StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Mental Health Theories and Counselling - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Mental Health Theories and Counselling " highlights that the basic premise of the client-centered theory is that each person has an inherent tendency to develop all capacities to maintain and enhance oneself. Thus the aim of this theory is to bring the client toward self-actualization. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER97.6% of users find it useful
Mental Health Theories and Counselling
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Mental Health Theories and Counselling"

There are many different approaches to mental health counseling such as behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytical, etc. Whether the counseling is done on an individual or group level, in both cases the MHC starts the session with a definite theoretical approach to the case. This is necessary as theories serve as maps that guide the counselor as to the handling of the client. Each theory provides the MHC with direction and goals for the clients and helps in evaluating the effectiveness of counseling. MHCs emphasize the patient’s environment with a comprehensive perspective to treat dysfunction or any pathological condition if necessary. (Hershenson & Strein, 1991) Five different theoretical approaches are psychoanalytic, behavioral, client-centered, cognitive, and affective.

The MHC using this approach assumes the role of being a genuine and empathic friend towards the client sharing experiences and working to build the client's confidence, which in turn helps in positive changes in the client's self-awareness and attitude. This particular approach requires a personal touch that is lacking in many lives in today’s fast-paced world. I gravitate towards this theory as it coincides with my belief that connecting at a personal level is important to nurture the human psyche and is the missing element and cause of many present-day mental health problems. (Vacc and Loesch, 2000)

2. Integrated and eclectic approaches
One common trend in counseling is that of eclectics and integration. That is a combination of methods used to treat the patient depending on his particular requirements. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is a practical approach that combines eclectics and integration. TTM provides an integrative structure to counseling theories. It is developed to combine various aspects of counseling without detaching practice from theory. (Petrocelli, 2002)

TTM is useful in many situations, especially for workplace counseling, youth counseling educational institutions, etc. A major reason for this is that the client has only a limited number of interactions with the MHC who has to treat a variety of problems for which it is necessary to decide the most suitable technique on the spot. The MHC must gather information and associated facts to assess the patient’s mental, emotional, and or behavioral problems or disorders. They work to help the patient efficiently adapt to the distress they face. Furthermore, the first duty of the counselor is to resolve the current issues of the client whom he may refer to a specialist for further treatment if deemed necessary.

3. Strengths and weaknesses
Since individuals are integrated beings, an integrative approach to counseling that involves a combination of cognitive, behavioral, and affective techniques serves them best. Preston (1998) asserts that no single theoretical model can satisfactorily address the wide range of problems that clients present in therapy. He contends that it is essential for counselors to have a fundamental grasp of various remedial models and to have at their disposal several intervention strategies.

There are some major weaknesses of an integrative model, as opposed to the single theory model. A disorderly eclectic approach can be a pretext for failing to develop a sound foundation for systematically adhering to definite concepts and to the techniques they utilize. If therapists merely choose according to whims, their selection is likely to be a reflection of their bias and predetermined ideas. It is imperative to avoid the trap of emerging with a jumble of unsystematic theories thrown hastily together. (Gerald Corey, no date)
Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Wk2 disc(6100) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words”, n.d.)
Wk2 disc(6100) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1555525-wk2-disc6100
(Wk2 disc(6100) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words)
Wk2 disc(6100) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1555525-wk2-disc6100.
“Wk2 disc(6100) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 Words”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/miscellaneous/1555525-wk2-disc6100.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Mental Health Theories and Counselling

Designing a counseling approach

When Frank's illness took a turn for the worse two years ago, Sophia got a home health aide to come in and help her with Frank.... My client is Sophia, a 78-year-old woman who served as a caregiver for her husband, Frank, for the last ten years of his life.... Frank passed away a month ago at the age of 90 from Alzheimer's Disease....
6 Pages (1500 words) Assignment

Counseling Theories Issues

The essay "Counseling theories Issues" analyzes the literature review of the various views on the possible theories of counseling.... Due to the seriousness accorded to counseling and mental depression, this paper will conduct explicit research on at least three practical theories that can be used by counseling psychologists in conducting successful counseling.... Due to ranges that exist in the levels, causes, and resultant effects of stress and mental depression, various theories of counseling have emerged to help psychologists execute perfect counseling illuminated at restoring normalcy in different situations of mental depression....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

The Functions of a Mental Health Counselor

The paper "The Functions of a mental health Counselor" focuses on the critical analysis of developing an understanding of the functions of a professional counselor and the scope of the work undertaken by him or her in this capacity.... The interview findings reveal that mental health counselors work in the broad domain of social service.... A routine day for Eeds does not just involve meeting clients and conducting counseling sessions, it also involves dealing with paperwork, insurance-related issues, billing and constantly educating and updating oneself on new techniques and theories....
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

The Work of a Mental Health Counselor

The paper "The Work of a mental health Counselor " describes that (MHC) it is work with people, households, and teams to deal with and cure psychological and emotional disorders which include nervousness, suicidal desires, sadness, substance misuse, stress, ordeal, low self-respect, and sorrow.... Suicide; challenges with own esteem; and matters related to aging and psychological and emotional welfare' ('mental health Counselors').... According to B William, another mental health Counselor stated that a few clients are ready to agree to their challenge and actively look to bear with it or win it....
8 Pages (2000 words) Assignment

Person-centred counselling

In the paper 'Person-centred counselling' the author analyzes person-centred approach to counselling, which has its origins in the works of American psychologist Carl Rogers.... The author states that the central idea underlining the person-centred counselling is that the person should be trusted to fund his own way out, while the therapist is the companion who encourages the relationship in which person feels safe.... One of the most important principles of person-centred counselling is the presentation of the client as the expert (Arnason 2001, 299)....
7 Pages (1750 words) Essay

Body language within the counselling forum and its implications

Recognising that positive mental health among the population is.... he counselling profession for exceptional mental health needs shows an emerging trend on a global scale which has given shape to international counselling (Hohenshil 2010 p.... Whatever the politics of a region, the positive mental health is a priceless social and economic asset (Hohenshil 2010 p 3).... It has reached a global perspective and is now known as international counselling....
20 Pages (5000 words) Thesis

Role and the Life of a Mental Health Counsellor

"Role and the Life of a mental health Counsellor" paper develops an understanding of the functions of professional counselors and the scope of the work undertaken by him or her in this capacity.... The interview findings reveal that mental health counselors work in the broad domain of social service.... A routine day for Eeds does not just involve meeting clients and conducting counseling sessions, it also involves dealing with paperwork, insurance-related issues, billing and constantly educating and updating oneself on new techniques and theories....
8 Pages (2000 words) Coursework

Two Models of Counselling

The paper "Two Models of counselling" states that rational emotive behaviour therapy involves the therapist assuming a directive role and providing assistance to the client.... There are different counselling approaches which can be utilised in achieving the best results from a counselling session, consequently minimising the time taken to gain these results.... This is commonly utilised on individuals suffering from psychological dysfunctions and mental illnesses....
8 Pages (2000 words) Coursework
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us