Running head: COUNSELING THEORY PAPER 1

Counseling Theory Paper:

Theoretical Perspective as a Professional School Counselor

Caroline Keel

Ball State University

Counseling Theory Paper:

Introduction

As a counselor, being aware of the theoretical approaches and which ones fit more

effectively in your perspective on human nature, problems, and change for an individual

is essential. Not only is understanding the approaches important, but the counselor’s self-

knowledge of his or her own values, life philosophy, and worldview is equally vital for

the counselor to do his or her job effectively.

This paper will cover multiple theories, such as solution-focused brief therapy

(SFBT), rational emotive behavioral therapy (REBT), and person-centered therapy.

These theories correlate with the author’s own perspectives and beliefs. The view of

human nature, the nature of problem, the process of change, and how the author uses the

theories in practice are the four main topics that will be discussed in the paper. These

topics will also explain, in detail, the effectiveness of each theory and the counselor’s

role.

View of Human Nature

My personal perspective of human nature is that humans are shaped by the world

around them. We choose whether we do good or bad based upon our experiences. For

example, when a situation arises, we either choose to continue or cease doing what

brought about the situation; if we see something that happened to another person, we

either choose to do that same thing or to avoid doing it. The interactions, relationships,

and everyday activities that humans choose to have are all based on events that have

occurred throughout a person’s life. I believe that, while the immediate environment and
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upbringing that a human has will always be a part of that person’s life, it does not define

them or hold them back from what they want to become.

My view of human nature is most compatible with two therapies; rational emotive

behavior therapy (REBT) and person-centered therapy. REBT’s view of human nature is

that humans are born with the potential for both rational and irrational thinking, along

with a tendency toward the latter and to needlessly disturb oneself. REBT also believes

that a person has the capacity to change his or her cognitive emotive and behavioral

processes. Most importantly, REBT encourages people to accept themselves even though

they will make mistakes (Corey, 2013).

Person-centered therapy’s view of human nature is that humans are capable of

self-understanding and self-direction. A person is able to make constructive changes and

live effective and productive lives. Carl Rogers believed that if the counselor is able to

experience and communicate his or her realness, support, caring, and nonjudgmental

understanding to the client, then significant changes are most likely to occur in the client

(Corey. 2013).

As a school counselor I feel that it is essential to build a positive relationship with

the students, along with helping the student understand the importance of accepting

mistakes. The role of the counselor is to, first, build trust then work together with the

student to resolve situations. I feel the process of helping the students understand that

mistakes happen and accepting themselves is an essential role for counselors.

The Nature of Problems    

her  problems.  I  feel  that  multiple  factors  play  a  role,  such  as  gender,  race,  
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socioeconomic  status,  sexual  identity,  religion,  expectations,  and  personal  

appearance.    I  also  feel  that  a  counselor  must  view  problems  not  solely  based  on  the  

situation  but  also  the  person’s  history.    

  REBT  therapy  is  similar  to  my  view  for  nature  of  problems.  I  believe  that  

many  people  have  irrational  beliefs  that  they  follow,  which  then  in  turn  causes  

problems.    According  to  Corey,  irrational  ideas  led  to  self-­‐defeating  behavior  (2013).  

An  example  of  irrational  idea  is  that  unhappiness  results  from  outside  events,  so  

therefore  a  person  has  no  control  over  such  despair.  Another  example  is  that  

running  away  from  difficulties  and  responsibilities  is  easier  than  facing  them.    

Understanding  irrational  ideas  is  beneficial  as  school  counselor  because  many  

students  will  have  these  thoughts.    My  goal  is  to  help  students  understand  their  

irrational  thoughts  and  assist  them  in  changing  self-­‐defeating  behaviors  or  views.    

The Process of Change

A person’s perspective of their problem is not easy to change and will take

multiple steps. These steps are different for every counselor based upon his or her

perspective and/or process of counseling. I believe that everyone has been through many

life experiences to define themselves. Even if two counselors solely based their practice

on solution-focused brief therapy, they both will be focusing on different points

throughout the session.

For me, I feel the first step must be building a therapeutic relationship with my

student. If I do not build a positive rapport, my student may not be as open with me and

the process of change could take much longer. Building a therapeutic relationship

consists of establishing empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard.

The theory that seems most congruent with my view of my beginning process of

change is person-centered therapy. After the therapeutic relationship is built, the

counselor will then help the student to achieve a greater degree of independence and

assist the student with their growth process. This will help the student cope with their

current and future problems. Afterwards, the student and counselor will focus on

possibilities, not problems, meaning they will work together to come up with solutions.

This is where solution-focused brief therapy comes into the process of change (Corey,

2013). It is important to remember that the student must see that there is a problem before

the goal is established. A positive therapeutic relationship with students is important

because a lot of the students do not view anything wrong with their behaviors and do not

feel that they need to change (Corey, 2013).

Once the student sees that there is a problem, establishing an effective process of

change occurs. As the counselor, I will be helping the student focus on the positive, or

what is going well in their life. Focusing on the positive will help the student see the good

things in life rather than the bad. This process is similar to solution focused brief therapy

(Corey, 2013).

My Theory in Practice

As a school counselor, I need to help every student develop a positive lifestyle

and social interest. My goal is to establish positive self-esteem, and to help students

understand the importance of valuing cooperation over competition. When I am

counseling students, I will be using different approaches based on situations that occur.

My approach will be different for each student because my approach pertains solely on

the situation. The techniques, strategies, and tools that I believe will assist in the process
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of change will also be based on each individual’s situation. For example, when I need a

quick solution to a problem, I will use solution-focused techniques. If I have a student

who needs long-term counseling, I would be using more person-centered or rational

emotive behavioral therapy. Each day is unique as a school counselor and students

present different problems throughout the day.

According to Wood (2007), one of the most common problems facing youth that

can negatively impact many areas of their lives, such as school performance, is excessive

anxiety. “Children who are highly anxious may be overly reticent, may avoid peer

interaction, or may act in a less competent manner when around peers because of

preoccupation with threat and an inability to focus on the social cues at hand” (Wood,

2007, pg. 345). The process of REBT could help those students who are anxious about

situations that occur in school. Wood’s study found that rational emotive behavior

therapy was helpful for the students who had anxiety (Wood, 2007).

A major concern that is presented to school counselors is student performance in

the schools. Students are considered at-risk youth when they do not meet the academic

performances or have behavioral problems. One study examined the impact of solution-

focused therapy with such students (Corcoran, 1998). According to Corcoran (1998),

they set up concrete goals that are achievable within a brief time period for these at-risk

students. There was a three step process: the counselor making a goal, the counselor

placing responsibility for change on the student, and applying change in the desired

direction and allowing the student to take credit for changes made (Corcoran, 1998).

This study shows the benefits of using a step process technique, based on solution-
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focused therapy, and gives another example of how important therapy is in a school

setting.

While working in a school it is essential to build rapport with not only the

students but also the staff members. Meeting with teachers will provide information

about situations that occur in the classroom, as a school counselor is not able to be

involved in the classroom at all times. The information received from the teachers will

help me prepare for my weekly psychological educational presentations in the

classrooms. As a school counselor, I not only have individual and group meetings with

students, but also go into classrooms to educate students on academic success, career

guidance, and personal/social development. (Fisher, Masia-Warner, & Klein, 2010).

Another topic that is important to understand and comprehend is how to assist

students in the process of change when a traumatic event occurs. “Traumatic events are

typically defined as incidents that are perceived as terrifying, shocking, sudden, or that

potentially pose a threat to one’s life, safety, or personal integrity” (Black, Woodworth,

Tremblay, & Carpenter, 2012, pg. 192). Some examples of traumatic events about which

a school counselor may hear is students who have faced physical, sexual, or emotional

abuse, being a victim of or witnessing a crime, abuse in the household, surviving a

natural disaster, or a school shooting. As a school counselor, it is important to remember

that a traumatic event is subjective and if the student is genuinely traumatized then the

student will experience the negative effects associated with trauma. REBT is used in the

case of a traumatic situation that occurred in a student’s life (Black, Woodworth,

Tremblay, & Carpenter, 2012). However, REBT is not the only therapy that can be used

to help students with traumatic events.

Another article explains how the need is great for effective treatment approaches

for children and adolescents exposed to trauma. According to Wethington et al. (2008)

group interventions for children who are effected by natural disasters or school shootings

are highly important and results showed that symptoms of depression and anxiety were

reduced when cognitive behavioral therapy, specifically rational emotive behavioral

therapy, was used.

Summary

As a professional school counselor, I plan to have a self-integrated theoretical

orientation that combines solution-focused brief therapy, rational emotive behavioral

therapy, and person-centered therapy. There are many environmental factors that strongly

influence youth perspective, though biological factors play a role as well. Each student

presents unique challenges, which require different approaches to help the student.

However, I will use solution-focused based techniques most often while working in the

school.
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References

Black, P. J., Woodworth, M., Tremblay, M., & Carpenter, T. (2012). A review of

trauma-informed treatment for adolescents. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie

Canadienne, 53(3), 192-203.

Corcoran, J. (1998). Solution-focused practice with middle and high school at-risk

youths. Social Work In Education, 20(4), 232.

Corey, G. (2013). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. Belmont, CA:

Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.

Fisher, P. H., Masia-Warner, C., & Klein, R. G. (2004). Skills for social and academic

success: A school-based intervention for social anxiety disorder in adolescents.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review, 7(4), 241-249.

Wethington HR; Hahn RA; Fuqua-Whitley DS; Sipe TA; Crosby AE; Johnson RL;

Liberman AM; Mościcki E; Price LN; Tuma FK; Kalra G; Chattopadhyay, S.

(2008). The effectiveness of interventions to reduce psychological harm from

traumatic events among children and adolescents: A systematic review.

Wood, J. (2006). Effect of anxiety reduction on children's school performance and

social adjustment. Developmental Psychology, 42(2), 345-349. doi:10.1037/0012-

1649.42.2.345.