Wk 3: Counselling Theories Flashcards
(45 cards)
What is the main belief of Psychoanalysis?
Human behavior is governed by unconscious processes like sexual and aggressive instincts, and emotional or behavioral problems stem from unresolved psychosexual conflicts.
Who is the key theorist behind Psychoanalysis?
Sigmund Freud.
What are the goals of Psychoanalysis?
To help clients gain insight into their unconscious processes, relive and reconstruct childhood experiences, and rebuild their personality.
What are the 3 parts of the mind in Freud’s model?
ID: Impulsive desires (e.g., “I want it now!”).
EGO: Rational mediator (e.g., “Maybe we need to think this through”).
SUPEREGO: Conscience (e.g., “You can’t do that, it’s not right”)
Can you give an example of the ID, Ego, and Superego in action?
At Shoppers, you want a makeup product but have no money:
ID: Steal the product.
- devil
EGO: Thinks about stealing but decides to work extra shifts to afford it.
- you
SUPEREGO: Realizes food is more important than makeup.
- angel
What is the Psychosexual Stages of Development theory?
Freud’s theory posits that children pass through five stages during childhood each focused on a specific body part. Unresolved conflicts in these stages shape adult personality and behavior.
What are the five stages?
Oral (1st year)
Anal (1-3 years)
Phallic (3-5 years)
Latency (5-puberty)
Genital (puberty onward)
What happens during the Oral Stage (1st year)?
Focus on the mouth (sucking, biting). Conflict is weaning.
Fixation may lead to behaviors like smoking, overeating, or excessive talking.
What happens during the Anal Stage (1-3 years)?
Focus on the anus (toilet training). Conflict is control over bodily functions.
Fixation can lead to anal-retentive (neat, controlling) or anal-expulsive (messy, disorganized) traits.
What happens during the Phallic Stage (3-5 years)?
Focus on the genitals. Conflict involves the Oedipus/Electra complex (attraction to the opposite-sex parent).
Fixation may lead to issues with authority or relationships.
What happens during the Latency Stage (5-puberty)?
Sexual feelings are dormant. Focus is on developing social skills, friendships, and hobbies.
Little to no fixation occurs.
What happens during the Genital Stage (puberty onward)?
Focus on mature sexual relationships. Conflict is forming healthy, intimate relationships.
Resolution of earlier stages leads to healthy adult functioning.
What is fixation, and how does it affect adulthood?
If a stage’s conflict isn’t resolved, the person may become fixated at that stage, leading to behaviors that reflect that stage (e.g., oral fixations like smoking, or anal traits like being overly neat or messy).
What is the Decisional Framework in counselling?
It’s a structured 5-stage model used to help clients make decisions by clarifying the problem, exploring alternatives, and choosing a course of action.
What are the 5 stages of the Decisional Framework?
Define the Problem – Identify the issue.
Generate Alternatives – Brainstorm possible solutions.
Decide on an Action – Choose the best option.
Take Action – Implement the chosen solution.
Evaluate the Outcome – Assess the effectiveness of the decision.
What is the main focus of Decisional Counselling?
It’s solution-focused and pragmatic. The counselor helps the client reflect on how their feelings impact their decisions, and practical tools like a decisional balance sheet or journal can be used.
How do emotions play a role in the Decisional Framework?
Feelings are central. Understanding how emotions influence decision-making helps the client gain insight into their choices and actions.
What is the main belief behind Person-Centered Counselling?
The individual determines their own path toward self-actualization.
The patient has the coping strategies & answers -> act as a facilitator so they can reach a realization/solution on their own (“Aha” moments)
Who is the key theorist of Person-Centered Counselling?
Carl Rogers.
What are the key goals of person-centred therapy?
To foster self-acceptance and self-actualization in the client.
What are the core concepts of Person-Centered Counselling?
Genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathy.
Self-understanding and self-concept.
The person is inherently good, and the counselor acts as a facilitator rather than an authority.
Can you explain the difference between self-image and ideal self?
Self-image is how we see ourselves.
Ideal self is how we want to be.
If there’s a mismatch (e.g., weight after childbirth), this can lead to incongruence.
True or false: Congruence occurs when your self-image aligns with your ideal self.
True
What is the premise of Gestalt Therapy?
People are constantly evolving, and self-acceptance is key. The answers to their problems are within them.
