Discuss Humanistic/Existential Theories

 

Introduction

 

Consider your thoughts about the following statements:

 

·         People are generally good, trustworthy, productive, and able to make positive changes.

 

·         The responsibility for change and growth lies with the client.

 

·         We should focus on the “here and now,” not so much on the “then and there.”

 

These statements reflect humanistic and existential theories developed by theorists such as Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Victor Frankl, and Fritz Perlz. This week, you explore the key components of humanistic and existential theories. You are also introduced to Deidre, a client depicted in media throughout several weeks of this course. Each week that Deidre’s case is presented, you will use theories to propose effective interventions that could help her to reach her goals.

 

 

Students will: Apply humanistic/existential interventions

 

·         Evaluate humanistic/existential theories

 

 

 

·         Apply concepts related to humanistic/existential theories

 

Please proceed to the Resources.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 2 Discussion

 

 

 

Applying Humanistic and Existential Theories

 

A common element of this week’s theories is the focus on client emotion. The central tenet of these theories is that clients are at the center of the counseling process. When counselors use these approaches, they ask clients to not only assess their emotions, but also how they perceive these emotions to influence their lives.

 

During this process, counselors who often use humanistic and existential approaches partner alongside the client as a nonjudgmental ally, prompting the clients to reconnect with themselves and increase their own self-awareness. Theorists in these paradigms believe that it is not the interpretation of the counselor that helps clients, but rather the interpretation of the clients themselves. In fact, prominent humanistic and existential theorists cast aside the dominant, all-knowing presence of the counselor illustrated by some behavioral and psychoanalytic approaches.

 

In this Discussion, you consider how each of this week’s theories, existential, person-centered, and Gestalt, provides a different counseling approach. You also reflect upon how theoretical approaches influence the interventions that you might employ with your case study client, Deidre. Before watching the Deidre media, review this week’s Learning Resources to review how the Capuzzi and Gross text used each theoretical approach with the client in “The Case of Maria.”

 

Posting Directions: In the subject line of your post, use the following title format: “Title of Discussion: The theory you selected for this Discussion.” Your initial post must be at least 200 words in length.

 

Post by Day 3 a brief description of the humanistic or existential theory you selected. Then, based on this theoretical approach, describe two interventions you could employ with Deidre and explain why. Finally, explain how each of these interventions would help Deidre move toward her goals.

 

DUE BY 12/9/15 @ 5PM Eastern Standard Time