Introduction to important Schools of Counselling

1. Introduction to important
Schools of Counselling
Schools of Counselling
Prepared by Dr.Evangeline J

2. Introduction - Schools of Counselling
Counseling is about creating strong relationships with your clients that will empower them to obtain
mental health and to fulfill their goals.
Through the use of intentional counseling techniques and an understanding of human nature developed
through counseling theories, you can guide your client in reaching optimal mental health.
through counseling theories, you can guide your client in reaching optimal mental health.
Since the end of the 19th Century, when Freud developed his ‘talking’ cure, psychotherapy has become a
burgeoning field in the Western world.

3. Psychoanalytic Counselling
This type of therapy is based upon the theories of Sigmund Freud, who founded the school of thought
known as psychoanalysis.
Freud described the unconscious as the reservoir of desires, thoughts, and memories that are below
the surface of conscious awareness. He believed that these unconscious influences could often lead
Freud described the unconscious as the reservoir of desires, thoughts, and memories that are below
the surface of conscious awareness. He believed that these unconscious influences could often lead
to psychological distress and disturbances.
Psychoanalysis frequently involves looking at early childhood experiences in order to discover how
these events might have shaped the individual and how they contribute to current actions.

4. The History of Psychoanalytic theraphy-The Talking Cure
Freud began developing his therapeutic techniques in the late 1800s. In 1885, he began to study and work
with Jean-Martin Charcot at the Salpêtrière in Paris. Charcot used hypnosis to treat women suffering from
what was then known as hysteria. Symptoms of the illness included partial paralysis, hallucinations, and
nervousness.
Freud continued to research hypnotism in treatment, but his work and friendship with colleague Josef
Breuer led to the development of his most famous therapeutic technique. Breuer described his treatment
of a young woman, known in the case history as Anna O., whose symptoms of hysteria were relieved by
talking about her traumatic experiences.
Freud and Breuer collaborated on a book called Studies on Hysteria and Freud continued to develop his
use of this "talk therapy." This approach proposed that simply talking about problems could help relieve
psychological distress.

5. How does Psychoanalytic theraphy work?
Psychoanalytic therapists generally spend time listening to patients
talk about their lives, which is why this method is often referred to
as "the talking cure." The therapy provider will look for patterns or
as "the talking cure." The therapy provider will look for patterns or
significant events that may play a role in the client's current
difficulties. Psychoanalysts believe that childhood events and
unconscious feelings, thoughts, and motivations play a role in
mental illness and maladaptive behaviors.

6. The Psychoanalytic Process
People undergoing psychoanalytic therapy often meet with their
therapist at least once a week and may remain in therapy for a
number of weeks, months, or even years.
number of weeks, months, or even years.
Through this process, the hope is that people will be able to
gain insight and awareness of the unconscious forces that
contribute to their current mental state.

7. 1. Intensive Treatment - Patients find quite intense talking about their past
experiences, feelings and relationships.While the process can sometimes
result in uneasiness, it can also be a great way to gain insight and deal with
feelings that are difficult to put into words.
2. Dealing with Unconscious Forces - Gaining insight into your feelings,
behaviors, and experiences can help you better understand the unconscious
forces that continue to exert an influence on your actions, your
relationships, and your sense of self.
relationships, and your sense of self.

8. Conditions treated by Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis may be used to treat a number of different psychological conditions, including:
● Obsessive-compulsive disorder
● Depression
● Psychosomatic disorders
● Phobias
● Anxiety
Identity problems
● Identity problems
● Emotion struggles or trauma
● Self-destructive behavior
● Relationship issues
● Sexual problems
People who are likely to benefit from this form of therapy are often those who have been experiencing
symptoms for some time. People might choose psychoanalytic therapy when they have long-term
symptoms of anxiety, depressed mood, and behaviors that have a negative impact on functioning and
enjoyment of life.

9. GESTALT COUNSELLING
Gestalt therapy refers to a form of psychotherapy that derives from the gestalt school of thought.
Developed in the late 1940s by Fritz Perls, gestalt therapy is guided by the relational theory
principle that every individual is a whole (mind, body and soul) and that they are best understood
in relation to their current situation as he/she experiences it.
The approach combines this relational theory with present state - focusing strongly on self-
The approach combines this relational theory with present state - focusing strongly on self-
awareness and the ‘here and now’ (what is happening from one moment to the next).
In gestalt therapy, self-awareness is key to personal growth and developing full potential.
The approach recognises that sometimes this self-awareness can become blocked by negative
thought patterns and behaviours that can leave people feeling dissatisfied and unhappy.

10. Keyconcepts of Gestalt Counselling
Person-centred awareness -that does not involve seeking out the unconscious, but staying with what is present and being aware.
Respect-Clients, whether an individual, group or family, are treated with profound respect by a gestalt therapist.
Emphasis on experience-The gestalt approach focuses on experience in terms of a person’s emotions, perceptions, behaviours, body
sensations, ideas and memories
Creative experiment and discovery -There is a range of experimental methodology used by therapists to test their client’s
experience. These involve highly creative and flexible techniques to help them open up and acknowledge hidden feelings.
Social responsibility - The gestalt approach recognises that humans have a social responsibility for the self and for others.
Relationship