Discussion Question: Comparing Three Theories For This Week

Discussion Question: Comparing Three Theoriesfor This Weeks Discussio

In this week's discussion, we analyze a counseling scenario involving Roberta, who faces complex emotional and relational issues relating to her marriage, affair, and desire for clarity. The scenario asks us to consider which counseling theory—Person-centered, Gestalt, or Reality—would be most appropriate for helping her, how we would implement that approach, how to handle her request for direct advice, and the appropriateness of social meetings outside therapy sessions. We will explore these questions in detail, integrating core concepts from each theoretical perspective to provide a comprehensive response.

Choice of Counseling Theory: Person-Centered Theory

Among the three theories mentioned—Person-centered, Gestalt, and Reality—person-centered therapy (PCT), developed by Carl Rogers, stands out as the most suitable for Roberta’s scenario. PCT emphasizes unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence, fostering a safe environment for clients to explore their feelings without judgment. Given Roberta’s emotional turmoil and internal conflict, a person-centered approach prioritizes her autonomy, self-awareness, and acceptance, allowing her to discover her own solutions rather than being directed or given interpretations.

This approach is particularly fitting because Roberta is deeply involved emotionally and needs a space to process her feelings and thoughts freely. The supportiveness of a person-centered counselor encourages her to access her inner needs, reflect on her values, and develop her own understanding of her situation. Unlike Gestalt therapy, which might focus more on here-and-now awareness through experiential exercises, or Reality therapy, which emphasizes personal responsibility and choice, PCT fosters a non-directive environment crucial for a client in emotional distress, as Roberta is.

Implementing the Person-Centered Approach

In helping Roberta sort through her confusion, I would employ core principles of person-centered therapy. First, I would establish a warm, non-judgmental therapeutic environment characterized by unconditional positive regard. This allows Roberta to express her feelings—her love, frustration, guilt, and fear—without fear of rejection or judgment. Active listening and empathetic reflection would be central strategies; I would reflect her feelings back to her to validate her experience and help her access deeper insights.

Furthermore, I would encourage her to explore her internal values and beliefs about marriage, love, and fidelity. Through facilitative dialogue, Roberta could gain clarity about her authentic self and what she truly desires. I would be cautious to avoid guiding her toward specific decisions but instead prompt her toward self-discovery, helping her articulate her goals and feelings. This process aligns with Rogers’ emphasis on the client’s capacity for self-directed growth when provided with empathetic support.

Additionally, I might invite her to explore her self-concept and incongruence—how her current feelings and actions conflict with her ideal self—and encourage her to work toward greater congruence, which can ultimately lead to healthier and more authentic choices.

Handling Roberta’s Request for Advice

Roberta’s request for my perspective and advice touches on a common boundary issue in counseling. According to person-centered principles, the therapist’s role is non-directive; providing advice or solutions could undermine her autonomy and self-trust. Therefore, I would respond by acknowledging her need for guidance but gently redirect her toward self-exploration. I might say, “It’s understandable that you’re seeking clarity. While I won’t tell you what to do, I can support you as you explore your feelings and values to find your own answers.”

Potential problems with giving direct advice include fostering dependency, diminishing her sense of agency, or imposing my values, which might not align with her authentic self. Conversely, not offering my perspective might leave her feeling unsupported, especially if she perceives me as detached or uninterested. However, the person-centered approach emphasizes facilitating her self-awareness rather than providing solutions, fostering her capacity to make authentic decisions.

Practically, I would facilitate her reflection by asking open-ended questions such as, “What are the feelings behind your desire to stay in the marriage or pursue your relationship with the other man?” or “What values are most important to you at this point in your life?” This method encourages her to develop her own reasoning and decision-making skills, which aligns with the core ethos of person-centered therapy.

Considering a Casual Meeting: Ethical and Practical Considerations

Roberta’s request to meet for coffee after her session raises ethical and boundary issues. Maintaining professional boundaries is essential to protect the integrity of the therapeutic relationship and ensure ethical standards are upheld. Typically, social meetings outside of therapy are discouraged because they can blur boundaries and create dual relationships, which might impair objectivity and confidentiality.

However, in some circumstances—such as if Roberta is in an immediate crisis or requires additional support—occasional informal contact may be ethically permissible if it is within agency policies and approached with clear boundaries. For example, if Roberta is experiencing severe distress, a brief, professionally appropriate follow-up meeting might be justified, but not a casual social encounter like coffee outside the context of ongoing therapy.

Potential conflicts include the risk of losing objectivity, the client feeling that the boundary is overly relaxed, or the therapist unintentionally influencing her decisions outside the therapeutic framework. Such meetings could also compromise confidentiality and create dependency. According to ethical guidelines (American Psychological Association, 2017), transparency about the boundaries of therapy is paramount. The therapist should ideally clarify that the purpose of ongoing sessions is to support her within a professional framework, and casual meetings could threaten this.

In summary, any continuation of contact outside therapy sessions should be approached with caution, ensuring it aligns with professional standards, maintains clear boundaries, and prioritizes the client’s welfare.

Conclusion

Roberta’s complex emotional landscape benefits most from a person-centered approach, which emphasizes empathy, unconditional positive regard, and facilitating her self-exploration. This non-directive stance supports her in discovering authentic solutions to her dilemmas. Handling her request for advice with gentle redirection aligns with the core principles of person-centered therapy, promoting her autonomy and self-trust. Finally, while informal meetings outside therapy are generally discouraged, context and ethical considerations must guide whether such interactions are appropriate, always prioritizing clear boundaries and professional integrity.

References

• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code
• Carkhuff, R. R. (2017). The Interpersonal Relationship: The Heart of Helping. Charles C Thomas Publisher.
• Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-Centered Therapy. Houghton Mifflin.
• Corey, G. (2016). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (10th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Egan, G. (2013). The Skilled Helper: A Problem-Management and Opportunity-Development Approach to Helping (9th ed.). Brooks/Cole.
• Wampold, B. E. (2015). The Great Psychotherapy Debate: The Evidence for What Makes Psychotherapy Work. Routledge.
• Gelso, C. J., & Mounts, N. J. (2018). Professional and Ethical Issues in Counseling and Psychotherapy. Pearson.
• Yalom, I. D. (2002). The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists. HarperCollins.
• Norcross, J. C., & Goldfried, M. R. (Eds.). (2005). Handbook of Psychotherapy Integration. Oxford University Press.
• Gehart, D. (2016). Mastering Counseling Competencies: Skills, Meaning, and Self-awareness. Cengage Learning.