Theories in Counselling: A Comparison of Rational Behavioural Therapy, Family System Therapy and Feminist Therapy

Running head: THEORIES IN COUNSELLING
THEORIES IN COUNSELLING
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THEORIES IN COUNSELLING
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Introduction
The primary purpose of the essay is to compare and contrast the rational behavioural
therapy, family system therapy and feminist therapy. The essay describes the history, goal, and
technique of each of the theories. Lastly, the essays compare and highlight the most plausible
theories with boarded scope.
Rational behavioural therapy is one of the type of active-directive therapy which was
formulated by Albert Ellis in the year 1950. The therapy helps to recognize the irrational and
negative thoughts that often lead to the behavioural and emotional issue (Wood, Barker &
Turner, 2017). The family systems therapy was established by Murray Bowen in 1960, focus on
the family and regard it as an emotional unit (Colapinto, 2015). The feminist therapy focuses on
empowering and strengthening women and highlights the need to break the stereotypes
connected to feminist. The Alexandra Rutherford gave the theory at the end of 1960 (Kaschak,
2016). Comparing the three models, each of them has a different perspective and used by a
different group of population. From the study of Wood, Barker and turner (2019) it can be said
that rational behavioural therapy can be used any age group who is experiencing issues like
anxiety, depression, procrastination, phobias, and addictive behaviour. This therapy helps to
improve the living condition of the people who suffered from a mental disorder. However, the
family systems therapy generally works and defended by the people who have family and
involve in the strong relationship (Fishman, 2017). When feminist therapy compares this model,
it can be said that the women of a different group use it. They defend it as it was developed
concerning the challenges faced in life.

THEORIES IN COUNSELLING
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According to the study of Vasquez and Vasquez (2017), it is inferred that feminist theory
is the person-centred that operate within the cultural context. The main goal of the theory is to
empower the women, and as they also experience mental health disorder due to socio-political
status and psychological oppression. It is evident that women have to face the issue of
discriminations based on the gender-specific stressor and obstacles like violence, victimization
and work inequities (Carr, Green & Ponce, 2015). Thus, the therapy includes the technique of
self-disclosure and reframing and social action to motivate the women. The therapist shares their
own experience and work to shift the perspective of the target group by recognizing the social
factors when the feminist theory is compared to the rational behavioural theory, its goal target
the whole group of population with the sign of mental illness (Arczynski & Morrow, 2017). The
main goal of the REBT is to improve the quality of the life of people by the use of problem-
solving technique, cognitive restructuring technique and coping strategies (Wood, Turner &
Barker, 2019). These help people deal with their mental symptoms and manage them efficiently.
Irrespective to feminist therapy and REBT, the family system therapy aims to address the psyche
and thoughts of the people who are involved in a relationship with the objective to modify their
behaviour by use of the therapeutic technique (Wadhwa & Nicolaides, 2016). It redefines the
thought of one of the family member as the therapy believes that it can influence the function of
the whole family. The three therapy have the common conclusion of improving the quality of life
of the individual peoples or family by working on their mental status.
The family therapy is applied by the mean of role-play session where the therapist
examines the problem solving pattern by focusing on the behaviour of the family member. The
therapy also makes use of paradoxical interventions like suggesting to improve the relationship
to create desired changes (Karam et al., 2015). It motivates the family members by