Counselling Theories: Approaches, Practices, and Cultural Impact

This essay delves into the core theoretical aspects of counselling, comparing and contrasting psychodynamic, behavioural, and cognitive theories. It examines how these theories inform counselling practices, highlighting their similarities and differences. The essay further explores the impact of a client's culture and spirituality on counselling outcomes, recognizing these factors as crucial elements in the therapeutic process. The discussion includes an overview of the key concepts within each theory, such as the focus on childhood experiences in psychodynamic theory, behavioral patterns in behavioral theory, and the role of thinking patterns in cognitive theory. The essay emphasizes the importance of understanding these theoretical frameworks to effectively address issues like anxiety, depression, and social isolation. The essay also touches upon the forces of behaviorism, psychoanalysis, and humanism. The essay underscores the importance of a strong counsellor-client relationship and a safe environment for clients to share their problems. The essay also explores the role of effective communication in identifying the root causes of disorders and how it enhances the counsellor's practices, thus providing a comprehensive overview of the theoretical underpinnings of counselling.

COUNSELLING

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Present study will discuss core theoretical aspects of counselling. It will describe
similarity and difference between psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive theories.
Furthermore, essay will explain how these theories can help in development of practices of
counsellor. It will define impact of client's culture and spirituality on counselling outcome.
MAIN BODY
Counselling is the process in which trained counsellor develop relationship with clients
and give them counselling as per the requirement of patients. Counsellor interacts with patients
in order to identify issues in the person and provide them necessary suggestion to produce
changes in the behaviour and feeling of individuals (Harris and Flood, 2015). The trained
counsellor first figure out issues insight the person that are affecting life of individual.
Counselling helps the person in overcoming from their problems and living a healthy life.
Psychodynamic theory is the most common approach that is adopted by counsellors
which supports in understanding and acknowledging the root cause of the client's problems and
developing understanding that how thoughts of the person affect their behaviour. Issues like
anxiety, depression, social isolation can be addressed with the theoretical approach of
counselling work effectively. Psychodynamic theory is related with behaviour of the person, look
at the individual personality and experiences that occur in the person's life. This theory has been
developed by Sigmund Freud that helps in overcoming from emotional pain of the person and
aids in personality development of individuals.
Behavioural theory of counselling is another type of approach that focus more on
improvement in behaviour of the person rather than concentrating more on healing of the heart
(Meekums, Wathen and Koltz, 2017). It specially looks at the specific behaviour of the patients
whereas psychodynamic theory look at the psychological aspects, thinking or childhood
experiences that impact on the person. Behaviour theory is used by counsellors to treat patients
with eating disorder, sexual disorder etc. Though behaviour theory is differed from
psychodynamic theory but assumptions and techniques that are used by counsellor to understand
the issue within the person are same in both theories. Both these approaches are used to improve
condition of the person so that individual can live a healthy life (Cheng and Tse, 2014).
Cognitive theory is another counselling theory that is related with changing dysfunctional
behaviour and realistic thoughts. This approach focuses on impact of thinking on individual
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behaviour. There are several cognitive theories such as rational emotive therapy, rational
behaviour therapy, schema focused therapy etc. This approach has been developed by Albert
Ellis. Ellis was not satisfied with the current psychoanalyses and psychotherapy approach thus,
individual has started focusing on philosophical beliefs (Ju, Han, Lee and Lee 2016). The main
objective of implementing this theory is that client can take interest in changing their self-
defeating behaviours. This theory supports the patients in concentrating on reasonable in
thoughts and make necessary changes in the behaviour. This theory explains that individual is
required to understand rationale in thoughts ad accordingly they have to eliminate the
irresponsible behaviour from the life and need to adopt accurate behaviour. Cognitive theory
concentrate more on present situation of the patient and their distorted thinking (Maree, 2015).
There are three main forces that are applied in the health care sector while giving
counselling to the patients. First force in psychology is behaviourism. This force explains that
psychology of individual can be understand by observing their particular behaviour. On the bases
of behavioural patter of the patients' counsellor can provide correct counselling treatment to the
patients so that their mental health can get improved soon. Second force in this respect is
psychoanalysis. This concept is being developed by Sigmund Freud. Some part of mind in the
person is conscious but some part is having unconscious mind. Dreams assume by the person
reflect the psychological problem in the mind that supports counsellors to provide treatment
accordingly. Furthermore, third force in the counselling part is humanism. It is aspect that pay
more concentration on unique qualities in individual and potential of the person to growth in
their life. Apart from this there are some other forces such as multicultural psychology, that
impacts on the mental process and behaviour of the patients.
Behaviourism force emphases on thinking and behaviour of the person. If counsellor
found issues in their behaviour then individual adopts behavioural, cognitive therapies to
improve mental condition of the person. Psychoanalysis force pay more emphasis on childhood
experiences of the patients and internal forces that impact on the mental condition of person.
Humanism force concentrate on the inherent process of self actualisation.
Psychodynamic, behavioural and cognitive theories are different from each other’s.
However, psychodynamic approach looks at the childhood experiences of the person that impact
on their personality. On other hand, behavioural theory looks at the pattern of behaviour of the
person and accordingly counsellor classified their conditions. Psychodynamic theory look at the
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experiences of childhood that affect thinking process of the person throughout the life. It helps in
judging the individual personality and provide them counselling in such manner so that person
can get recover from their condition and can live a healthy life. On other hand behavioural
approach believe that behaviour of the human being is mechanical and learned behaviour of the
person’s impact on their personalities. Behaviour approach ignores unconscious part whereas
psychodynamic theory focus on unconscious aspects. This theory can be applied on animals
mostly rather than human being. Behaviour of human is very complex to understand thus,
through this theory or application counsellors can be understand the rout of specific behaviour of
the person and they may get failed to give proper counselling to the patients (Klasen, Bhar,
Ugalde and Hall, 2017).
Behaviour theory is beneficial in the situation when the professional has to test the
specific behaviour of the patients because by this way individual behaviour can be observe and
make useful experiments for improving personality of the person. But it is difficult to
scientifically verify this approach as compared to psychodynamic theory. On other hand,
cognitive theory is another approach that helps in understanding the specific think that is
affecting the individual life and creating problem for them (Gordon, 2016). But it concentrates
more on social situations that impact on individual's life and their personality. Its main aim is to
discover the issues in emotional and perception aspect of the person. Cognitive approach
believes in aware the person regarding cause of negative behaviour and it forces the individual to
improve their condition through self-help (Ofordile, 2016).
Though all these theories of counselling are differed from each other but there are some
areas that are similar in all these approaches. Psychodynamic, behaviour and cognitive all type of
theories concentrate only on improving human life and identifying the rout cause that are
affecting badly the person's personality and their emotional state. Counsellors make assumptions
in order to understand particular issue within the person, in all type of theories these assumptions
are work in same manner.
Counsellor has to develop strong relationship with their patients. They have to interact
well with them so that they share their problems with the experts well and experts can provide
them necessary solution for improving their conditions. Talking with patients is considered as
one of the main aspect in the counselling practices that enhance knowledge of the professionals
about specific issue among the person and providing them proper solution so that such issue can
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be resolved. It enhances knowledge and understanding that support the trained counsellor in
examining the similar cases in the future effectively and providing them quality treatment so that
patient’s condition can be improved soon. In order to provide suitable counselling suggestions,
professional always create safe and warm environment where individual can feel safe and
emotionally can discuss their problems with the person easily. During the session counsellor
always try to achieve the expectation of clients and always want that their patients do progress in
their life (Harris and Flood, 2015).
The main agenda of consultant is to improve personality disorder of the patient so that
they can live a healthy life. Cognitive theory support in understanding emotional state of
individual and motivating them in such manner so that person can get encouraged to self-help
and take care of own. This is the way that improve practices of counsellors and they become
more able to improve condition of the persons. Behaviour theory supports in understanding the
learned behaviour of the person and identifying the loop fall in their learning that is creating
problem for their patients and affecting their behaviour. By this way, counsellor can providing
correct counselling for improving their condition. In addition, psychodynamic theory of
counselling is supportive in understanding the psychological aspect and childhood experiences in
the life of the patient due to which they feel unable to live a good life. With the help of this
theory, individual can identify the root cause of their problems and can provide correct treatment
so that expectation of the patients can be met up.
When counsellor seen difficulty of the client and their stress level then counsellor has to
take support of these theories so that reason of disorder and stress can be identified. For example
psychodynamic model of counselling has been emerged from the case Anna (Klasen, Bhar,
Ugalde and Hall, 2017). She was suffering from paralyses and metal confusion problems. In
order to improve her condition Freud and physician doctors have developed the hypotheses in
which emotional aspects and childhood issues have been taken into consideration. From the case
analysis of Anna, it has been observed that the parts of human body that are no longer in use can
fail to work properly; in such condition, paralysis type of situations can take place in the human
body. Thus, use of these theories support consultant in identifying the rout cause of issue and to
what extend these problems are creating trouble in the human life. Use of these theories support
the counsellor in understanding that during the treatment they have given freedom to the patients
to say anything whatever is coming in their mind (Maree, 2015). These theories explain that if
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speech is uncensored then individual will explore their thoughts. This supports the counsellor in
identifying the situation of patients well and treating them accordingly so that their condition can
be improved soon. Thus, that will develop practices of individual as counsellor because that will
assist the professional in providing necessary treatment to the person so that individual can
overcome from their situation and can improve their conditions.
Counselling theories provides direction and professional framework to the professional.
These skills support the counsellor in developing confidence in patients and build strong
relationship with clients. If counsellor has good knowledge about these models then individual
can become able to prove accurate treatment to the person as per their condition (Gordon, 2016).
This supports in understanding the reason that why individual is behaving in such manner in
specific situation. Use of these counselling theories are helpful in increasing professional
standards and making the counsellor aware with the latest treatment therapies. By this way, they
can become more professionals and become able to treat these patients well. Effective
communication supports in identifying the main reason of disorder in the person so that
counsellor improve their practices for treating the patients in complex cases. Use of these
theories help the counsellor in developing confidence of patients and removing the constrains
from their life. These models enhance skills of the professional and develop their practices as
well. With the assistance of these theories' practitioner can understand the changing needs of
patients and their emotional aspects in life. By this way, counsellor takes into consideration all
these aspects and treat them accordingly. That raise confidence, communication skills and
professionalism in consultant so that they become able to treat complex situation of the patients
well.
There are several factors that impact on entire counselling process and its outcome as
well. Culture and spirituality are the main aspect that impact on entire counselling process. Due
to cultural difference counsellor fail to coordinate well with the patients. In such condition,
professional sometimes feel difficulty in understanding gestures of the clients then they do not
get understanding theta what kind of treatment would be more suitable in particular situation of
the person (Ju, Han, Lee & Lee, 2016). Cultural aspects include values, believes of person. These
values are highly influenced by the society in which individual live. Some treatments are not
acceptable in some cultures; in such condition, patients do not take such counselling therapies
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that gives negative results to the counsellor and practitioner fails to meet with the expectation of
individual and improving condition of the person (Gabriel, 2015).
One of the most common example is cultural beliefs of African American communities.
These people have not faith on health care system and they misbehave for unethical medical
treatment in which counsellor try to know more about their personal, childhood experiences. In
traditional south Asian culture, people those who belong to this community they give high value
to privacy (Harris and Flood, 2015). Public display impact on the personal life and their family
as well. Thus, if these people suffer from such conditions then they do not prefer to discuss their
issue with counsellors because it is subject of shame for them. This impacts on counselling
outcome because when counsellors try to find out rout cause of their issues then they feel unable
to get actual issue within the person thus, they may get failed to give appropriate treatment to the
patients as per their medical requirements. On other hand, Asian people those who pay more
attention on emotional self-control, they do not feel comfortable to discuss their personal issues
with others (Ju, Han Lee and Lee, 2016).
Culture plays significant role in the human life, it influences their behaviour and thinking
procedure as well. In some cultures people like to communicate with others well whereas in
some cultures people think not to interact with other cultural people because it may lead to
confusions (Ofordile, 2016). If consultant belongs from other culture, then patients feel
unconformable to discuss their personal issue with them. Apart from this, in some conditions
their language barriers create confusions among them that may turn into critical situation. In such
condition counsellor fail to provide quality treatment to their clients and understanding their
emotional state and personality. On other hand, if culture of both client and counsellor is same
then it helps the person in understanding situation of the patients and providing them correct
therapy so that mental condition of the person can be improved soon. Counsellors have to be
more aware with the cultural aspects and accordingly they have to build trust in the mind of
patients (Klasen, Bhar, Ugalde and Hall, 2017). If counsellor realises the person that their
personal detail will remain confidential and provide them healthy environment, then it will
develop client counsellor relationship that will help in gaining positive outcome. Moreover, if
cultural and spirituality aspect is being ignored by the consultant, then it may create complication
in getting desired outcome. Because unawareness regarding cultural values of clients can create
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issue for counsellor in understanding rout cause of the problems and providing correct
counselling suggestions.
Cultural unawareness may create issue or struggle to find out cultural experiences in
different clients. Thus, it is very important for the consultants to take into consideration the
cultural aspect of patients and understand the things that are valued in their cultures. That is the
way through which individual can provide correct therapy to the clients and can improve their
condition. This is the way that develops relationship between both and patients trust more on
their counsellors and discuss their personal life and childhood experiences with them so that they
can get correct treatment and can live a normal life.
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it can be concluded that counsellors are responsible to understand
the mental and emotional state of the clients and provide them treat accordingly by taking
support of various counselling theories. Cognitive and psychodynamic theories are very effective
in understanding the root cause of their problems and providing therapies accordingly.
Consultant are required to take into consideration the cultural aspects of clients and they have to
build strong relationship with them so that they discuss their personal life and experience with
counsellor and the counsellor can meet with their expectations by providing them correct
counselling.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Cheng, F. K. & Tse, S. (2014). The use of Chinese Buddhist theories in counselling,
psychotherapy, psychology, and mental health research: An integrative
review. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling. 36(3). 229-242.
Gabriel, L. (2015). Ethics in pluralistic counselling and psychotherapy. The Handbook of
Pluralistic Counselling and Psychotherapy, 300.
Gordon, J. S. (2016). Clinical ethics consultation: Theories and methods, implementation,
evaluation. Routledge.
Harris, G. E., & Flood, K. A. (2015). Teaching Counselling Theory and Skills: A Scoping
Review of Canadian Graduate Counselling Psychology Coursework. Canadian Journal
of Counselling and Psychotherapy/Revue canadienne de counseling et de
psychothérapie. 49(3).
Ju, Y. A., Han, Y. J., Lee, H. & Lee, D. G., (2016). Counselling psychology in South
Korea. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 29(2), pp.184-194.
Klasen, M., Bhar, S.S., Ugalde, A. & Hall, C., (2017). Clients’ perspectives on outcomes and
mechanisms of bereavement counselling: A qualitative study. Australian
Psychologist,52(5), pp.363-371.
Maree, J. K. (2015). Blending retrospect and prospect in order to convert challenges into
opportunities in career counselling. In Exploring new horizons in career counselling (pp.
3-24). SensePublishers, Rotterdam.
Meekums, B., Wathen, C. C. & Koltz, R. L. (2017). Technology as a bridge: developing
intercultural understanding through a counselling student videoconference.British
Journal of Guidance & Counselling. 45(3). 238-247.
Ofordile, C. O. (2016). DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR THE
COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGIST. Sustainable Human Development Review. 2(1).
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