Personal Theoretical Orientation Assignment
Jones and Butman (1991), along with Corey (2013), comment that theoretical orientations and allegiances tend to change with time and experience. Students are introduced to popular psychotherapies, and eventually gain experience working with them. During their training they interact with experienced instructors who offer their insights and preferences. Once in practice, the therapist learns what works for them and their clients, and what does not. To be sure, personality, training location, instructors, and worldview (or Weltanschauung, Ger.) all affect the counselor 's eventual orientation(s). Considerable research supports this reality (Buckman, 2006; Ciorbea and Nedelcea, 2012; Boettcher, Hoffman, & Wu, 2016; Christopher, 2008; Hummel, 2009). Practitioners eventually confront the limitations of their preferred orientation(s), and wonder why, make adjustments, and move ahead. These minor crises are the building blocks of life lived, an essential component of professional and personal growth. Dr. Corey (2013) notes that over 95% of psychotherapists consider themselves “integrationists”. Jones and Butman (1991) caution, however, that many wind up combining “mutually contradictory concepts and techniques, and approaching the client in a manner that lacks logical coherence” (p. 383). Patterson (as cited in Jones & Butman, 1991) calls this “atheoretical syncretism” (p. 383). For the overwhelmed student, Corey (2013) reminds us that it is the therapeutic alliance that produces positive results, that "techniques have limited importance in the therapeutic process" (Corey, 2013, p. 19). Elkins adds, it “is not theories and techniques that heal the suffering client but the human dimension of therapy and the ‘meetings’ that occur between the therapist and the client as they work together” (as cited in Corey, 2013, p. 19). With Corey’s encouragement in mind, we must still take some informed steps forward. As we have considered, all theories have something positive and valuable to offer. With all the choices, the student can attempt to assemble the best of the best, and pluralistically incorporate them into their early practice. With time and experience, the student will become the professional practitioner, and hopefully in the future, the master professional. All any student can hope for is relative competence. My Theoretical Orientation: A Start I agree with Corey and Elkins (2013) that relationships matter in most realms of life, and essential to the therapeutic process. Thus, I first embrace Rogers, who believed that therapist and client must engage in an egalitarian, therapeutic relationship, in which the therapist is nonjudgmental and empathetic. Rogers’ unconditional positive regard is essential. However, Rogers’ passive therapeutic role is too time-consuming for most working environments today. However, I also recognize that two major trends today are driving the psychotherapeutic community today, (a) integrationism, and (b) brief, cost-effective therapies. …show more content…
I believe it almost essential to include dimensions of Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a proven, cost-effective modality. I embrace Beck’s premise that bad thinking leads to bad behaviors, and that correcting thinking can correct behavior. As Boettcher, Hofmann, and Wu (2016) put it, maladaptive cognitions lead to maladaptive emotions, which lead to maladaptive behaviors. Of course, CBT cannot meet every need. Because CBT is present-focused, some clients - like those dealing with childhood abuse-- require other treatments. I plan to incorporate CBT into my practice, but it will not be my foundational orientation. Yet, for brief, cost-effective therapies, I really prefer Solution-Focused and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. SFT/SFBT is another strengths-based model that continues to gain research support, and is appreciated for its simplicity, and positive outcomes. SFT/SFBT focuses on what clients can do, not what they cannot do. It focuses on …show more content…
Outside efforts, and pressures will only produce slight, temporary change. Even the most miserable people prefer their current state over change, because of the uncertainty it brings. As Scripture says, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire” (1Pet. 2:22, WEB). Fernando (2007) mentions Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic, A Christmas Carol, and how it took facing death to change Scrooge’s heart. Yalom (1980) said, “Life and death are interdependent; they exist simultaneously, not consecutively; death whirs continuously beneath the membrane of life and exerts a vast influence upon experience and conduct” (as cited in Fernando,
Jones and Butman (1991), along with Corey (2013), comment that theoretical orientations and allegiances tend to change with time and experience. Students are introduced to popular psychotherapies, and eventually gain experience working with them. During their training they interact with experienced instructors who offer their insights and preferences. Once in practice, the therapist learns what works for them and their clients, and what does not. To be sure, personality, training location, instructors, and worldview (or Weltanschauung, Ger.) all affect the counselor 's eventual orientation(s). Considerable research supports this reality (Buckman, 2006; Ciorbea and Nedelcea, 2012; Boettcher, Hoffman, & Wu, 2016; Christopher, 2008; Hummel, 2009). Practitioners eventually confront the limitations of their preferred orientation(s), and wonder why, make adjustments, and move ahead. These minor crises are the building blocks of life lived, an essential component of professional and personal growth. Dr. Corey (2013) notes that over 95% of psychotherapists consider themselves “integrationists”. Jones and Butman (1991) caution, however, that many wind up combining “mutually contradictory concepts and techniques, and approaching the client in a manner that lacks logical coherence” (p. 383). Patterson (as cited in Jones & Butman, 1991) calls this “atheoretical syncretism” (p. 383). For the overwhelmed student, Corey (2013) reminds us that it is the therapeutic alliance that produces positive results, that "techniques have limited importance in the therapeutic process" (Corey, 2013, p. 19). Elkins adds, it “is not theories and techniques that heal the suffering client but the human dimension of therapy and the ‘meetings’ that occur between the therapist and the client as they work together” (as cited in Corey, 2013, p. 19). With Corey’s encouragement in mind, we must still take some informed steps forward. As we have considered, all theories have something positive and valuable to offer. With all the choices, the student can attempt to assemble the best of the best, and pluralistically incorporate them into their early practice. With time and experience, the student will become the professional practitioner, and hopefully in the future, the master professional. All any student can hope for is relative competence. My Theoretical Orientation: A Start I agree with Corey and Elkins (2013) that relationships matter in most realms of life, and essential to the therapeutic process. Thus, I first embrace Rogers, who believed that therapist and client must engage in an egalitarian, therapeutic relationship, in which the therapist is nonjudgmental and empathetic. Rogers’ unconditional positive regard is essential. However, Rogers’ passive therapeutic role is too time-consuming for most working environments today. However, I also recognize that two major trends today are driving the psychotherapeutic community today, (a) integrationism, and (b) brief, cost-effective therapies. …show more content…
I believe it almost essential to include dimensions of Aaron Beck’s Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a proven, cost-effective modality. I embrace Beck’s premise that bad thinking leads to bad behaviors, and that correcting thinking can correct behavior. As Boettcher, Hofmann, and Wu (2016) put it, maladaptive cognitions lead to maladaptive emotions, which lead to maladaptive behaviors. Of course, CBT cannot meet every need. Because CBT is present-focused, some clients - like those dealing with childhood abuse-- require other treatments. I plan to incorporate CBT into my practice, but it will not be my foundational orientation. Yet, for brief, cost-effective therapies, I really prefer Solution-Focused and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. SFT/SFBT is another strengths-based model that continues to gain research support, and is appreciated for its simplicity, and positive outcomes. SFT/SFBT focuses on what clients can do, not what they cannot do. It focuses on …show more content…
Outside efforts, and pressures will only produce slight, temporary change. Even the most miserable people prefer their current state over change, because of the uncertainty it brings. As Scripture says, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire” (1Pet. 2:22, WEB). Fernando (2007) mentions Charles Dickens’ 1843 classic, A Christmas Carol, and how it took facing death to change Scrooge’s heart. Yalom (1980) said, “Life and death are interdependent; they exist simultaneously, not consecutively; death whirs continuously beneath the membrane of life and exerts a vast influence upon experience and conduct” (as cited in Fernando,