be used in the day to day life even after completion of treatment. Conversely, the most considerable disadvantage is that one has to be committed to the process for one to benefit. A therapist may advise and help the client but cannot make the client’s problems decline. Co-operation from the client is highly needed. Behavioral therapy is not suitable for clients exhibiting complex mental health issues. A client with a challenge in learning difficulties may not understand the structured therapy sessions.
Behavioral therapy approach goals are relatively satisfying to mental health patients and the world at large. The primary objective is adequate focus on increasing engagement of an individual in positive social activities. Therapists aim at helping an individual or a patient understand what impacts would change their behaviors have on their feelings (Dobson & Dobson, 2018). The well-structured approach uses relevant measures to monitor what an individual does that carefully might negatively influence their behaviors. It is the responsibility of the therapy to increase chances for individuals to encounter positive life experiences continually. Behavioral treatment is quite different from other counseling approaches. The relationship between the counselor and the patient does not dictate the approach’s effectiveness. The healing process mainly depends on the behavior and action of the client to shift to appealing activities. However, the behavioral therapist maintains a productive relationship with the clients.
The essential techniques in the behavioral therapy counseling method are self-monitoring and behavior modification. Self-monitoring is the first step in administering treatment. In this stage, therapists request clients to make a detailed report of their daily activities. It is a technique that helps individuals focus on appropriate exercises and abandon unhealthy actions. The behavior modification technique gives a therapist an easy time in motivating their clients by offering rewards to those who engage in positive behavior(Dobson & Dobson, 2018). The techniques are essential since they create a new energetic feeling that makes clients socially active. Embracing the techniques helps reduce negative cycles, such as feeling bad or being scared. In multi-cultural issues, behavioral therapy efficiently manages problems. The approach addresses issues encountered; thus, they would have no negative impact on society. Skills taught by the method enables individuals to control any cultural bias.
Lastly, feminist therapy is an interactive approach focused on gender and challenges faced by women in the world. The method initiated a strong concept that psychological discrimination and oppression of women may result in mental health issues (Brown, 2018). Feminist therapy, therefore, brings several benefits to women in society. Firstly, feminist therapy brings both individual and social change. Gender issues affecting women, such as cultural bias and stereotypes, have been addressed and solved. The approach empowers women and encourages them to raise their voices against oppression by the majority in society. Secondly, the strategy identifies the necessary strengths and skills for clients to recognize and value their power. Lastly, feminist therapy helps the entire society understand their problems by making client’s problems a social concern.
Although the approach brings significant advantages in society, a few disadvantages are encountered. Often, feminist therapy is viewed as a method that describes the maleness concept in a manner that is offensive. The approach violates the perception of uniform gender roles and functions. Also, the approach does not recognize the existing scientific differences between men and women. Subsequently, the approach technique may cross-professional borders, thus influencing the clients to impose inconsiderate cultural values. Lastly, the evaluation of social factors may create an environment where clients blame society over their mental health problems.
Feminist therapy has a unique way of offering counseling services to the society. Its goals are well structured for the benefit of the clients. The main objective of the approach is to develop equal caring relationships and support them (Brown, 2018). Therapists help clients obtain the appropriate tools towards acknowledging their potential as valuable individuals. Secondly, the approach focus on the elimination of vulnerability factors that arise from gender roles. Encouraging clients to create their own identity in society is also a significant practice. The authentic connection between the counselor and the client creates a positive therapeutic relationship that describes the equality aspect. The view that both the counselor and the client have equal values in society helps clients understand social factors that affect them. Consequently, clients quickly build their strengths with the help of therapists for their benefit.
Self-disclosure and gender role analysis techniques are identified as the most important to the feminist therapy approach. The techniques help in administering the appropriate therapy to society. Self-disclosure is highly acknowledged by the therapist in their practices since they get an opportunity to share their experiences with the community. In the attempt, they spread the message of equality among all individuals. Clients thus understand that the issues they are facing are communal, and therefore empowerment will help embrace their identity (Brown, 2018). Interventions done on gender role analysis helps the approach explore gender role impacts on mental health issues. Feminist therapy, without a doubt, is the solution to cultural problems. Social activities and activism act as an empowerment tool in society.
References
Brown, L. S. (2018). Feminist therapy. American Psychological Association.
The author indicates that feminist therapy came into existence in late 1960 as an approach to protest of sexism factors affecting mental health. The increasing transformation of a therapist to feminist led to significant growth of the approach to a more sophisticated psychotherapy practice model. Feminist therapy has maintained dynamic power both in therapy sessions and in the societies. The deeper meaning of gender issues and social factors affecting clients are addressed by the approach. The author concludes that feminist therapy is a method that helps achieve solutions and strategies that bring social change.
Dobson, D., & Dobson, K. S. (2018). Evidence-based practice of cognitive-behavioral therapy. Guilford Publications.
In the book, the author explains the optimum goal of behavioral therapy in detail. It is a therapy that is founded on behaviorism principles, a phenomenon that believes people learn from the surrounding environment. Techniques applied by behavioral therapy are based on classical and operant conditioning theories. Most importantly, the approach is action-based, a factor that distinguishes it from other treatments. Individual behavior is the major problem, and therefore new created are created to eliminate the problem.
Wolfe, B. E. (2016). Existential-humanistic therapy and psychotherapy integration: A commentary.
The commentary article offers a detailed explanation of the feminist therapy approach. The method is mostly focused on social well-being. The article, therefore, illustrates the integration of mindful cultural practices that ensure minimal issues of mental health. The authors emphasize equality among individuals in society. Clients are also encouraged to uphold relevant cultural traditions and social factors. The approach is regarded as the best therapy that addresses cultural issues and humanistic values,