Professional Theoretical Approach to Counseling

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PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 1 Professional Theoretical Approach to Counseling Rhonda Wright School of Behavioral Science Liberty University Author Note Rhonda Wright, I have no known conflict of interest to disclose. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Rhonda Wright. Email: Rwright66@liberty.edu

PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 2 Professional Theoretical Approach to Counseling Introduction Covid-19 caused the World to shut down and those with mental health issues experienced extreme suffering. Isolation can become a murder for those diagnosed with mental health issues. During the height of the pandemic, the health care profession became essential the number of deaths where too many to count. This writer remembers seeing 18-wheelers (trucks) parked outside of hospitals being loaded with dead bodies. First responders, nurses, and medical care workers were highly recognized. The only profession within the healthcare environment that was not acknowledged was the counseling professionals. For this writer that was mind-blowing as most of the world was seeking mental health services during the year 2020. Those who struggle with addiction, attended AA, and NA meetings regularly and were sober for over three decades were now struggling with relapse and needing help getting sober. There was a need for counselors and this has increased since the year 2019. It is very important for those who are in the field to understand the modalities behind the profession of being a therapist. This paper has discussed the importance of being a counselor in contemporary times. As a new counselor in training, this writer has addressed human nature and change, her personal background, relationship building and assessment, and ethical and Biblical principles.

PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 3 Human Nature and Change Existential therapy best fits this writer's values and beliefs. Existential therapy is an all- inclusive therapy where the therapist and the client can ally. According to Corey (2020), “Existential therapy focuses on exploring themes such as mortality, meaning, freedom, responsibility, anxiety, and aloneness as related current struggles” (p. 132). The goal of Existential therapy is to help the client find a more meaningful existence. The client will also learn what it is to make choices based on their morals, values, and beliefs. According to Corey (2020), “A basic existential premise is that we are not victims of circumstance, because, to a large extent, we are what we choose” (p. 132). Although there are some areas of disagreement or concerns with this theory this writer believes this best fits her values. According to Johnson (1978). “It is a flexible goal and characteristic for individuals to move from goal to goal, thought to thought and idea to idea and barely noticing any movement” (p. 532). Human beings are mysterious by nature and the human brain is an area where no psychologist, scientist, or doctor will figure out as long as humans exist. The one who will understand how the human mind works is the Creator Himself (Adonai/God/Lord). Personal Background This writer's background has a large influence on her beliefs in existential therapy. This writer comes from an environment of total dysfunction. She has been physically, mentally, and sexually abused throughout her life. Her father is a veteran of Vietnam. He was very angry and abusive from the time he came home when this writer was five years old, and because of the abuse, she tried to commit suicide at the age of eight. Her mother was an alcoholic who attempted suicide in front of this writer at the age of 16 years old. This writer was raped at the

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PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 4 age of 14 by a distant relative and was impregnated. From there this writer found out that drugs and alcohol were a way to numb the internal pain she felt. This went on for 21 years until one day she was told by Jesus Christ that He cared for her. This was a lifestyle change and for the past 13 years she has been matured by the Adonai mentally, emotionally, physically, and most of all spiritually. The original reason for this writer developing a relationship with Jesus was so that He would answer the prayer of taking her from this wicked world allowing her to die naturally and allowing her into His presence. Because every attempt she made to end her life was unsuccessful she prayed and asked the Lord to take her. This writer would have to say that during the year 2010, her relationship with the Lord has grown, and the Lord and this writer have become best friends. He has shown this writer that there is truly no one who will love and care for this writer as He does. He has given this writer His word, His promises, and most of all His love. He has called this writer to go and teach about this new way of life as described in the Book of Acts. 5:18-22. Relationship Building and Assessment As an existential therapist, this writer agrees with the characteristics and the description of this therapy. According to Tan (2011), “Existential therapy is more than a philosophical attitude or approach in counseling. It is a particular school of therapy with specific techniques” (p. 102). An existential therapist helps the client develop their identity by finding out who they are without external distractions such as their jobs, families, communities, and their position in life. As an existential therapist, this writer will assess the client for their internal communication by listening to what they say to themselves through conversation. According to Schweitzer and Rubin (2014), “ a problem checklist the interview takes place and gives the client a method of

PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 5 conveying information about their concerns” (p. 88). Although existential therapy does not have a specific technique the therapist is allowed to incorporate different modalities into the therapy session. A very useful technique would be active listening, another would be unconditional positive regard, and also addressing thinking errors. The goal that this writer would collaborate with the client would be to talk about the thought-stopping techniques that would involve cognitive behavioral therapy. The client would be given an assignment starting with a bibliography for psycho-education purposes, and then they would be given an activity to complete until the next session. This activity may include a written assignment, a physical assignment, or a reflection on their internal dialogue. Ethical and Biblical Principles A biblical principle this writer uses is based on Acts 5:18-22. The angel of the Lord tells the Apostles to go teach about this new way of life. The Apostles were released from jail by the angel of the Lord and given an assignment to teach despite being beaten, falsely accused, and killed. This writer has accepted the assignment of teaching others about living a new way. The Lord has shown this writer how to teach without violating ethical standards. The ACA Code of Ethics states (Kaplan et al., 2017), “ A.4.b. Personal Values Counselors are aware of and avoid imposing their values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. Counselors respect the diversity of clients, trainees, and research participants, and seek training in areas in which they are at risk of imposing their values onto clients, especially when the counselor’s values are inconsistent with the client’s goals or are discriminatory” (p. 4). The Bible speaks of Christians as being gentle as doves and wise as serpents. As a Christian counselor, this writer is led and guided by the Holy Spirit.

PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 6 Existential therapy has a biblical baseline in the areas of recognizing that people are free to make choices. It is by these choices that the client will determine the direction they take in life. Through this therapy, they will learn how to make healthy choices that will assist them in changing their thinking and developing self-efficacy. Conclusion As a Christian counselor in training this writer would use a biblical application in connection with existential therapy. This writer would support the client by building rapport, providing a safe place, and developing an alliance with the client. This writer believes in transparency and being transparent builds trust and allows the client to understand someone cares for them and wants them to be healthy, whole, and well. With existential therapy, there is an openness to use different techniques with the client. This writer’s background has an impact on the services she provides for those who are sent to her. It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that this writer is allowed to serve in this field. Isaiah 61: 1 “The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness the prisoners” (Bibles & Publishers, 2011).

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PROFESSIONAL THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING 7 References: Bibles, H., & Publishers, H. (2011). Gift and Award Bible-KJV . Hendrickson Publishers. Corey, G. (2020). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy, enhanced . Johnson, R. H. (1978). Individual styles of decision making: a theoretical model for counseling. The Personnel and Guidance Journal , 56 (9), 530–536. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164- 4918.1978.tb05305.x Kaplan, D. M., Francis, P. C., Hermann, M. A., Baca, J. V., Goodnough, G. E., Hodges, S., Spurgeon, S. L., & Wade, M. E. (2017). New concepts in the 2014 ACA Code of Ethics. Journal of Counseling & Development , 95 (1), 110–120. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12122 Schwitzer, A. M., & Rubin, L. C. (2014). Diagnosis and treatment planning skills: A popular culture casebook approach (DSM-5 Update) . SAGE Publications. Tan, S. (2011). Counseling and psychotherapy: A Christian perspective . Baker Academic.

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