Fathers and Mothers of Counseling
Fathers and Mothers of Counseling:
Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis and Natalie Rogers
Tracie Clark
Bellevue University
June 23, 2013
Abstract
This research paper focuses of the Fathers and Mothers of Counseling: Sigmund Freud, Alfred
Adler, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis and Natalie Rogers. The contributions to the development of the field of the counseling profession will be discussed. We will also discover if these contributions have evolved into another approach and if the theories are still being used today and how they shape our world in the counseling environment.
The first “Father of Counseling” that will be discussed is Sigmund Freud. We will then
touch base on Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis and conclude with Natalie Rogers. Freud
was known for his method of psychology that focuses on unconscious factors that motivate
behavior. According to Freud, our behavior is determined by irrational forces, unconscious
motivations, and biological and instinctual drives as these evolve through key psychosexual
stages in the first six years of life. The Personality is consisted of three systems: The Id, which is
the biological component, the ego, which is the psychological component and the superego,
which represents the social component. Freud’s greatest contributions are his concepts of the
unconscious and the levels of consciousness, which are the keys to understanding behavior and
the problems of personality. Also essential to the psychoanalytic approach is its concept of
anxiety. There are three kinds of anxiety: reality, neurotic and moral. When the ego cannot
control anxiety by rational and direct methods, it relies on indirect ones namely ego-defense
behavior. Freud postulated three stages of development that is often the driving force in people
coming to counseling. The oral stage is first and it’s the fear of loving and forming close
Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis and Natalie Rogers
Tracie Clark
Bellevue University
June 23, 2013
Abstract
This research paper focuses of the Fathers and Mothers of Counseling: Sigmund Freud, Alfred
Adler, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis and Natalie Rogers. The contributions to the development of the field of the counseling profession will be discussed. We will also discover if these contributions have evolved into another approach and if the theories are still being used today and how they shape our world in the counseling environment.
The first “Father of Counseling” that will be discussed is Sigmund Freud. We will then
touch base on Alfred Adler, Carl Rogers, Albert Ellis and conclude with Natalie Rogers. Freud
was known for his method of psychology that focuses on unconscious factors that motivate
behavior. According to Freud, our behavior is determined by irrational forces, unconscious
motivations, and biological and instinctual drives as these evolve through key psychosexual
stages in the first six years of life. The Personality is consisted of three systems: The Id, which is
the biological component, the ego, which is the psychological component and the superego,
which represents the social component. Freud’s greatest contributions are his concepts of the
unconscious and the levels of consciousness, which are the keys to understanding behavior and
the problems of personality. Also essential to the psychoanalytic approach is its concept of
anxiety. There are three kinds of anxiety: reality, neurotic and moral. When the ego cannot
control anxiety by rational and direct methods, it relies on indirect ones namely ego-defense
behavior. Freud postulated three stages of development that is often the driving force in people
coming to counseling. The oral stage is first and it’s the fear of loving and forming close
References: CARLSON, J. D., & ENGLAR-CARLSON, M (2008). Adlerian therapy. In J. Frew & M. D. Spiegler (Eds.), Contemporary psychotherapies for a diverse world (pp 93-140) Carlson, J., & Kjos, D. (2000). Person centered therapy with Dr. Natalie Rogers [Videotape]. Boston: Allyn & Bacon. COREY, G. (2008). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (8th ed.) (pp 9, 61,62, 65, 66, 98, 99, 165, 166, 167, 275 & 277). Doyle, K. A. (2011). Albert ellis and rational emotive behavior therapy: A personal reflection. Journal of Rational – Emotive & Cognitive - Behavior Therapy, 29(4), 207-210 Rogers, N. ( 1993). The creative connection: Expressive arts as healing. New York: Science & Behavior Books. Sommers-Flanagan, J. (2007). The development and evolution of person-centered expressive art therapy: A conversation with natalie rogers. Journal of Counseling and Development : JCD, 85(1), 120-125