Chance Journey Counseling Theory
Laurie Hartlein
Liberty University

Abstract
Throughout life we will all experience trials, heartaches, and discouragement. At some point in our lives we will strive to change the quality of our lives, build healthier relationships, and improve our communication skills. It is my belief that everyone deserves a second chance to build a strong and meaningful life. The journey through life forces us to deal with our past, present, and future. My theory is one of hope and will provide encouragement to focus on feelings and behaviors. The following research will provide an insight into Adlerian and Reality, Cognitive Behavioral, Solution Focused, Person-Centered, Gestalt, REBT, and Existential therapy.
Keywords: journey, chance, encouragement, relationships, communication

Philosophical Assumptions At some point in life everyone wants to feel as though they are truly being heard and understood by others. I believe empathy is at the core of understanding and developing a relationship with the client. Elliott, Bohart, Watson, and Greenberg (2011) re-emphasize Carl Rogers’ definition of empathy as “the therapist’s sensitive ability and willingness to understand the client’s thoughts, feelings and struggles from the client’s point of view” (Elliott, Bohart, Watson, and Greenberg, p44, 2011). Once empathy and a trusting relationship are established the ideas and skills for change and acceptance can be introduced. Change is not always a welcomed entity and often brings about anxiety, stress, and conflict. In my theory I believe that hope, strength, and meaning are the building blocks for change. Artist Mary Engelbreit once said, “If you don’t like something, change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” However, in a therapy session change can only begin to spark with the cooperation and trust of the client. In order to create change, goals must be set and achieved. Meeting a desired goal is the end result that embarks us on a journey for another chance at life’s meaning. In creating a desired goal, specific behaviors and thinking patterns should be addressed. According to Koestner (2008), goals should reflect a person’s interests and values and progress towards the goal should be monitored. Psalm 30:2 states, “O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me” (www.Christnotes.org, 2011). Ecclesiastes 9:11 says, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all” (www.Christnotes.org, 2011). God has not spelled out the number of chances we have in life but he has promised to direct our steps and to never leave us. Proverbs 16:9 says, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. Proverbs 3:5 states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” My theory is called Chance Journey Counseling Theory and I will facilitate the use of the following theories; Adlerian and Reality, Cognitive Behavioral, Solution Focused, Existential, Gestalt, REBT, and Person-Centered Therapy. My approach shows that by focusing on feelings, thinking, and behavior that the journey for change and another chance is within every believer and non-believer’s grasp. According to Jones and Butman (1991) choices and actions heavily dictate people’s lives. God has given us free choice over our lives. Psalm 4:26 reads, “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm” (www.Christnotes.org, 2011). I agree with person-centered therapy that the client should be the main focus of psychotherapy. The “client’s perception of reality” is the base line of therapy (Jones and Butman, p257, 1991).
Model of Personality I believe that man is a product of his or her environment, that relationships and experiences are the building blocks to who we are as individuals. Emphasized in Jones and Butman (1991) are the needs that supposedly shape our behavior. We desire to love and be loved along with establishing our self worth and meaning. In my opinion, people are responsible for the choices they make and the actions taken. Jones and Butman (1991) states “All persons and all organisms act to control their environment to achieve survival and other needs” (Jones and Butman, p 244, 1991). Glasser in the Adlerian and Reality theory stated, “We can never control others, but we are accountable for our own actions of all kinds” (Jones and Butman, p 245, 1991). According to Mansager et al (2002), God is of faith and man acknowledges his life on earth from a subjective view. Mansager (2002) contended that man’s survival is based on work, cooperation, and love. However, anxiety, depression and other issues are brought about by unsuccessful attempts to meet our needs (Jones and Butman, 1991). Existential therapy is also based on a person’s existence. Soren Kierkegaard believed humans were created by God and viewed human existence as being related to “what we are and what we should become” (Jones and Butman, p279, 1991). However, anxiety and despair are often brought on by making choices and becoming aware of our environment (Jones and Butman, 1991). Mullen believed that “anxiety is a necessary part of genuine human life” (Mullen, 1981, p.52). In Person-Centered theory, people are thought to all basically be good in nature. Carl Rogers theorized that self-actualization was the driving force for man. He proposed that we are able to choose in life things that will strengthen us and reject those that may restrict our growth (Jones and Butman, 1991). I believe that our ability to cope depends on our lifestyle.
Model of Health I believe a person’s self concept of health and what is normal in his or her life develops over time and with experiences. The overall definition of health according to Merriam-Webster is having a sound body, mind, and spirit (www.merriam-webster.com, 2011). However, health according to cognitive behavioral therapy is defined by society and a person’s own level of function and stress (Jones and Butman, 1991). Proverbs 14:30 states, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (www.faithandhealthconnection.org, 2011). According to Gestalt therapy, healthy people have goals in sight and do not make excuses but take full responsibility for their choices (Jones and Butman, 1991). Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT) is not religious based but deals closely with rational and irrational thoughts and behaviors. Albert Ellis said, “Men are disturbed not by things, but by the views which they take of them” (Jones and Butman, p173, 1991). I believe a healthy person will have more rational thoughts and behaviors than irrational ones. According to Ellis (2000), therapists are able to combine religion and REBT techniques without creating confining issues. However, whether combined with religion or not, REBT does promote the emotional health of individuals (Ellis, 2000). Kendall-Tackett (2010) states that negative emotions such as anxiety and depression have serious health altering effects on individuals. I believe that if we control and alleviate such behaviors and thoughts that the overall health of humans will improve. It is within our ability to change the way we think about issues, experiences and behaviors. This is a task that often requires the assistance of a therapist or other trained professional. However, by seeking meaning to our lives and structuring our thought patterns I believe we can find the positive and meaningful side to any situation or issue. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose” (Holy Bible, KJV, 1991).
Model of Abnormality In dealing with abnormalities, I agree more with Existential therapy. I think death, trauma, crises, and meaninglessness are at the core of abnormal thoughts and feelings. Such events threaten our ability to stay in touch with our inner selves and remain stable. According to Jones and Butman (1991), anxiety and fear are brought about by our concerns for meaning and significance to life. According to Raczynski and Leviton (2004), stress creates a stimulus response that occurs in relation to changes in environment. Stress is a “nonspecific response of the body to any demand” (Raczynski and Leviton, p234, 2004). The types of stress include life changing events, chronic stress such as low-income status, and daily struggles such as being late for work (Raczynski and Leviton, 2004). Research states that minor stressors are more physically and emotionally challenging than major stressors (Raczynski and Leviton, 2004). Gestalt therapy emphasizes that abnormality exists due to unfinished business or unmet needs in our lives (Jones and Butman, 1991). However, I must also agree with Person-centered therapy in that we create standards for ourselves, create a form of self-love and then upon failure to meet standards self-hate emerges (Jones and Butman, 1991). Adlerian therapy touches on abnormality in a more positive sense. “Adlerians do not see people as psychologically sick, but discouraged” (Watts, p14, 2000). Proverbs 12:25 says, “Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down, but an encouraging word makes it glad” (www.heavensinspirations.com, 2011). As therapists, we are to encourage, instill hope, create structure, and formulate coping mechanisms for clients.
Model of Psychotherapy The definition of Psychotherapy is defined as “treatment of mental or emotional disorder or of related bodily ills by psychological means” (www.merriam-webster.com, 2011). In Psychotherapy I hope to express empathy, offer encouragement, and emphasize the importance of goal setting, time management, and communication. I hope to create meaningful yet therapeutic relationships with my clients (Murdock, 2009). Jeremiah 33:6 states, “Behold, I will bring it health and healing; I will heal them and reveal to them the abundance of peace and truth” (www.faithandhealthconnection.org, 2011). I plan to use a cognitive-behavioral approach as I define specific areas of stress, anxiety, and depression. I plan to use coping skills, restructure of thinking, and problem solving to enforce goals that are set (Jones and Butman, 1991). However, even as secular as REBT is, I must agree with some of its techniques as well. As stated in REBT, identification of irrational beliefs is the beginning of therapy (Jones and Butman, 1991). Again, I still strongly believe that a person’s environment is to blame for many influences and the creation of controlling issues. I also strongly believe in using homework assignments for clients. Homework can be written or the practicing of skills and procedures. Lombardo and Tracy (2005) emphasize the importance of activities outside the therapeutic setting. Homework can be used in a variety of disorders and I believe it helps to establish the sincerity of goals (Lombardo and Tracy, 2005). “REBT counselors almost always give clients homework” (Murdock, p303, 2009). Homework should be conducive to the client’s issues and include coping techniques to practice (Murdock, 2009).
Discussions and Conclusions People are not always able to move past bad experiences or circumstances in their lives. However, I believe we are all responsible for our own behaviors and the feelings that accompany them. God has given us the opportunity to make choices for ourselves and therefore determine the course our lives will take, whether good or bad. My theory emphasizes the belief that all people can change if given the chance along with encouragement and hope. II Timothy 1:7 states that “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (Holy Bible, KJV, 1991). God has called us all on a journey in life to help each other and to do the works that glorify his kingdom. By taking in a client’s background and experiences, as therapists we can offer empathy, love, structure, encouragement, and the hope of change. Isaiah 61:1 says, “The spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound” (Holy Bible, KJV, 1978). As an ending to my theory discussion, I would like to explain the title of my theory “Chance Journey”. I do believe in second chances in life and feel each and every day is a journey. However, as a future counselor I hope to use equine therapy to assist my clients in their transformations and coping skills. I am currently a member of Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA). This association is a non-profit organization that promotes Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. There are currently 3,500 members and the organization is present in 38 countries. Equine activities reflect life issues and allow clients to explore their current issues. Horses respond to non-verbal stimuli therefore they provide clients with rewarding feedback. I recently owned a horse I named Journey. I rescued her from starvation and after six months of love and care she was completely rehabilitated. She is now a loving companion for a good friend who is learning to ride. I chose her name as part of my theory title because it reflects our journey through life but also in dedication to her and the journey she and I made back to recovery. Currently I own a gelding I have named Chance. I have only had him two weeks and you can count all of his ribs and he barely has enough energy to walk. He is receiving another chance at life as I slowly strive to rehabilitate him. It will be a long journey but I hope to use him in future counseling sessions. Again, I believe we all deserve more than one chance at life’s struggles, therefore, I felt the need to use his name, “Chance”. So often we only think of humans as needing love, care, and compassion. As future Christian Counselors, I pray that we all see and make an effort to reach out to all of God’s creatures that need our help.

Appendix

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