Week 3 Discussion: Theory In Action - Humanistic And Existen

Week 3 Discussiontheory In Action Humanisticexistential Applications

Human beings often place blame on people and forces outside of themselves. “Ever since I was fired from my job, I have experienced high levels of anxiety.” “My parent’s divorce caused me to abuse drugs at an early age.” In both of these statements, the blame is given to an external force. Humanistic and existential counselors ask clients to look internally to explore the meaning in these situations. By employing interventions that focus on growth, acceptance, and self-awareness, counselors address the root cause of a client’s problems. In addition, focusing on the person and not the disease or addiction can empower clients to take responsibility for their choices and their lives.

In this Discussion, you use this week’s media to continue your exploration of humanistic and existential theories. In addition, you select one presentation that depicts a theory that resonates with you the most. Watch your selected media in its entirety, carefully observing the interactions of both the client and the counselor. Then, imagine you had not known the counselor’s theoretical approach before accessing the media. Without this knowledge, how might you use his or her actions or interventions to identify the theory that he or she is applying?

When developing your Discussion post, support your ideas by providing references to specific examples from the video. In addition, cite the video frame (e.g., 8.32 minutes) that the action or intervention occurred. You do not need to summarize the demonstration itself, as your instructor and many of your colleagues have also viewed it. Instead, provide insight into the interventions used and major constructs of the theory.

Post by Day 3 a brief description of the video you selected and the theoretical approach used. Explain how this theory resonates with you. Then, describe the counselor’s specific interventions that would indicate his or her theoretical approach and explain how effectively they demonstrated the approach. Finally, share one insight you gained from watching the counselor in the media. Respond by Day 5 to at least two of your colleagues using one or more of the following approaches: · Identify colleagues who selected a different theory than you. · Critically appraise your colleagues’ critique of the counselor’s actions. · Provide insight into how another humanistic/existential theory could have been used to address this client.  

Paper For Above instruction

For this discussion, I have selected the video on existential-humanistic psychotherapy produced by Psychotherapy.net (2008), which illustrates a counselor employing a humanistic-existential approach with a client. The video vividly demonstrates key elements of existential-humanistic therapy, notably the emphasis on self-awareness, personal responsibility, and the search for meaning. Watching this video resonated with me because I believe that helping clients explore their authentic selves and find personal meaning can foster powerful growth and healing. This approach aligns with my own values of empathy, acceptance, and empowerment in therapy.

In the video, the counselor employs specific interventions that are characteristic of existential-humanistic therapy, including active listening, open-ended questioning, and reflection. For example, at around 8.32 minutes, the counselor asks the client to explore their feelings about recent life changes, encouraging the client to articulate their personal experience without judgment. This intervention exemplifies the humanistic focus on the client's subjective experience and the importance of self-exploration. The counselor’s use of empathetic acknowledgment — such as reflecting the client’s feelings and validating their experience — underscores the core construct of unconditional positive regard evident in existential-humanistic therapy.

The effectiveness of these interventions in this context was significant. By maintaining a non-judgmental stance and fostering a safe environment for genuine self-exploration, the counselor exemplifies a fundamental approach of existential-humanistic thought: individuals possess an innate capacity for growth when provided the right conditions. The counselor’s approach demonstrated the therapeutic process of helping clients confront existential concerns such as meaning, freedom, and responsibility, which are central to the theory.

This media solidified my understanding of how existential-humanistic principles can be practically applied. One insight I gained is how essential the therapeutic alliance and genuine presence are in facilitating clients’ internal exploration. When the counselor embodied authentic empathy and acceptance, the client appeared more willing to delve into difficult topics, which underscores the importance of these qualities in effective therapy. Overall, this media reinforced my belief in the power of a person-centered approach rooted in existential-humanism to support meaningful change.

References

• Capuzzi, D., & Gross, D. R. (2011). Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (5th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
• Psychotherapy.net. (2008). Existential-humanistic psychotherapy [Video]. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Yalom, I. D. (1980). Existential psychotherapy. Basic Books.
• Rogers, C. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Houghton Mifflin.
• Bugental, J. F. T. (1984). The art of the psychotherapist. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Schneider, K., & Krug, O. (2010). The power of facing reality: A humanist perspective. Buddhist Geeks Publishing.
• Frankl, V. E. (1984). Man's search for meaning. Beacon Press.
• Baldwin, M. (2011). Existential psychotherapy and the return to humanism. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 51(3), 249-262.
• Mitchell, J. (2000). Existential psychotherapy: A review of the theory and process. International Journal of Psychotherapy, 4(2), 56-65.