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Reflective Journal

Psy20001: Introduction to Theories of Counselling Student number: eLA: Learning group: Word count:

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Initially, the idea of counselling session to me was quite stereotypical of a therapist in a room with the client laying on a couch, having a talk. When beginning this subject, I had some understanding of underlying concepts within these perspectives, although I was unaware of the counselling techniques. Now that I have progressed, I have seen how theories I have learnt about in the past relate to real life, especially in a counselling setting. These theories make even more sense after watching or reading real life case studies. This reflective journal will focus on three perspectives learnt about this semester, Psychodynamic, Adlerian and Existential. Psychodynamic My initial understanding showed that I agreed with most aspects of psychoanalytic therapy but was undecided on a few other areas. I knew the basics surrounding Freud and Erikson from previous subjects, so I drew on this knowledge. There were some new aspects within this subject relating to the therapy techniques, I found this supplemented the theory I already knew. I was familiar with Freud’s view that our personality develops through the way in which we satisfy our urges (Eros and Thanos) as well as Freud’s iceberg theory of the id, ego and super-ego. Freud’s psycho-sexual stages and Erikson’s psychosocial stages were also familiar to me. I wasn’t familiar with the techniques of therapy behind this theory. Psychoanalytic therapy focuses largely on making the unconscious conscious. This is done through maintaining the analytic framework, free association, interpretation, dream analysis, analysis of resistance and transference. (Corey, 2017). One therapy technique to stand out to me was free association, which is a process where client’s stop censoring their thoughts and instead be free to say whatever comes to mind to the therapist, even if it seems silly or irrational (Gladding, 2005). Clients are

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encouraged to feel relaxed and are asked to recall early childhood memories or emotional experiences. This feels like a very classic type of therapy to me and is generally what I envision when imagining therapy. Transference on the other hand was a brand-new topic to me; transference is the term used for the client’s response to a therapist. This response is because the therapist reminds them of a significant figure from the client’s past, for example, a therapist may remind the client of their mother who laughed at their feelings when they were younger, the client will then feel that the therapists will laugh at their feelings too. When transference is analysed and interpreted it can then be related back to the positive or negative feelings towards a significant figure in the client’s past. Once this has been established the therapist can help the client understand if or how they are repeating this transference throughout other relationships. The interpretation of this transference relationship is important as it allows the client to recognise old conflicts which they are fixated on and work through them to further their emotional growth (Corey, 2017). My previous understanding of Psychodynamic perspective allowed me to refresh on the basics and really focus on this new aspect of Psychodynamic therapy. I liked seeing how the theories regarding certain milestones in our childhood, which affect us emotionally later in life, come together in the Stan case studies. I now also understand new aspects of this theory such as free association and transference, which play big roles in therapy and shows how our unconscious can affect our behaviour. This theory to me, has been a great beginning step in learning all the counselling perspectives. Adlerian Prior to studying the Adlerian perspective, I had limited knowledge on most concepts and techniques. I did have some idea that it differed from Freud in the way that it was a more

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individual focused theory. The Adlerian theory is centred on a holistic approach and the way a person perceives their ‘subjective reality’ through their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and attitudes. This perspective is a Phenomenological view, meaning therapists attempt to see the world through the client’s eyes. This was something I had not heard of before along with birth order which was most interesting to me. After learning more deeply about the Adlerian perspective and aspects such as birth order I have come to understand how these concepts play a role in therapy. Birth order plays a huge role in development that I did not comprehend. Adler gave special attention to the psychological birth position and our sibling relationships (Corey, 2017). Birth order does not necessarily mean chronological order but more so the individual’s interpretation. e.g. oldest, second child (only two children), the middle child, the youngest child, and the only child (Corey, 2017). To fully understand how the family constellation has impacted the client’s early life experiences and development, it is important to understand their birth order. Birth order can explain issues later in life and therefore is a good area for therapists to explore. For example, an only child who receives all their parent’s attention can lead to them becoming pampered and selfish (Gladding, 2005). They may have characteristics such as a high achievement drive (Corey, 2017), but may find socialising with other children difficult and this could lead to social issues in later life. Learning about the process of therapy in the Adlerian perspective is fundamental. The first aspect of Adlerian therapy is to establish a relationship and rapport with the client. Following is the assessment, a subjective or objective interview, including a life style assessment where early memories of the client are used to understand the client’s goals and motivations. This life style assessment includes early recollections and family constellation which includes birth order, perceptions of self, sibling characteristics and parent relationships (Corey, 2017). Next is to encourage the client to have insight into their purpose and change 4

their ideas surrounding this. Lastly reorientation and re-education take place, this is where the therapist helps the client to make new choices with new beliefs and positive activities. I enjoyed learning about this therapy process. I like the methodical steps in treating a client, but still being able to connect and have great rapport with them. In conclusion the Adlerian perspective surprised me as I didn’t fully comprehend the underlying theory. Before learning about this topic, I did not have realise how much a child’s perceived birth position in the family and siblings can psychologically affect us and impacts later life. Learning about this and watching the case study of Stan really helps to see how relevant this theory is, to me this theory is the one which makes most sense. Existential Before beginning this subject, I was not at all familiar with the existential perspective, it was very new to me. However, I was in agreeance with several concepts of this perspective without realising. I strongly agreed with the belief that the therapist’s main task is to understand the client’s subjective world and help them with their awareness to new options, I think this comes from the previous Adlerian holistic view I had already learnt. Whereas, in contrast to the theory of the Adlerian perspective, I felt that clients are challenged to take responsibility of their own worlds, regardless of past experiences. I was aware that we as humans are free and responsible for our own choices and actions; we are authors of our own lives. This is what the existential therapy perspective is grounded on. For all other aspects I was undecided, but that just meant it made it more exciting to learn something new. Existential therapy is a philosophical perspective and is more a way of thinking about therapy than a style of practice (Corey, 2017) with a focus on living an authentic life. Therapy in this perspective is aimed at helping clients move towards authenticity and recognise if they

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are deceiving themselves (Deurzen, 2012). Basically, therapists help clients face anxiety and take action to create a worthy existence for themselves. (Corey, 2017). The role of a therapist in this perspective is to guide the client on a journey of selfdiscovery by exploring their subjective world in a safe space (Learning materials, 2019). Whilst this perspective does not have a clearly defined process (Gladding, 2005) there is a brief structure consisting of the initial, middle and final phase of counselling. I found the propositions of this theory more beneficial to learn about as they are specific to the existential approach. They main two I felt were most interesting were the capacity for self-awareness and freedom and responsibility which shows how existentialists focus on freedom of choice and the action that goes with it (Gladding,2005). I found this existential perspective hard to fully comprehend as it’s not as methodical or systematic as the other theories, it is excessively individualistic (Corey, 2017). I also find that this theory is closer to philosophy than psychologically, which does make sense as it was founded by a philosopher. Therefore, I would have to say this theory is my least favourite theory. In summary, it is great to see the differences prior to doing the learning and after when reflecting for this journal. Initially I understood the theories of the psychodynamic and minimal about Adlerian. I still had not come to learn how these theories relate to later problems in adulthood such as the psychosocial stages or birth order which play such big roles in therapy. It has helped me fully comprehend the perspectives, from the underlying theories to the therapy techniques.

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References Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. Deurzen, E. V. (2012). Existential counselling & psychotherapy in practice. Los Angeles: SAGE. Gladding, S. T. (2005). Counseling theories: Essential concepts and applications. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall. Swinburne University of Technology. (n.d.). Learning Materials. Reading. Retrieved April 28, 2019, from https://swinburneonline.instructure.com/courses/935/pages/4-dot-3existential-therapy-techniques?module_item_id=80159

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