Counseling is the process of offering methods, ways, and conditions to facilitate an effective living of a client. It is usually done by therapists. According to (Holder, 2013) The three key divisions of counseling psychology are Cognitive Behavior Theory (CBT), humanistic and psychodynamic. Cognitive behavior theory is the first school where the client is a reactive being. Psychodynamic is the second school in which the client reactiveness is in depth. Finally, a Humanistic school which is the third one and in this case the client is in the process of being. Therefore, these three schools of counseling psychology are essential in any counseling process; despite their similarities and differences and should be applied in relation to the client’s issue on hand.
Additionally, one of the core approaches in psychodynamic school is psychoanalysis. In the theory, the benefit of an insentient factor is stressed which causes defective development. The others are self-psychology and analytical therapy. The approach of cognitive behavioral therapy is categorized under behaviorism school. It asserts that behavior is well-read via modeling and conditioning. However, maladaptive behavior is solved by the erudition of adaptive behaviors. CBR is divided into three therapy types which include: cognitive therapy, behavior therapy and “rational emotive behavior therapy” (REBT).
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Moreover, the humanistic therapy category avails person-centered therapy, reality therapy, and others. In this theory, it is believed that human beings have a symbolizing tendency to try and achieve their complete potential. This theory highlights the role of excessive socialization in inhibiting individuals to recognize themselves and the environment in a proper way, therefore, not achieving their self-actualization . This therapy focuses on the individual’s field so as to aid them to live completely, in situations where perceptions are maladaptive, through applying main conditions of empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard. Various experiences in this therapy expose that different person have a different reality, which is determined by experiences and one perception. This perception is referred to “internal frame of reference”.
Similarities
Cognitive behavior theory and humanistic theory partake a positive outlook on human nature. In this case, the two theory view people as creatures who are not a product of their past failures and hence have a possibility of determining their peculiar future. The cognitive theory approach partakes that behavior change and emotions are influenced by variations in interpretations and beliefs . To add to it, humanistic psychologists have faith to aid all individuals and no one is unable to advance themselves personally.
Cognitive Behavioral therapy and humanistic have a similarity in using reflection skills, summarizing and paraphrasing as well; whereas psychodynamics and humanistic have similarities in actualizing tendency concepts, organism self, and self-concept on personality structure. Also, cognitive behavioral therapy and humanistic have a common relationship concerning client and counselor approach and hence the counselor is congruent. In this case, the psychodynamic approach stresses the medical authority of the client in some ways and therefore, making the counseling process to restrict some individuals. (Freeman et. al, 2013)
Furthermore, Cognitive Behavioral theory and humanistic are based on a sensible aspect of the client by focusing on the current challenges and his or her issues. It aims at saving time so as to make the counseling process as effective as possible without consuming much time during the arguments. Psychodynamic has a time-consuming nature which may act as a restriction to it preferences, although some clients may prefer it in cases where the nature of their issues can only be solved via it. Both Cognitive-Behavioral theory and the humanistic incorporate therapeutic relationship between the client and the counselor.
The approach is used to avail good coping mechanisms between the two parties involved. The well-being of a person is improved through handling disharmony and also psychological agony. Psychodynamics therapy and Cognitive Behavioral therapy have a similarity, in that, they both focus on the client’s actions and behaviors and they also concentrate on establishing their affiliations. It makes the clients comprehend how these aspects influence each other. Through the understanding, the clients may find ways of changing how he or she thinks, which later alters the behavior in general.
Differences
Psychodynamics’ theory applies transference technique in the counseling process while Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioral theory applies therapeutic involvement. The two different approaches are utilized by counseling psychologists in the process of getting the solution to the clients’ problems, however, the counselor should pursue to understand the appropriate methods which will be of help to their clients. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and humanistic vary in terms of the theoretical rationale they apply in the counseling procedure. Humanistic sees the client in a position of being unable to achieve self-actualization in the previous term, while Cognitive Behavioral Therapy views behavior as a learned response. Despite these differences, the counselors have a core goal to determine the best ethical approach to apply since different people have a different response to the counseling patterns. ("Compare and Contrast the three schools of counseling psychology – CBT, Humanistic and Psychodynamic;", 2018 )
Humanistic category views subjective experiences as the core drive to various experiences in an individual life and the developed personality. However, Cognitive Behavioral Theory sees individual involvement as a result of interrelating elements of cognition, behavior, emotion, and physiology. Additionally, it states that the way people behave and feel is facilitated by perceptions and how one structures their experience.
Cognitive Behavioral Theory applies key conditions in counseling to create an effective working alliance, through establishing a good relationship in trust and safety between the counselor and the client. Psychodynamics on the other side concentrates on the hidden aspects and looks deeper to primary childhood experiences to scrutinize unresolved conflicts such as child rapes, violent parents and others. While humanistic emphasizes the real occurrences; the conscious nature.
In addition to this, psychodynamics therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Theory have a core difference in the level of significance towards determining early childhood experiences. Their goal in this process is establishing the sources of maladaptive designs of behavior and thinking. CBT may apply this method to locate the individual problems in terms of their historical background which is not essential in the counseling process. However, psychodynamic therapy applies it to determine the past involvements to exposes the early childhood memory. (Tolin, 2016)
Moreover, the Humanistic approach emphasizes the ability of individuals to achieve self-actualization, which is a positive aspect while Psychodynamics concentrates on the negative side. The negative aspect of psychodynamic implies the nature of deeper analyses of the internal issue and integrates them through the debates of their origin via psychodynamics schools. Also, Psychodynamic therapy has a threat in the situations where the client may develop a dependency on the counselor, while under Cognitive Behavioral therapy has a nature of making the client to adapt independency.
In terms of definition, Humanistic Theory is personally grounded and focuses towards the achievement of self-actualization, Cognitive Behavior Theory which is under behaviorism school asserts that behavior is well-read via modeling and conditioning while one of the core approaches in psychodynamic school is psychoanalysis. In this theory, the benefit of an insentient factor is stressed which causes defective development. Humanistic therapy and psychodynamic therapy goals differ. The psychodynamic theory focuses on understanding individuals experience world issues and also people’s perceptions; resulting in figuring out people’s needs. This approach does not believe in human happiness. However, the Humanistic approach concentrates on self-actualization and one's accountability. Moreover, humanists’ states that one behavior is a free choice and will, while psychodynamics asserts that behavior is achieved by determination. ( Reiter & Chenail, 2017 )
Counseling psychology is an important process toward enabling human beings to solve their problems and challenges. Humanistic, psychodynamic and Cognitive Behavioral Theory are the main schools in counseling psychology. All these approaches have their unique procedure towards tackling individual issues which influence one’s behavior negatively. Counseling process consists of two core parties; the counselor and the client. The main goal of psychological counseling is to make the client achieve the solutions to their issues in the best way possible, through applying ethics and professionalism strategies. The counselor should always choose the approach which best fits his or her clients to effectively facilitate the overall process of counseling. Additionally, in some cases, the counselor could prefer to go for clients’ choice of the therapy approach.
References
Brownyn Holder, J. (2013). What are They? Comparing and Contrasting Three of the Main Counselling Approaches. Retrieved from https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/counsellor-articles/what-are-they-comparing-and-contrasting-the-three-main-counselling-approaches
Compare and Contrast the three schools of counseling psychology – CBT, Humanistic and Psychodynamic; (2018). Retrieved from https://edwardbennettportfolio.wordpress.com/2017/04/27/compare-and-contrast-the-three-schools-of-counselling-psychology-cbt-humanistic-and-psychodynamic/
Freeman, A., et. al. (2013). Comprehensive Handbook of Cognitive Therapy . New York: Springer
Reiter, M., & Chenail, R. (2017). Behavioral, Humanistic_ Existential and Psychodynamics Approaches to Couples Counselling . New York: Routledge.
Tolin, D. (2016). Doing CBT: A Comprehensive Guide to working with Behaviors, thoughts, and Emotions . New York: Guilfold Press.
