Running head: THEORY COMPARISONS 7-10 1

Whats Your Theory Comparisons Seven Through Ten: A Comparison Between Varying
Theoretical Perspectives and my Perspective of Counseling
Lyndsey G. Hepworth
Seattle University

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Name: Lyndsey Hepworth Whats your theory # 7
Date: 2/27/2012 Theory: Existential Therapy

1. According to existential therapy there are four ultimate concerns of the human condition
including the inevitability of death, isolation, meaninglessness, and freedom and responsibility.
Existentialists believe that these four concerns are present in every individual. My view of the
nature of people includes freedom and responsibility, but hadnt considered the other concerns. I
think that people generally dont like to talk about death and I had not thought about including it
in my view of the nature of people, but the inevitability of death is a part of every person.
2. People have difficulty in life if they do not meet the four ultimate concerns with
awareness, openness, and courage. These concerns create feelings of anxiety in everyone, but
will be lessened if they choose to be courageous, more open and aware. If not, emotional
difficulties will stem. I do not think that everyday problems stem from the four ultimate
concerns, especially the inevitability of death, since most arent thinking about dying regularly. I
think emotional difficulties stem from pressure of society and pressure on self, lack of good
coping mechanisms, and the inner conflict between wants and reality.
3. This theory fits okay with my idea of if people could learn to understand how the world
works then they would achieve a greater sense of wellness. Existential theory acknowledges
the constant cycle of life and death, which I think is necessary in understanding how the world
works. I would add the understanding of how our world is comprised of multiple systems and
we are only a small part of it. If we can understand that there are many forces acting on us, then
perhaps some pressure would be alleviated and we would achieve a greater sense of wellness.
4. Existential therapy is an optimistic and hopeful approach, especially in its perspective
that all people have the potential to transcend those inevitabilities of the four ultimate concerns
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 176). Through awareness, authenticity, freedom and
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responsibility, actualization, and making meaning, people can overcome the ultimate concerns
and produce change in their life. I like to be optimistic and enjoy the condition of making
meaning, or choosing to bring purpose and worth into your life. When there is purpose and
feelings of worth one is much more capable of change. In this theory the clinician is a very
important part of change.
5. Although the text didnt specify what a happy healthy functioning individual looks like, I
think existentialists would include the concept of dasein in their definition. Dasein is defined as
being present, being in the world (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 175). Life is constantly
changing and a happy healthy functioning individual would make meaning of their life and
create a strong sense of self worth. Although I agree with these ideas I would add that they have
a strong support group and high self-efficacy.
6. The counselors role is very important in this theory; they are a key component in client
change. Their role is to discover where the client possesses the potential for meaning, then to
actualize those potentials, and honor meanings realized in the past (Seligman & Reichenberg,
2010, p. 171). In this theory self-disclosure is highly used because the clinicians values are
important. I don't think that clinicians should impose their values onto clients.
7. The client-counselor relationship is a journey where they are co-explorers. Counselors
have no expectations for outcome, no mandates for client behavior, but simply join people in
their quest to use their freedom to craft a meaningful and rewarding life (Seligman &
Reichenberg, 2010, p. 178). I think that a client-counselor relationship should be a warm,
respectful, and collaborative one.
8. This theory considers emotions to be essential in understanding the clients health and
dysfunction, while I think thoughts are the most important.
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Name: Lyndsey Hepworth Whats your theory # 8
Date: 3/5/2012 Theory: Gestalt Therapy

1. Fritz Perls viewed human nature optimistically, saying, every individual, every plant,
every animal has only one inborn goal to actualize itself as it is (Seligman & Reichenberg,
2010, p. 193). I agree with the statement completely; every person has to self-actualize within
themselves and their perspective. He also argued that people are basically good and that
everyone has the power to change.
2. According to this theory, people have difficulty in life when there is a lack of wholeness
and balance. People have difficulty dealing with ambiguity or disequilibrium and prefer
stability and cohesiveness (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 194). When people lack
wholeness they are cutting off other parts of themselves and difficulties stem. This concept
reminds me of Reality Therapy and the Five Basic Needs; when the needs are not balanced how
you need them to be difficulties arise. I agree that life is about balancing and when your efforts
are concentrated only in a couple of areas, others will inevitably be neglected creating problems.
3. This theory uses the same concept as if people could learn to hear their unconscious and
conscious thoughts then they would achieve a greater sense of wellness. When I wrote this I
basically meant being one with your mind and body. Gestalt therapists believe that people
experience psychological difficulties because they have become cut off from important parts of
themselves (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 191). I agree that when you are not paying
attention to every part of yourself that some sort of dysfunction will result.
4. In this theory awareness is necessary for change. When your life isnt balanced or you
are alienating certain areas, difficulties arise. To change you need to become aware of these
mishaps and focus on correcting them. On my first whats your theory I included the will to
change, assuming that you would be aware of the problems you wanted to fix, but after thinking
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about it I enjoy adding awareness to necessary items for change. The textbook suggests, most
people overemphasize intellectual awareness and ignore messages from the body and the senses
(Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 198). So by adding full awareness you could focus on your
entire self and the areas you want to improve or change.
5. In this theory a happy healthy functioning individual would be whole, balanced, and
aware. A healthy person wouldnt let unfinished business and tasks get the best of them, rather
they would deal with them effectively. They would be living in the here and now so that their
mind and body is fully capable of being congruent. I agree with all of these concepts.
6. I enjoy that gestalt clinicians do not urge or persuade people to change or tell people
how they should be (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 199). It is their job to establish a
trusting environment where new ways of thinking can be experimented. The therapist is seen as
a guide who helps clients find his or her way. I enjoy that it is up to the client to find what
works for them because in the long run it will be more helpful than the counselor telling them
what to do.
7. Like existential therapists, gestalt therapists seek to create an I-thou relationship with
clients in which both client and clinician are fully present in the here and now (Seligman &
Reichenberg, 2010, p. 199). They enter into a relationship where both are active in finding
treatments that work for the client. Although I like the client and clinician working together to
finds ways of thinking that is suitable for the client, I enjoy more structured treatment systems
such as in cognitive therapy.
8. This approach emphasizes emotions and sensations and I think it does so nicely. I lean
toward thoughts being the most essential, but this theory showed me why emotions and
sensations are also very important to pay attention too.
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Name: Lyndsey Hepworth Whats your theory # 9
Date: 3/12/2012 Theory: Reality Therapy

1. According to reality theory all people are born with five basic needs. These needs
include belonging, power, freedom, fun, and survival. All behavior is unknowingly directed at
fulfilling one of these needs. In this theory each need does not need to be balanced, but to live
happily you have to have a part of each. For Dr. Mary Graham she said she has a greater
emphasis on the fun need since that is what makes her happy. Although I never looked at human
nature this way, I agree that these five needs are essential to live and be happy.
2. In this theory people have difficulty in life when one of their needs are disregarded or
too much attention is placed in another. For example if all you do is fulfill your fun need, then
your need for power and achievement may be ignored, creating difficulties. I think that this
concept will create for some difficulties in life but the model disregards difficulties that stem
from external forces such as a natural disaster or being fired. Difficulties can arise from a
number of things other than self-conflict with your five basic needs.
3. This theory fits okay with my concept of if people learn to understand mistakes are ok
then they would achieve a greater sense of wellness. They do not view setbacks and suffering
as an inevitable part of life, but rather as an early warning sign that they need to look at their
behavior and relationships and make better choices (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 343).
The theory suggests that acting, thinking, feeling, and physiology are a part of ones total
behavior. These four components work together and if one is affected all are. Sometimes
mistakes are made but that is okay because we can use our total behavior to correct it.
4. Reality theory outlines the items needed for change in the WDEP system. The acronym
WDEP stands for wants, direction and doing, evaluation, and planning. For change you need to
establish your wanted outcome and focus on what you are doing. Then clients evaluate their
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goals and set up a plan that is simple, attainable, and measureable. Dr. Mary Graham said that
she spends as much time as the client needs on a certain area and does not rush through the steps.
This system has proven quite effective. Since this theory is focused on the present, future, and
behavior I can see how this system produces quick results.
5. In this theory a happy healthy functioning individual is one who is successful in meeting
their five basic needs. They have a clear and positive sense of themselves they do not derive
their sense of themselves from the perceptions of others (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p.
343). Although most humans arent aware of their five basic needs, I do agree that if one is not
met that they will not be as happy or healthy as they could be.
6. In reality therapy the clinician shares their perceptions and uses self-disclosure often.
They present their knowledge of reality therapy and have open dialogue with their client. Ideally
they are attentive, optimistic, and authentic, which I think are necessary characteristics of any
counselor.
7. The client-counselor relationship can be seen as a team that is committed to the clients
success. They go through the WDEP system and formulate realistic plans together. Although
the text doesnt describe this relationship as collaborative I would define it as such. I think that a
strong collaborative relationship is key in gaining the clients trust and for improvement.
8. Although it is titled reality therapy, this theory can be seen as a cognitive-behavioral
approach because it emphasizes both the clients thought processes and their actions. It focuses
on actions because that is the most readily changed. I agree that both thoughts and actions are
necessary in understanding the clients health and dysfunction.



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Name: Lyndsey Hepworth Whats your theory # 10
Date: 3/12/2012 Theory: Solution-Focused Therapy

1. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is an approach geared toward finding solutions
to present problems. It assumes that peoples complaints stem from their view of the world,
everyone has the ability to resolve their difficulties, there is no one correct way to view the
world, and that change is constant (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 362). This approach
describes more of the nature of the world than of people. I would argue that SFBT clinicians
would consider people to be hopeful, optimistic, and capable of change. This theory doesnt
consider every part of their client, such as their background and environment. With that being
said I think it is lacking some key characteristics of the nature of people including their basic
needs and need for relationships.
2. This approach believes that clients face difficulties because of continuous unsuccessful
behavior or failing to take necessary action. Clients believe that what they are doing is the right
way so they continue in their behavior even though it is not successful. Clinicians use
techniques such as the Miracle question to give them light to changing their situation. Again I
think this framework is limited. It believes that problems stem from a lack of or faulty behavior
and fails to consider external pressures and background as possible roots.
3. This theory fits well with my idea if people learn to understand mistakes are okay then
they would achieve a greater sense of wellness. Solution-Focused theory sees all difficulties as
problems in behavior that can be changed. Although these problems are not labeled mistakes
they can be seen as an error or mistake in behavior for your desired outcome. I agree that
mistakes or problems in current behavior are made, but can be resolved.
4. For people to change in this theory it is necessary for them to reflect on their life and
figure out where they want to make changes. This does not have to be done explicitly but they
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need to be able to open up and share with their counselor where they are experiencing problems.
Once they have identified a solvable complaint, goals are set, and strategic tasks are assigned. It
takes an active effort of the client to make progress. I enjoy the that the client is active and is
accountable for their progress, in the end they will benefit more from this approach than
someone telling them what and how to do something.
5. The text doesnt describe a happy healthy functioning individual for this theory, but I
think this person would be happy with their how they handle situations and generally happy with
every arena in their life. They would not feel compelled to change anything. Doesnt that sound
nice? I would agree that most strive for this attainment.
6. The role of the counselor is to promote change by suggesting solutions and with the help
of the client creating specific interventions. They often use metaphorical stories so that the client
can imagine a different scenario. They act as role models and use many techniques including
empathy and open questions. For this theory I think this is a perfect model for the counselor. I
enjoy the open questions, stories, and the miracle question. It is my thought that this would be a
good theory to practice with children.
7. The client-counselor relationship is a collaborative one that emphasizes client
involvement. It maximizes client involvement to empower people and enhance their
commitment to change (Seligman & Reichenberg, 2010, p. 366). Both are committed to finding
a solution, creating a plan, and either implementing or holding the client accountable. I agree
with the collaborative therapeutic alliance and think it is necessary for this type of therapy.
8. Solution-Focused Brief Therapy emphasizes actions or behavior. While I think that
thoughts is the most important when trying to understand the clients health and dysfunction,
behavior is also very important, especially in immediate change.
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References
Seligman, L., & Reichenberg, L. W. (2010). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: Systems,
strategies, and skills (3
rd
ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Publishing.