Analyzing Theories
Analyzing Counseling Theories
Part 1: Chart Theory 1: Existential Theory Theory 2: Gestalt Theory
Background Theory
• Arose from the philosophic roots of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Camus, and Sarte
• Gained an audience within the post WWII European community
• Philosophers of this period developed a perspective reflecting the realities of their harsh existence
• People saw death as the core even permeating their existence based in reality
• Kierkegaard perused scientific truth from the landscape of the human perspective
• Kierkegaard believed our greater problems were due to a lack of passion, love, and commitment
• Kierkegaard was convinced that the goal of pure objectivity was not only unattainable, but was also undesirable and immoral
• Kierkegaard had the revelation that, unless science is examined in a rational context, truth is not possible
• Heidegger believed theories and humans were imperfect, and an objective reality was not reality at all
• Existence is only understood
• Heidegger’s idea that each choice represents the loss of an alternative. The past becomes important in terms of lost opportunity. Freedom to choose, but balance with responsibility
• All existentialists have a deep respect for the individual struggle “to be”
• The third force of counseling arose as an answer to the limitations of the Freudian and behaviorist approaches
• Positive aspects of a humanistic approach were missing from Freudian and behavioral theories
• Humanism was the initial paradigm
• Existentialism built on the respect for the individual and added the dimensions of ontology, experiential awareness, and responsibility
• Has roots in contemporary religious thought
• Evolved to an approach helping people cope with the uncertainty and complex pressures of their lives • Fritz Perls (born in 1893 and received medical degree in 1920) is generally credited for being the foremost practitioner.
• Fritz methods were influenced by Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang
Part 1: Chart Theory 1: Existential Theory Theory 2: Gestalt Theory
Background Theory
• Arose from the philosophic roots of Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Camus, and Sarte
• Gained an audience within the post WWII European community
• Philosophers of this period developed a perspective reflecting the realities of their harsh existence
• People saw death as the core even permeating their existence based in reality
• Kierkegaard perused scientific truth from the landscape of the human perspective
• Kierkegaard believed our greater problems were due to a lack of passion, love, and commitment
• Kierkegaard was convinced that the goal of pure objectivity was not only unattainable, but was also undesirable and immoral
• Kierkegaard had the revelation that, unless science is examined in a rational context, truth is not possible
• Heidegger believed theories and humans were imperfect, and an objective reality was not reality at all
• Existence is only understood
• Heidegger’s idea that each choice represents the loss of an alternative. The past becomes important in terms of lost opportunity. Freedom to choose, but balance with responsibility
• All existentialists have a deep respect for the individual struggle “to be”
• The third force of counseling arose as an answer to the limitations of the Freudian and behaviorist approaches
• Positive aspects of a humanistic approach were missing from Freudian and behavioral theories
• Humanism was the initial paradigm
• Existentialism built on the respect for the individual and added the dimensions of ontology, experiential awareness, and responsibility
• Has roots in contemporary religious thought
• Evolved to an approach helping people cope with the uncertainty and complex pressures of their lives • Fritz Perls (born in 1893 and received medical degree in 1920) is generally credited for being the foremost practitioner.
• Fritz methods were influenced by Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang