Humanistic & Exisental Theories

This semester, one of the courses I am taking is Theories of Counseling & Psychology. The requirements of this course include learning about several theories and reflecting upon my thoughts about them. Reflections include a discussion of which components I personally identify with, and which I expect to incorporate into my own theoretical orientation as a counselor.

In reading the chapters on existential and humanistic theories, I appreciated the idea of people having choices in every situation. I do not think that we are exempt from being victims to our circumstances, but we definitely have a choice as to how we interpret and respond to circumstances. I appreciate that once clients accept responsibility they will know that they personally have the power to change. I think that this could be potentially empowering to a client especially if he or she comes from a place of feeling stuck.

I love how philosophical this theory is, the way it deals with a search for value and meaning. I found it really interesting reading the part about anxiety and how some avoid facing the unknown in order to feel secure. Some people are intimidated by my ability to change. If I do no feel fulfilled, I seek it elsewhere. I have for example changed schools, jobs, grad programs, and ended romantic relationships when I did not feel fulfilled. A lot of these changes have lead to anxiety about the unknown, but have also lead to great fulfillment.

I really hope that I can be empathetic and sensitive to clients who are fearful to change. I have experienced the anxiety that goes along with fear of the unknown, but have always lived by the idea that the chance of a more meaningful life is worth the risk.

I appreciate that this theory is person centered and not problem centered. I think it is very important to view people as people first, that are going through struggles, not to see them as diseased. I think this is a healthier way of viewing clients that can help them to see themselves as having potential to change.

These theories discussed identity as anchored in someone else’s definition of you. This brought me back to an exercise from last week in another class. We were exploring the “yardsticks” or expectations other people have for us, and how this impacted us. I wrote about my childhood and the expectations of others that I do things perfectly the first time.

I wrote about how that has contributed to my strong drive to be a perfectionist. I remember the first time I got an A- in college and how disappointed I felt in myself. I wrote about how I reevaluated my values, and have realized that I highly value relationships over achievement. I am working on being less of a perfectionist. I have a choice of whether or not to listen to the expectations other people have for me.

The whole idea of people “doing to avoid being” reminds me of the idea that life is a journey and not a destination. I used to treat life as though it was the opposite. I have the choice to change this.

I appreciated Frankl’s thought that the reality of death could motivate people to live more meaningful lives. I definitely agree with this. I faced a serious case of meningitis in high school and have since changed my outlook on life. I want everything I do to be fulfilling. I want to help people and make a difference. I also want to have meaningful relationships. I feel that this theory fits my life experiences and outlook on life very well. I feel that this will help me to inspire clients to consider what parts of their lives are meaningful and what they may like to change.

The idea that the way one views the world affects how they respond to it and can change the future outcome also his home. This reminds me of a book I read as a child called Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day, and how the character Alexander noticed the bad things in the beginning of the day and focusing on them made him agitated and more noticing of the negative.

I have at times kept a gratitude journal and wrote about all of the things I am grateful for. Having this sort of focus changes the way one views the world dramatically. For example, I started to become more aware of things I am thankful for throughout the day. I started to have a more positive outlook and changed the course of my day. This type of gratitude exercise can probably have a similar affect on future clients.

I LOVED the Humanistic and Existential Theories chapters and feel that these theories will greatly influence my theoretical orientation as a future therapist. My only concern however is the lack of direction/techniques as criticized by others. I am not too worried about that though as evidence suggests that the therapeutic relationship is the most important part in facilitating change and helping clients, and theses approaches strongly value and emphasize the therapeutic relationship.



I want to read this book now :)