Developing Your Theoretical Orientation in Counseling and Psychotherapy : A Handbook for Helping Professionals

by Halbur, Duane A.; Halbur, Kimberly Vess

• ISBN13: 9780137152575
• ISBN10: 0137152574
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-07-08
• Publisher: Pearson

Summary

Developing Your Theoretical Orientation in Counseling and Psychotherapy provides therapists-in-training with tools, strategies, and activities to formulate their response to the age-old question, "What's your theoretical orientation?" The underpinnings of counseling and psychotherapy are based in its theoretical foundation. This text gives students the understanding and the tools to develop a theoretical orientation throughout their training program.

The innovative Second Edition incorporates cultural competencies and alternatives views of theoretical orientation, such as strategic eclecticism, as well as provides a greater focus on constructivist and family theories.

New to This Edition

-NEW! A primer of major family theories to provide students with a great summary for those who have already had theories, or as reminder for those later in their development as counselors (Ch. 4).

-NEW! Clinical examples help makes the process of finding a theory pragmatic (Ch. 5).

-NEW! Case studies for supervisors working with those with unique theoretical orientations (Ch. 5).

-NEW! Provides a rational for theoretical orientation and compares this to eclectic and empirically validated therapies, offering strong support for the foundation of having a theory of counseling (Chs. 1 & 2).

"I like the simplistic stance this book uses to guide and facilitate what all counselors find hard to do...that is, to develop their theoretical orientation. Whether novice or amateur, this book offers the helping professional a step-by-step process to articulate this process." -Joy J. Burnham, University of Alabama

"I see the basic strength of the book being the opportunity and structure it provides students to examine the philosophical and personal factors that might influence their choice of a theoretical approach." -James Archer, Jr., University of Florida

"The text offers a clear and concise guide for students to assist them in moving toward actively utilizing theory in their practice" -Valerie G. Balog, Univesity of North Carolina at Charlotte

"I think this is a good supplemental text to the comprehensive overview of theories types that are currently available. I also think there is a market for this as a supplemental text in a clinical course (practicum, for example)." -Heather Trepal, University of Texas at San Antonio

Author Biography

Duane’s research interests include school counseling, philosophical counseling, and technology in counseling. Kimberly’s research includes diversity competences for helping professions and the medical fields. They recently co-authored Essentials of Cultural Competencies in Pharmacy Practice with the American Pharmacists Association. They have both been active Counselor Educators and worked in private practice.

Table of Contents

Why Theoretical Orientation Is Important	p. 1
A Personal Experience	p. 1
The Big Puzzle	p. 2
What is Theoretical Orientation?	p. 3
The Helper's Tool Belt	p. 3
What Can A Theoretical Orientation Do For Me?	p. 4
How Have Others Picked A Theoretical Orientation?	p. 5
What If I'm Eclectic?	p. 6
Guidance From The Dodo Bird Effect: Do They All Work?	p. 7
Once I Have It, How Can I Use It?	p. 8
How Are Theoretical Orientation And Ethics Related?	p. 8
The Main Points	p. 9
Reflection Questions	p. 9
Incorporating Theory Into Practice	p. 11
Making Theory Useful: A Model	p. 11
Theory Development	p. 12
Importance of Your Life Philosophy	p. 13
Schools of Thought	p. 14
Theories	p. 15
Goals And Techniques: Interventions At Work	p. 16
Counselors Are Diverse	p. 17
Resistance To Theories: Eclectic, Integrated, Or Just Don't Know	p. 18
Does It Really Work?	p. 20
What To Take Home	p. 21
Reflection Questions	p. 22
Top 10 Ways to Find Your Theoretical Orientation	p. 23
Find Yourself	p. 24
Articulate Your Values	p. 24
Survey Your Preferences With The Selective Theory Sorter	p. 26
Use Your Personality	p. 26
Taking the MBTI	p. 33
Capture Yourself	p. 33
Let Others Inspire You In Your Learning	p. 34
Read Original Works	p. 34
Get Real	p. 34
Study With a Master	p. 35
Broaden Your Experinces	p. 36
Top 10 WRAP-UP	p. 36
Reflection Questions	p. 37
Suggested Readings and Webpages	p. 37
Six Schools of Thought and Their Theories of Helping	p. 43
Psychodynamic School Of Thought	p. 47
Psychoanalytic Theory	p. 47
Analytical Theory	p. 51
Individual Psychology	p. 54
Behavioral School Of Thought	p. 56
Behavioral Therapy	p. 57
Humanistic School Of Thought	p. 60
Person-Centered	p. 60
Existential	p. 62
Gestalt	p. 65
Pragmatic School of Thought	p. 67
Cognitive Behavioral	p. 68
Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy	p. 69
Reality Therapy	p. 71
Constructivist School Of Thought	p. 73
Multicultural Counseling and Therapy	p. 73
Feminist Therapy	p. 75
Narrative Therapy	p. 77
Solution-Focused Brief Therapy	p. 80
Family School Of Thought	p. 81
Bowen Family Systems Therapy	p. 82
Strategic Family Therapy	p. 83
Structural Family Therapy	p. 84
Summary	p. 87
Reflection Questions	p. 87
Case Examples for Integrating Theory into Practice	p. 89
Clinician Case Studies	p. 89
Evan	p. 90
Jill	p. 92
Garrett	p. 93
Ryan	p. 96
Comment on the Cases	p. 96
Client Case Studies	p. 97
Tony	p. 97
Nancy	p. 98
Brenda	p. 98
Supervisory Case Studies	p. 99
Grace	p. 99
Casey	p. 100
Dominic	p. 100
Summary of Cases	p. 101
Putting It All Together	p. 101
Importance Revisited	p. 101
How Theory Is Found	p. 102
Empirically Validated Treatments	p. 102
Benefit of the ITS Model	p. 103
The Field	p. 103
References	p. 105
Index	p. 111
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