Existential Counseling: Key figures in Existential Counseling include Rollo May, Victor Frankl, Abraham Maslow and Irvin Yalom. This theory finds it basis in Phenomenology. Or in layman’s terms the study of our experiences taken at their face value, and what they mean to us. We have freedom of choice and are responsible for our fate. We search for meaning and struggle with being alone or not being connected to others. Anxiety and guilr are central concepts. Anxiety is thought to be the threat of non-being and guilt occurs when we fail to fulfill our potential. The goal of this type of therapy is to help the client understand who they are and who they are becoming, bring awareness to the freedom of choosing responsibility and other personal goals. The role of the counselor is similar to that of a Person Centered therapist. There is a focus on the uniqueness of the client and on an authentic personal relationship. The counselor assists the client in moving from an outward frame of reference to accepting responsibility, and understanding the power off one’s own choices. Techniques include building a trusting and genuine relationship with the client, assisting in awareness on one’s uniqueness, confrontation, imagery and awareness exercises. Strengths of this theory are the use of philosophy and literature to inform and direct, and it is particularly effective with anxiety. There is a stress on continuous growth and is effective in cross-cultural counseling. Limitations include the fact that Existential Counseling is not fully developed, therefore there is a lack of training available for counselors, and it does not mix well with other theories, and does not allow for diagnosis or testing.
No comments:
Post a Comment