STUDENT NAME : EDOUARD NOEMIE

STUDENT ID : 2303_25247
COHORT : BCNLG/23A/FT

MODULE NAME : BA(HONS) COUNSELLING

LECTURER NAME : SANJAYDUTH BHUNDHOO

SEMESTER II ASSIGNMENT I
TABLE OF CONTENT
Humanistic theory
Psychodynamic theory
Cognitive theory
Behavioral theory

Systemic theory
Constructivist theory

Question:
(1) Compare and contrast between humanistic, cognitive, behavioral,
psychoanalytic, systemic and constructivist theories.
(2) Under which circumstances these theories can be applied effectively.
With their systematic approach to comprehending human behavior and their ability to direct the
therapeutic process, counseling theories provide the foundation of therapeutic practice. They provide
therapists with a distinct viewpoint on human behavior as they serve as lenses through which to
examine the struggles and experiences of their clients. Each of the six primary theoretical subfields of
counseling listed; humanistic, cognitive, behavioral, psychoanalytic, constructionist, and systemic, offers
a distinctive perspective on the human condition (Paul). Although the six theories differ from each
other, they still have quite a few similarities.

Humanistic theory

To begin, the humanistic theory or approach which spread it’s idea throughout the 1950s placed greater
emphasis on human goodness than on negative effects or the lessons learned from the past. Carl
Rogers, who first used the term "actualizing tendency," developed this person-centered approach in
collaboration with Abraham Maslow, who later studied the need for self-actualization (Hora). This
holistic approach focuses on the whole person. The conscious human experience is seen as the
foundation of psychological establishment by humanists, who hold that an individual is "in the process
of becoming." This type of therapy helps the client become more self-actualized through acceptance and
empathetic listening by the therapist. Rogers made a significant contribution to the efficacy of person-
centered therapy by helping his patients achieve self-actualization and completely functional living. By
doing this, Rogers emphasized the therapist's acceptance, congruence, and presence. Humanistic
therapy aids in promoting personal growth rather than treating conscious ideas, treating unconscious
motivations; and emphasizing the importance of the present and future over the past.

Some of the key focus of humanistic approach insinuate that people are conscious and aware of their
own consciousness. Since humans can make decisions, they have a responsibility. So, in addition to
setting objectives and purposefully causing future events, humans look for creativity, meaning, and
value. Moreover, there are four fundamental techniques used in humanistic counselling. One of them is
congruence. Congruence describes the therapist's intrapersonal and interpersonal traits. In order to do
this, the therapist must be mindfully genuine and share their experience with the client in a
conscientious manner. The second technique is active listening. An atmosphere of support can be
created through active listening. To get the client to continue their conversation, for instance, response
tokens like "uh-huh" and "mm-hmm" work well. Active listening techniques also include maintaining eye
contact with the client, paraphrasing, asking questions, utilizing facial expressions, looking at them, and
occasionally nodding. The third technique comprises reflective understanding which involves restating
and elaborating on what the client has said, much like active listening. This method is crucial because it
helps the client identify their feelings by bringing them to light. In practice, using Socratic questioning
would guarantee a reflective understanding. The fourth one is unconditional positive regard. This
technique takes the patient's therapist's attitude into account.

The counselor demonstrates their value for humanity and, more specifically, their client, by their
unwavering warmth and acceptance (Millaci). Humanistic therapy is often used when dealing with
people suffering from depression. Through pattern recognition and exploration, the counselor assists
the patient in humanistic therapy in an effort to learn more about the potential effects of this behavior
on the patient’s wellbeing. To succeed in better understanding how they might be influencing one
another, the counselor will probably question the patient about their feelings, thoughts, and actions.
This process will help the patient acquire clarity and self-awareness about their own values, beliefs, and
objectives. In turn, enabling them to better manage difficult emotions and discover meaning and
purpose in their lives. Other cases where humanistic therapy might be applied are while treating
patients suffering from addiction, personality disorders, panic disorders, schizophrenia, anxiety and
family and relationship concerns. In any case, humanistic therapy can have many benefits such as
improving self-esteem, boosting self-awareness, coping skills and growth and improving relationships.

Psychodynamic theory

Having its roots in Sigmund Freud's work, the psychodynamic theory stresses unconscious psychological
processes such as desires and fears that we aren't fully aware of and maintains that childhood
experiences have a significant influence on an adult's personality. In short, referring to what Freud
believed, a person's actions can be explained by factors beyond their awareness. This theory is deeply
determinist because it holds that our actions are solely determined by our unconscious, uncontrollable
emotional drives and because it rejects the idea of free will. Parapraxes, sometimes referred to as
Freudian slips or slips of the tongue, are ways by which unconscious ideas and feelings can enter the
conscious mind. We say something we didn't mean to say, but it reveals what is really on our minds.
According to Freud, verbal blunders can reveal information about the unconscious mind. He also held
that all behavior, including verbal blunders, is predetermined and that there are no accidents
(Masterclass).

Psychodynamic theory includes techniques such as building up emotional resilience. In order to prevent
reverting to negative, ingrained behavioral patterns during stressful situations, the counselor and the
patient may talk about how to strengthen your emotional resilience during therapy. The second
technique is discussing relationships. The counselor might ask the patient to discuss his loved ones with
them friends, family, partners, and anybody else who has an emotional influence on his life in order to
help him develop better relationships with other people. Free association is the third technique used in
psychodynamic theory. Discussing all that comes to mind, including fantasies, desires, and fears, will be
encouraged by the counselor. Speaking freely and without inhibitions about what comes to mind is
known as "free association." Modeling healthy relationships is the fifth technique used in
psychodynamic theory. The counselor uses transference to help the client comprehend what makes a
healthy relationship, strong trust and open communication. Another effective technique used is
processing the full range of emotions through talk therapy. The counselor will provide a safe space for
the patient to process all of his emotions during sessions, including any unconscious feelings and
emotions from the past. Lastly, releasing the past is also done during psychodynamic therapies. The
patient might be encouraged by his counselor to make a link between his current behavior and his early
experiences (Masterclass).

Like humanistic theory, psychodynamic theory may be applied when treating patients with depression.
This theory can also be applied in cases where patients are struggling with eating disorders. Often, the
most effective treatment for eating disorders is psychodynamic therapy. Therapists at Magnolia Creek
who practice psychodynamic therapy assist patients in identifying patterns in their actions or ideas.
Clients may discover that patterns have existed since childhood or even puberty if they are able to focus
on them. This can help identify the underlying causes of the patterns. For instance, some women might
find it awkward to eat in front of other people for as little as a hurtful comment or a disapproving glance
from a parent during their teenage years. On the other hand, a client might recall that their history of
trauma or long-standing mental health conditions were the cause of their childhood disordered eating.
Other cases in which psychodynamic theories may be useful are when treating patients with borderline
personality disorder, anxiety, pain and psychopathological issues in adolescents and children.

Cognitive theory

Based on the idea that our thoughts and perceptions can affect our emotions and actions, cognitive
theory examines how to reevaluate unfavorable thoughts in order to help people develop more
adaptive, constructive ways of thinking that will ultimately affect their actions. The core principles of
cognitive therapy are very closely associated with the works of 20th century American psychiatrist Aaron
Beck who discovered that negative thoughts and beliefs were the most common obstacles for his
clients. Beck believes that thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected, and that by
identifying and changing inaccurate thinking, problematic behavior, and distressing emotional
responses, individuals can work toward overcoming their difficulties and meeting their goals. Cognitive
therapy entails therapists working collaboratively with clients to develop skills for identifying and
replacing distorted thoughts and beliefs, ultimately changing the associated habitual behavior toward
them. It is usually present-oriented and problem-solving oriented.

Cognitive restructuring is an example of a critical technique used in CT which consists of several steps.
The first step is to recognize the problematic thoughts (whether they are automatic thoughts or
(cognitive distortions). These are dysfunctional or false perceptions of oneself, one's situation, one's
environment, or one's future, and are based on an individual's core beliefs. The next step is to rationally
debate these ideas. Finally, the client is encouraged to internalize a rational rebuttal to the
automatic/dysfunctional thoughts. Another technique used is guided discovery. This allows clients to
find their own answers. A therapist uses guided discovery to highlight behavioral problems and distorted
thinking patterns by creating new experiences that lead clients to adopt new skills and perspectives. This
method employs both cognition and behavior change, allowing individuals to find solutions on their
own.

Often referred to as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive therapy is effective when treating
patients with bipolar disorder. CBT can be used to treat bipolar disorder by, treating the symptoms of
depression that arise during depressive periods or episodes, addressing any negative ideas or
sentiments regarding manic episodes, such as guilt and by tackling the emotions of losing connections or
friends. This can lessen depressive or manic episodes as well as general distress. In addition, it can make
one more conscious of their feelings, mood, and bodily sensations as well as typical signs of a manic
episode. This knowledge can assist the patient in making appropriate preparations for manic episodes
by putting into practice self-care and restorative habits that promote relief and making doable
arrangements to reduce the risk of bipolar disorder, like lending cash and credit cards to a reliable friend
if the patient has a past of excessive spending. Other cases where CBT might be used is when treating
patients having phobias, low self-esteem, anger issues and chronic pain.

Behavioral theory

Classical conditioning, which B.F. Skinner formalized and applied to language development in the late
1950s, is the foundation of behavioral theory. Language included, Skinner thought, was a learned
response to any situation. This theory reduced the importance of mentalistic theories to explain
language use. Skinner believed that associations formed with specific environmental stimuli could alter
or modify behavior. Operant conditioning, which contends that rewards and punishments either
increase or decrease the likelihood of a behavior occurring, is a fundamental tenet of behavioral theory.
According to behavioral theory, language is unique among behaviors because it is only reinforced by
other people. Since appropriate language is ignored or corrected when it is spoken by adults, children
who are learning language attempt to speak in ways that are similar to adult speech because they are
rewarded for speaking in these ways. There is a popular experiment where Ivan Pavlov showed that
dogs could be classically conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly
presented while they were given food.

Crucial techniques used in behavioral therapy include self-monitoring. In order to monitor their
behavior, including when they become irate or how many cigarettes they smoke, clients receive training.
Being unable to watch how the client behaves when not in the session Logs of emotions and thoughts
are used to document unsettling or distressing emotional states, the precise nature of the actions at the
moment, and the ideas that accompanied the feelings. Another technique used is behavioral interviews.
Therapists may employ behavioral interviews during sessions to observe how clients behave. Inquire
about prior events, ask about problematic behavior and establish and clarify treatment objectives and
targets. The behavioral interview probes deeper into particular behavioral needs rather than simply
accepting statements from the client, like "I'm depressed." The therapist might inquire, for instance,
"What happens during the day when you are feeling depressed?" Interoceptive exposure is also another
technique used behavioral therapy. Clients learn how to manage the physical components of severe
anxiety and panic through interoceptive exposure. Using interoceptive exposure tasks, the client
concentrates on internal physical cues, like hyperventilating, holding their breath, shaking their head,
spinning in circles, breathing in the chest and breathing through a straw.

Addiction is one of the mental health conditions that behavior therapy can treat. In order to treat
addiction, behavioral therapy, or CBT, focuses on recognizing and altering the underlying thought
patterns and behaviors that give rise to addiction. As part of CBT, individuals are required to question
their unfavorable beliefs and create more constructive coping mechanisms. People who use CBT are
able to comprehend the causes and effects of their addiction. It offers useful tools for controlling
cravings, enhancing emotional regulation, and strengthening problem-solving abilities. It is a successful
addiction treatment option because of its individualized approach and evidence-based methodology
(David). Other applications of behavioral therapy include substance use, schizophrenia and other
psychotic disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, eating disorders, insomnia, antisocial and
borderline personality disorder, criminal actions, chronic pain, and fatigue.

Systemic theory

Systemic theory studies how people are connected to the world, to themselves, and to other people.
Systemic therapy addresses issues that arise not from within the patient but rather from their larger
social and political context, their job, their friends and family, and their environment at large. Finding
ingrained patterns in a person's family and relationships is the aim of systemic therapy. Therapy helps
people understand and change unhealthy relationship dynamics by revealing how members
communicate and behave based on their beliefs about their roles. Systemic therapy is strong because it
doesn't look backwards; instead, it focuses on identifying and modifying unhealthy patterns in
relationship dynamics. Whether seeking a short- or long-term course of treatment, systemic therapy
may be a useful option. The number of therapy sessions can be discussed at any time with the therapist,
as it will be determined by the patient’s individual needs.
Through systemic therapy, the patient can gain better impulse control, learn acceptable social
behaviors, and comprehend how family dynamics might be affecting their behavior. Identifying the
source of one's fears and learning coping mechanisms can be facilitated by a systemic approach. This
therapy is useful to anyone suffering from depression, anxiety disorders, PTSD, substance abuse, eating
disorders, body-image issues, relationship issues, and low self-esteem. People can discover the source
of their fears and learn coping mechanisms with the aid of a systemic approach in treating anxiety.
People who have gone through traumatic experiences can benefit from systemic therapy by learning
how these memories are impacting their lives now this can help in alleviating symptoms of PTSD.

Constructivist theory

The theory of constructivism, which forms the basis of constructivist therapy, maintains that an
individual's unique perception of reality and the meaning they derive from life are created, not
discovered. Experience affects how people perceive and comprehend the world in this way. One of the
central tenets of this theory is that reality is created, not discovered. According to constructivism theory,
there isn't a single objective perspective on the world. Rather, each person constructs their own reality,
a viewpoint based on their own set of life experiences. Sense of self, order, and active agency are key
constructivist themes. People search for patterns and give meaning to the world in order to make it
easier to understand because they are orderly beings. A person's relationship with oneself is vital but
dynamic since it is influenced by their interactions with others and their own experiences. Individuals
manage their own lives actively. It is up to each individual to broaden their understanding of the world
and, in the end, make decisions that are conducive to their well-being, even though there are some
things that are beyond their control.

Techniques like journaling, guided imagery, and sensory awareness exercises can be employed by
constructivists. They might also assist patients in externalizing their issues, which is a common narrative
therapy strategy.

Since the reconstruction of meaning is frequently central to the grieving process, constructivist
methodologies can be especially beneficial in the treatment of grief. Organizing and reconstructing
reality in the absence of the lost person can be a challenging task for an individual who has experienced
loss. Some people may adopt a new identity in the process, which may entail creating new routines and
relationships. Constructivist approaches can also be helpful to people who are struggling to make sense
of the trauma they have experienced, as well as to those who are worried about or have questions
about their own sense of identity. Certain individuals may find it easier to comprehend existential ideas
and issues when constructivist methods are employed.
LIST OF REFFERENCEES:

www.structural-learning.com. (n.d.). Counselling Theories. [online] Available at:

https://www.structural-learning.com/post/counselling-theories.

UKEssays.com. (2018). Humanistic Theory According To Abraham Maslow Education

Essay. [online] Available at:
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/education/humanistic-theory-according-to-
abraham-maslow-education-essay.php.

Hora, P. (2020). Humanistic approach to Counselling. [online] Budding Psychologists.

Available at: https://buddingpsychologists.org/humanistic-approach-to-counselling/.

Millacci, T.S. (2022). Humanistic Psychology’s Approach to Wellbeing: 3 Theories.

[online] PositivePsychology.com. Available at:
https://positivepsychology.com/humanistic-psychology/.

Bornstein, R. (2023). The Psychodynamic Perspective. [online] Noba. Available at:

https://nobaproject.com/modules/the-psychodynamic-perspective.

MSW programs (2020). What is Psychodynamic Theory? - Social Work Theories &
Approaches. [online] www.onlinemswprograms.com. Available at:
https://www.onlinemswprograms.com/social-work/theories/psychodynamic-
theory/.

Himani (2023). Humanistic Therapy For Depression: Techniques And Benefits. [online]
Mantra Care. Available at: https://mantracare.org/therapy/depression/humanistic-
therapy-for-depression/.
Dr. Axe. (n.d.). Is Humanistic Therapy Right for You? [online] Available at:
https://draxe.com/health/humanistic-therapy/.
McLeod, S. (2023). The Psychodynamic Approach. [online] Simply Psychology.
Available at: https://www.simplypsychology.org/psychodynamic.html.

Magnolia Creek. (n.d.). Psychodynamic Therapy | Eating Disorder Treatment. [online]

Available at: https://www.magnoliacreek.com/how-we-treat/psychodynamic-
therapy/.

www.counselling-directory.org.uk. (n.d.). Cognitive therapy - Counselling Directory.

[online] Available at: https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/cognitive-
therapy.html#:~:text=Cognitive%20therapy%20is%20based%20on.

Ph.D, M.M. (2023). Cognitive Therapy Techniques & Worksheets: Your Ultimate
Toolkit. [online] PositivePsychology.com. Available at:
https://positivepsychology.com/cognitive-therapy-techniques/.

Healthline (2021). Treating Bipolar Disorder with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

[online] Healthline. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/bipolar-
disorder/cognitive-behavioral-therapy#cbt-for-bipolar-disorder.

www.sciencedirect.com. (n.d.). Behavioral Theory - an overview | ScienceDirect

Topics. [online] Available at:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/psychology/behavioral-theory.

Ph.D, J.S. (2023). Behavior Therapy Methods: 12 Best Techniques & Worksheets.
[online] PositivePsychology.com. Available at:
https://positivepsychology.com/behavior-therapy-techniques/.
Systemic Theory and Therapy. (2015). Relational Integrative Psychotherapy, pp.212–
225. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119141518.ch15.

Verywell Mind. (n.d.). What Is Systemic Therapy? [online] Available at:

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-systemic-therapy-
5215847#:~:text=Systemic%20therapy%20can%20help%20the [Accessed 17 Nov.
2023].
Good Therapy (2016). Constructivism. [online] Goodtherapy.org. Available at:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/learn-about-therapy/types/constructivism.