Discussion: Counselor Identity Formation
Please think about and list what other theories you would add to your primary approach to have a more integrative approach.
The class subject is: theories of counseling and psychotherapy
This is the transcript:
OK, so now that, in the course, you’ve had a chance to be exposed to and learn about all these different theories, I’d like to hear a little bit about what you kind of currently identify as your own theoretical orientation, and maybe how your own personal experiences or your social, cultural background has influenced your attraction to that particular theory. So Nyrie, would you like to go first?
Sure. So right now, I think my focus mainly is on psychodynamic. So that’s what interests me the most. And just throughout my schooling, I’ve always kind of gravitated towards it, just thinking about the past and also the unconscious. I think that’s always fascinated me. And I can imagine, working, that I would be able to use that the most with my clients. So that’s the one that I’ve gravitated the most towards.
OK. Yushan?
I’m more interested in family therapy, so I think I would pick Bowen theory. It’s more focused on individuality and togetherness. So it’s not only for a family as a whole, you also see the individual in the family, how that affect as a whole in the family. So yeah, that would be my [INAUDIBLE] intention.
OK. And does your own sort of cultural background kind of influence your attraction to Bowen theory?
Yeah, definitely, because it’s always– it’s very personal for the client, as well to as a therapist. So it’s always interesting to see how the client’s family dynamic is, and how they work through the other life experience, like some issue in the family, some conflicts. So yeah, that’s why I’m very– I think it’s a really good theory for a family system.
OK, thanks. What about you, [? Zian? ?]
I personally like existential a lot because I do think that value can sometimes, like, function as a drive in terms of our behavior, how we think. And also, that’s something that can always guide us along the way of growth, too. So I think exploring into the meanings of life for an individual, even though that might look different, can help this person to grow. And yeah.
OK. Thank you both– all three. Thank you all three very much.
OK. Now what I’d like you to do, after being exposed to all these different theories and learning about them in this course, is share what your own personal theoretical orientation is at this time, and what social, cultural variables maybe have influenced your attraction to that particular theory.
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