Theories are used to inform counselors of ethical and evidence-based practices. To ensure optimal support for clients, counselors should know when and how to apply theories that have been proven to be effective with intervention. Counselors improve in their practice when they understand their clients and the theories that they can use to interpret clients’ situations and guide them toward treatment.
For this assignment, choose 1 of these theories from the textbook that you might use to counsel individuals in crisis:
CBT
Existential
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
500-725 word
Explain how you would use this theory in your counseling practice to support individuals in crisis.
Support your ethical use of the theory with academic research to justify your explanation.
Full Answer Section
- Angst and anxiety are inherent to the human condition. Humans are aware of their own mortality and of the uncertainty of life. This awareness can lead to feelings of anxiety and angst.
- Freedom and responsibility are inextricably linked. Humans are free to make their own choices, but they are also responsible for the consequences of those choices.
How to Use Existential Therapy to Counsel Individuals in Crisis
When counseling individuals in crisis, existential therapists can help them to:
- Understand and explore their existential concerns. Existential therapists can help clients to identify and explore the existential concerns that are contributing to their distress. This may include concerns about death, anxiety, meaninglessness, and freedom.
- Develop coping mechanisms for dealing with existential anxiety. Existential therapists can help clients to develop coping mechanisms for dealing with existential anxiety. This may include learning to accept uncertainty, finding meaning in life, and living in the present moment.
- Take responsibility for their own lives. Existential therapists can help clients to take responsibility for their own lives and to make choices that are consistent with their values.
Ethical Considerations
It is important to use existential therapy in an ethical manner. Here are some specific ethical considerations:
- Be respectful of client autonomy. Existen
Sample Answer
Theoretical Approach: Existential Therapy
Rationale
Existential therapy is a humanistic-existential approach to psychotherapy that focuses on helping individuals to find meaning and purpose in their lives. It is well-suited for counseling individuals in crisis, as it can help them to explore their thoughts and feelings about death, anxiety, and other existential concerns.
Core Principles
Existential therapy is based on the following core principles:
- Existence precedes essence. This means that humans are not born with a predetermined purpose or meaning in life. Rather, we create our own meaning and purpose through our choices and actions.