Books from Amazon.co.uk

Different theories in Counselling

A counsellor needs to have an understanding of how the problems that clients talk about may arise, and how a helping relationship based on talking can help. There are many different ideas in psychology and philosophy about human nature, personality and pathology, which have resulted in there being a number of different approaches to counselling.

Counselling training in Further Education, the complete guide

Back to top

Types of Counselling and Psychotherapy techniques

• Psychodynamic Counselling
• Cognitive Behavioural Counselling
• Humanistic Counselling

Within these general headings there are many other approaches. There are an increasing number of integrative approaches, which draw on several of the main approaches. There is also a fourth force of psychology, transpersonal psychology, which includes many of the above approaches but additionally addresses a Higher Self component, and is concerned with facilitating the highest potential of a person.

Counselling training in Further Education, the complete guide

Back to top

What is Psychodynamic counselling?

Psychodynamic counselling has its origins in psychoanalytic theory, from which it has drawn basic assumptions about human growth and development, and above all the importance of unconscious forces in the way the mind works. The counsellor-client relationship invites the development of transference, in which the counsellor is experienced by the client in a way that resembles their relationship with significant others in their past or present. Psychodynamic counsellors generally use some techniques derived from psychoanalysis but are unlikely to engage in intensive psychotherapy with the objective of personality change, and will probably focus on specific issues or life events that their client has sought counselling to resolve.

Counselling training in Further Education, the complete guide

Back to top

What is Cognitive-Behavioural counselling?

This approach has evolved out of behavioural psychology and has three key features: a problem-solving, change-focused approach to working with clients; a respect for scientific values, and close attention to the cognitions (beliefs, thoughts and perceptions) through which people monitor and control their behaviour. The client may perceive a cognitive behavioural counsellor more as a trainer or teacher than in other approaches. There is an external website that can expain what CBT is in more detail.

Counselling training in Further Education, the complete guide

Back to top

What is Humanistic counselling?

Humanistic psychology evolved in the 1950's because a number of psychologists including Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers argued that the Psychodynamic and Cognitive-behavioural approaches were too limited in their understanding of human nature and potential. Humanistic counsellors are particularly concerned with how their clients experience fulfilment, creativity and choice as well as with their emotional problems. The client in humanistic counselling is likely to feel that the counsellor is more of an equal partner in the relationship than an expert who knows what is best for the client. The person-centred approach of Carl Rogers is the best-known humanistic approach.

Counselling training in Further Education, the complete guide

Back to top

What are eclectic and integrative approaches?

An eclectic approach to counselling tries to provide the best mixture of ideas and techniques for each client. An integrative counsellor seeks to bring together different elements into a new theory or model. Many practitioners take the view that while one of these approaches may work well for the experienced counsellor, the trainee needs to become familiar with the important differences between the core approaches before deciding whether to try to combine them.

Counselling training in Further Education, the complete guide

Back to top