This Assignment Is Worth 50 Points. View The Following Three

This assignment is worth 50 points. View the following three videos: 1. Gloria and Fritz Perls 2. Gloria and Albert Ellis 3. Gloria and Carl Rogers

This assignment requires you to review and critique three therapeutic sessions involving Gloria with Fritz Perls, Albert Ellis, and Carl Rogers. You should analyze and compare the therapeutic techniques used in each session, integrating terminology and concepts from your weekly readings. Your critique must cover topics such as therapeutic listening techniques, methods to increase client participation, empathy demonstration, mindfulness techniques, stages of change, and more.

Specifically, address the following questions: Which therapist fosters rapport? Who connects with Gloria? Who encourages change? Who demonstrates mindful awareness? Critically analyze the verbal and nonverbal communication styles of each therapist. Identify the techniques used, or not used, to promote dialogue and build the therapeutic relationship, providing specific examples from the videos. Reflect on which therapeutic approach aligns with your personal style and discuss any ethical considerations observed. Additionally, explore the common factors that appear across these three approaches.

Your paper should be 6-10 pages long, including an introduction and conclusion. Use APA style formatting throughout. To substantiate your critique, incorporate concepts and terminology from your course readings effectively. Be creative and ensure your analysis is thorough and insightful, going beyond simple summaries of each session. Properly cite all sources, and ensure your work is original, free of plagiarism.

Paper For Above instruction

The therapeutic videos featuring Gloria interacting with Fritz Perls, Albert Ellis, and Carl Rogers provide a rich foundation for comparing and contrasting three distinct approaches to psychotherapy. Each session illustrates unique techniques and philosophies, revealing how therapists establish rapport, foster change, and demonstrate empathy. This paper critically analyzes these sessions, integrating course concepts to evaluate their effectiveness, communication styles, and ethical considerations in therapy.

Introduction

Understanding different therapeutic modalities is crucial for developing effective counseling practices. The videos featuring Gloria serve as practical demonstrations of Gestalt therapy (Perls), Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (Ellis), and Client-Centered Therapy (Rogers). A thorough critique requires examining the techniques used, the therapist-client rapport, communication styles, and the potential for replicating these approaches in future practice. This essay aims to analyze these components, compare their strengths and limitations, and reflect on how these approaches align with my personal therapeutic style.

Overview of the Sessions

The first session with Fritz Perls exemplifies Gestalt therapy, emphasizing present awareness, experiential techniques, and direct confrontation. Perls employs techniques such as role-playing and the "empty chair" intervention, aiming to heighten Gloria's awareness of her feelings and behaviors in the present moment. His communication style is often expressive, animated, and sometimes confrontational, aimed at evoking genuine insight from Gloria.

The second session features Albert Ellis and signifies Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Ellis adopts a more didactic style, challenging Gloria’s irrational beliefs through Socratic questioning and logical disputation. His tone is assertive yet humorous, focusing on helping Gloria restructure her thoughts to promote emotional well-being. His techniques involve cognitive restructuring, active listening, and psychoeducation, with a clear emphasis on empowering Gloria to recognize and change her erroneous beliefs.

The third session involves Carl Rogers, showcasing client-centered therapy emphasizing unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness. Rogers creates an accepting environment, often reflecting Gloria's statements to demonstrate active listening and understanding. His non-directive approach relies heavily on minimal intervention, allowing Gloria to lead the discussion while feeling supported and accepted.

Comparison and Contrast of Techniques and Approaches

Fritz Perls’ Gestalt approach is characterized by experiential and confrontation techniques that aim to heighten awareness through direct engagement. His use of role-playing and emphasis on present-moment awareness directly involve Gloria in her emotional experiences. The technique of "here and now" emphasizes mindfulness, aligning with contemporary mindfulness practices, though Perls’ confrontational style may challenge client comfort levels.

Ellis’ REBT adopts a structured, cognitive-behavioral approach that challenges irrational thoughts, promotes rational thinking, and encourages behavioral change. His use of logical disputation and Socratic questioning seeks to replace irrational beliefs with rational alternatives, fostering empowerment and self-efficacy. Unlike Gestalt therapy’s focus on emotional awareness, REBT emphasizes cognitive restructuring and emotional regulation.

Rogers’ client-centered approach prioritizes unconditional positive regard and empathy, creating a safe space for clients to explore their feelings. His reflective listening techniques affirm the client’s experiences and foster a deep sense of acceptance, crucial for psychological growth. Rogers’ approach is less directive than Perls’ and Ellis’, promoting client autonomy and self-discovery.

Evaluation of Communication Styles and Therapeutic Engagement

Verbal and nonverbal communication play significant roles in establishing therapeutic rapport. Perls’ expressive gestures and confrontational tone often evoke strong emotional responses, which can be both therapeutic and potentially intimidating. His nonverbal cues—such as maintaining eye contact and expressive gestures—serve to intensify engagement but require careful calibration to remain empathetic.

Ellis’ assertive tone, with a direct questioning style, fosters a sense of challenge and engagement, motivating Gloria to examine her irrational beliefs critically. His nonverbal cues, such as leaning forward and maintaining eye contact, demonstrate attentiveness and confidence, which can influence client perception of therapist credibility.

Rogers’ calm demeanor, gentle tone, and open body language create an atmosphere of safety and acceptance. His minimal use of directive techniques allows Gloria to feel unjudged, fostering openness and trust. Both verbal affirmations and nonverbal cues like nodding and open posture reinforce his empathic stance.

Techniques to Promote Dialogue and the Therapeutic Relationship

Perls employs experiential techniques that actively involve Gloria, such as expressive role-playing and focusing on present experiences. These techniques promote self-awareness and emotional processing but may risk overwhelming clients sensitive to confrontation. His nonverbal expressiveness supports engagement but must be balanced with empathy.

Ellis uses Socratic questioning and cognitive restructuring, encouraging Gloria to critically evaluate her beliefs. These techniques stimulate dialogue and foster insight, while also emphasizing the client’s active role in change. His assertiveness can motivate change but may need careful application to prevent resistance.

Rogers’ emphasis on reflective listening and unconditional acceptance encourages Gloria to share openly without fear of judgment. These techniques build trust and rapport, essential for effective therapy, especially for clients hesitant to express vulnerability.

Personal Reflection and Ethical Considerations

Among these approaches, I find the Rogers’ client-centered style aligns most closely with my personal therapeutic preferences. Its emphasis on empathy, unconditional acceptance, and empowering clients resonates with my belief in fostering genuine therapeutic relationships. Ethically, all three therapists appear to maintain client autonomy and respect, although Perls’ confrontational style may occasionally challenge boundaries if not carefully managed. Ellis’ direct approach demands clear boundaries to avoid manipulation or client discomfort, while Rogers’ non-directiveness fosters autonomy but requires skilled facilitation.

Common Factors Across Approaches

Despite differences, several common factors emerge among these therapies. The importance of the therapeutic alliance is evident across all three, serving as a foundation for progress. Empathy and genuine understanding are central to Rogers and are also present, albeit through different means, in Perls and Ellis. Therapist credibility, active listening, and the creation of a safe environment are shared features that influence therapy outcomes regardless of theoretical orientation.

Conclusion

The examination of Gloria’s sessions illuminates diverse pathways to facilitating client growth—ranging from the experiential confrontation of Gestalt therapy, the structured cognitive challenge of REBT, to the nurturing, accepting environment of client-centered therapy. Each approach offers valuable techniques and insights, with strengths and limitations that practitioners must consider. Reflecting on these sessions deepens understanding of how to tailor therapy to individual client needs, emphasizing rapport, empathy, and ethical practice. Personal alignment might favor Rogers’ approach for its emphasis on genuine connection, but integrating techniques from all three modalities can enrich therapeutic effectiveness.

References

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• Wampold, B. E. (2015). The Great Psychotherapy Debate: The Evidence for What Makes Psychotherapy Work. Routledge.