Week 2: Humanistic/Existential Theories Introduction Consider your thoughts about the following statements: · People are generally good, trustworthy, productive, and able to make positive changes. · The responsibility for change and growth lies with the client. · We should focus on the "here and now," not so much on the "then and there." These statements reflect humanistic and existential theories developed by theorists such as Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Victor Frankl, and Fritz Perlz. This week, you explore the key components of humanistic and existential theories. You are also introduced to Deidre, a client depicted in media throughout several weeks of this course. Each week that Deidre’s case is presented, you will use theories to propose effective interventions that could help her to reach her goals. Objectives Students will: Apply humanistic/existential interventions · Evaluate humanistic/existential theories · Apply concepts related to humanistic/existential theories Please proceed to the Resources. Week 2 Discussion Applying Humanistic and Existential Theories A common element of this week’s theories is the focus on client emotion. The central tenet of these theories is that clients are at the center of the counseling process. When counselors use these approaches, they ask clients to not only assess their emotions, but also how they perceive these emotions to influence their lives. During this process, counselors who often use humanistic and existential approaches partner alongside the client as a nonjudgmental ally, prompting the clients to reconnect with themselves and increase their own self-awareness. Theorists in these paradigms believe that it is not the interpretation of the counselor that helps clients, but rather the interpretation of the clients themselves. In fact, prominent humanistic and existential theorists cast aside the dominant, all-knowing presence of the counselor illustrated by some behavioral and psychoanalytic approaches. In this Discussion, you consider how each of this week’s theories, existential, person-centered, and Gestalt, provides a different counseling approach. You also reflect upon how theoretical approaches influence the interventions that you might employ with your case study client, Deidre. Before watching the  Deidre  media, review this week’s Learning Resources to review how the Capuzzi and Gross text used each theoretical approach with the client in “The Case of Maria.” Posting Directions:  In the subject line of your post, use the following title format: “Title of Discussion: The theory you selected for this Discussion.” Your initial post must be at least 200 words in length. Post by Day 3  a brief description of the  humanistic or existential  theory you selected. Then, based on this theoretical approach, describe two interventions you could employ with Deidre and explain why. Finally, explain how each of these interventions would help Deidre move toward her goals. DU.

1. Week 2: Humanistic/Existential Theories
Introduction
Consider your thoughts about the following statements:
·
People are generally good, trustworthy, productive, and able to
make positive changes.
·
The responsibility for change and growth lies with the client.
·
We should focus on the "here and now," not so much on the
"then and there."
These statements reflect humanistic and existential theories
developed by theorists such as Carl Rogers, Rollo May, Victor
Frankl, and Fritz Perlz. This week, you explore the key
components of humanistic and existential theories. You are also
introduced to Deidre, a client depicted in media throughout
several weeks of this course. Each week that Deidre’s case is
presented, you will use theories to propose effective
interventions that could help her to reach her goals.
Objectives
Students will: Apply humanistic/existential interventions
·

2. Evaluate humanistic/existential theories
·
Apply concepts related to humanistic/existential theories
Please proceed to the Resources.
Week 2 Discussion
Applying Humanistic and Existential Theories
A common element of this week’s theories is the focus on client
emotion.
The central tenet of these theories is that clients are at the
center of the counseling process. When counselors use these
approaches, they ask clients to not only assess their emotions,
but also how they perceive these emotions to influence their
lives.
During this process, counselors who often use humanistic and
existential approaches partner alongside the client as a
nonjudgmental ally, prompting the clients to reconnect with
themselves and increase their own self-awareness. Theorists in
these paradigms believe that it is not the interpretation of the
counselor that helps clients, but rather the interpretation of the
clients themselves. In fact, prominent humanistic and existential
theorists cast aside the dominant, all-knowing presence of the
counselor illustrated by some behavioral and psychoanalytic
approaches.

3. In this Discussion, you consider how each of this week’s
theories, existential, person-centered, and Gestalt, provides a
different counseling approach. You also reflect upon how
theoretical approaches influence the interventions that you
might employ with your case study client, Deidre. Before
watching the
Deidre
media, review this week’s Learning Resources to review how
the Capuzzi and Gross text used each theoretical approach with
the client in “The Case of Maria.”
Posting Directions:
In the subject line of your post, use the following title format:
“Title of Discussion: The theory you selected for this
Discussion.” Your initial post must be at least 200 words in
length.
Post by Day 3
a brief description of the
humanistic or existential
theory you selected. Then, based on this theoretical approach,
describe two interventions you could employ with Deidre and
explain why. Finally, explain how each of these interventions
would help Deidre move toward her goals.
DUE BY 12/9/15 @ 5PM Eastern Standard Time
Week 2 Learning Resources
This page contains the Learning Resources for this week. Be
sure to scroll down the page to see all of this week's assigned
Learning Resources.

4. Required Resources
Readings
·
Capuzzi, D., & Gross, D. R. (Ed.). (2011).
Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions
(5th ed.). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
o
Chapter 6, “Existential Theory” (pp. 119–142)
o
Chapter 7, “Person-Centered Theory” (pp. 143–166)
o
Chapter 8, “Gestalt Theory” (pp. 167–191)
Media
·
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012).
Deidre
[Multimedia].
Baltimore, MD: Author.
Note
: Please click on the following link for the transcript:
Transcript (PDF)

5. Optional Resources
·
Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy. (2012).
Retrieved from
http://www.aagt.org/
·
Association for the Development of the Person Centered
Approach. (2011). Retrieved from
http://www.adpca.org/
·
Association for Humanistic Psychology. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.ahpweb.org/
·
Existential-Humanistic Institute. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.ehinstitute.org/
·
World Association for Person Centered and Experiential
Psychotherapy and Counseling. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.pce-world.org/
Please proceed to the Discussion.
Return to top

6. THIS IS A QUIZ DUE BY 12/12/
[email protected]
5pm EASTERN STANDARD TIME
QUESTION 1
1.
In order to be genuine, counselors:
[removed]
a.
Have to practice using a “poker face”
[removed]
b.
Have to know themselves
[removed]
c.
Must use reflections of feeling
[removed]
d.
Should avoid analysis of transference
2 points
QUESTION 2
1.
Heidegger's notions of choice, that each choice one makes
represents the loss of an alternative, includes all of the
following except:

7. [removed]
a.
The past becomes important in terms of lost opportunities.
[removed]
b.
Future choices are limited due to past choices and the time
remaining to fulfill them.
[removed]
c.
We have the freedom to choose but must balance this with
responsibility.
[removed]
d.
Some choices are irrational and we need to train ourselves not
to make them with rewards and punishments.
2 points
QUESTION 3
1.
Consider a client who feels that he is unlikable by others in his
life. When the counseling discussion turns to how likeable the
client is to the counselor or therapist, this is an example of:
[removed]
a.
Distracting the client
[removed]
b.
Empathic understanding
[removed]
c.
Immediacy
[removed]

8. d.
Self-actualization
2 points
QUESTION 4
1.
The three people credited for the development of Gestalt
therapy are:
[removed]
a.
Perls, Burber, and Nitche
[removed]
b.
Perls, Perls, and Goodman
[removed]
c.
Rogers, Glassman, and Goodman
[removed]
d.
Perls, Kohler, and Koffka
2 points
QUESTION 5
1.
As a person becomes more congruent, which of the following
changes is most likely to be seen?
[removed]
a.

9. Elimination of negative thoughts
[removed]
b.
Eradication of problem behaviors
[removed]
c.
Greater self-empowerment
[removed]
d.
Success in a failing relationship
2 points
QUESTION 6
1.
All of the following are existential philosophers except:
[removed]
a.
Sartre
[removed]
b.
Heidegger
[removed]
c.
Tillich
[removed]
d.
Bion
2 points
QUESTION 7

10. 1.
Accurate _______ means that the counselor is able to both
understand the client's words, feelings, and perceptions of the
world and communicate that understanding successfully.
[removed]
a.
empathy
[removed]
b.
congruence
[removed]
c.
unconditional positive regard
[removed]
d.
genuineness
2 points
QUESTION 8
1.
In existential counseling, the client is
[removed]
a.
An existential partner with the counselor
[removed]
b.
A student learning from a teacher
[removed]
c.
Analyzed by the counselor

11. [removed]
d.
None of the above
2 points
QUESTION 9
1.
Which of the following is descriptive of what “closure” means
in existential counseling?
[removed]
a.
Facing the end of the helping relationship is the final
confrontation with reality.
[removed]
b.
It means stopping therapy at the end of the semester at a
counseling center.
[removed]
c.
It is when counselors close out all of their files.
[removed]
d.
It is a relatively unimportant part of counseling.
2 points
QUESTION 10

12. 1.
According to person-centered theory, for someone to be
continuously believed and trusted by a client they must:
[removed]
a.
years of professional experience
[removed]
b.
be genuine
[removed]
c.
know the right questions to ask
[removed]
d.
not make mistakes
2 points
QUESTION 11
1.
A criticism of person-centered counseling or therapy is:
[removed]
a.
Its deterministic stance
[removed]
b.
Rigid steps in the counseling or therapy process
[removed]
c.
Too few specifics regarding actions for the new counselor or
therapist

13. [removed]
d.
Overly confrontational
2 points
QUESTION 12
1.
Perls:
[removed]
a.
Had a passionate belief in the holistic nature of humankind
[removed]
b.
Believed that human beings had the capacity and strength to
grow, develop, and to become the persons that they desired
[removed]
c.
Asked clients to focus on why they behaved in certain ways
[removed]
d.
Both "a" and "b" above
2 points
QUESTION 13
1.
The word Gestalt is a German term that means:
[removed]
a.

14. Counselor/client working alliance
[removed]
b.
Existential anxiety
[removed]
c.
The integration of parts into a perceptual whole
[removed]
d.
The phenomenological field
2 points
QUESTION 14
1.
Active listening includes which of the following?
[removed]
a.
Making good eye contact
[removed]
b.
Leaning toward the client
[removed]
c.
Facing the client
[removed]
d.
All of the above
2 points
QUESTION 15

15. 1.
The study of human experience through attending to the
subjective observations of individuals is:
[removed]
a.
Retroflection
[removed]
b.
Empty chair
[removed]
c.
Boundary disturbance
[removed]
d.
Phenomenology
2 points
QUESTION 16
1.
The most important factor in the therapeutic alliance is the:
[removed]
a.
Quality and nature of the relationship between counselor or
therapist and client
[removed]
b.
Counselor's or therapist's skills
[removed]

16. c.
Client's willingness to work hard
[removed]
d.
Depth of the problems being experienced
2 points
QUESTION 17
1.
A phenomenological perspective:
[removed]
a.
Describes the concept that all persons view the world in a
similar manner
[removed]
b.
Describes the concept that all persons have a unique perspective
[removed]
c.
Describes the concept of the “I-Thou” relationship
[removed]
d.
None of the above
2 points
QUESTION 18
1.
Which of the following is not one of the three approaches to
existential counseling?

17. [removed]
a.
Dynamic existentialism
[removed]
b.
Humanistic existentialism
[removed]
c.
Cognitive/behavioral existentialism
[removed]
d.
Transpersonal existentialism
2 points
QUESTION 19
1.
Which of the following is not a goal of existential counseling:
[removed]
a.
Confronting anxieties about the givens of existence
[removed]
b.
Developing meaning from everyday life
[removed]
c.
Confronting irrational thoughts that lead to difficult emotions
[removed]

18. d.
Developing inner strength
2 points
QUESTION 20
1.
One of the views that Gestalt theory holds regarding the
individual is that he or she is:
[removed]
a.
Fully responsible for his/her behavior
[removed]
b.
Shaped by forces in the environment
[removed]
c.
Motivated by unconscious drives
[removed]
d.
Not able to become aware of himself or herself in the here and
now
2 points
QUESTION 21
1.
The founder of person-centered counseling is:
[removed]
a.

19. Carl Rogers
[removed]
b.
Victor Frankl
[removed]
c.
Fritz Perls
[removed]
d.
Rollo May
2 points
QUESTION 22
1.
Which of the following are major constructs of existentialism?
[removed]
a.
Death
[removed]
b.
Freedom
[removed]
c.
Isolation
[removed]
d.
All of the above
2 points
QUESTION 23

20. 1.
Which statement is most descriptive of Buber's "I-Thou "
relationship?
[removed]
a.
People speak about others, but seldom to them.
[removed]
b.
This relationship embodies a holy respect for the other person.
[removed]
c.
This relationship has little meaning, because there is little sense
of self.
[removed]
d.
It shows a relationship that is condescending and not respectful.
2 points
QUESTION 24
1.
Awareness is the key to Gestalt therapy. Through awareness, the
organism/person naturally proceeds toward:
[removed]
a.
Growth
[removed]
b.
Integration
[removed]
c.

21. Differentiated unity
[removed]
d.
All of the above
2 points
QUESTION 25
1.
Change during Gestalt counseling and psychotherapy comes
about as clients become more aware of themselves through:
[removed]
a.
Using a continuum of awareness focused on how, what, and
where
[removed]
b.
Using questions rather than statements
[removed]
c.
Using the third-person pronoun “they”
[removed]
d.
Addressing others indirectly
2 points
DUE BY 12/12/15 @ 5 pm EASTERN STANDARD
TIME