The purpose of the Theory of Counselling paper is to give students an opportunity to develop, personalize, and critique their own theory of counselling. They will be required to revise this paper as part of the requirements for the Comprehensive Examination. Students will write a 15 page paper in APA format describing and reflecting on their theory of counselling, addressing each of the points listed below:
Theory of Counselling
1) What is the overall purpose or guiding metaphor for the therapy? What does the model suggest about the goals of counselling?
2)Whatare the central assumptions about human nature/experience contained in the theory? (Centre Point 1)
3) What is the theory of change: What constitutes distress/problems (Centre Point 2) and how are they resolved (Centre Point 3)?
4) To what extent is the theory oriented to mental processes, social interactions, and broader social-cultural-historical contexts?
5) How does the theory take into account social injustice and other forms of adversity?
6) What does the theory say about the relationship between the client and the therapist? For example, how does the theory address the question of how therapists use their expertise and social power?
7) To what extent does the theory address diversity?
Associated Practices
1) What does the therapist working from this perspective look for? What does the therapist choose to notice and ignore?
2) How does the therapist working from this perspective develop hypotheses and conceptualize treatment?
3) What central practices (interventions) are congruent with the theory? How does the therapist use them in service of the overall purpose or guiding metaphor?
4) How is treatment from this perspective structured and sequenced? What is the role of the therapist?
5) How is progress evaluated?
Critical Analysis
1) What is unique about the theory and its associated practices?
2) Do you the student experience any personal discomfort with the model? If so, how might you deal with that?
3) What are the limitations of your model?
4) What does critical analysis and research regarding similar theories and practices suggest about the ethics and efficacy of the theory and its associated practices?
5) What are your hopes for additional learning based on your theory?
Students must include at least ten scholarly sources other than their textbooks and required readings. At least two of these sources must be primary sources, i.e., authored by the originator of the model. For example, if students were to write about the influence of Gestalt therapy in their theory of counselling, they might include work by Fritz Perls.
Components % of Grade
Organization and coherence XXXXXXXXXX%
Evidence and support XXXXXXXXXX%
Analysis and use of course concepts 25%
APA Style and mechanics XXXXXXXXXX%
TOTAL XXXXXXXXXX100%