GREAT LAKES UNIVERSITY OF KISUMU
FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF NURSING

COURSE CODE: EPS 121

COURSE NAME: COUNSELLING

NAME OF STUDENT: EDWIN VICTOR ODHIAMBO

ADMISSION NO: BSN/12 – M/01

DATE: 8TH NOVEMBER 2012

HOME WORK COUNSELLING ASSIGNMENT
ASSIGNMENT 1: CONTRAST BETWEEN PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY AND HUMANISTIC COUNSELLING
ASSIGNMENT 2: WHAT IS THE FOCUS ON HUMANISTIC COUNSELLING?

LECTURER: PASTOR OWINO

PSYCHOANALYTIC THERAPY
Sigmund Freud is credited as the founder of psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic theory. There have been a multitude of variations that have evolved and the term most often used to broadly encompass these approaches is "Psychodynamic." Terms such as: neurosis, conflict, attachment, object relations, unconscious, defense mechanisms, id, ego, superego, drives, libido, transference, counter-transference, and countless more have emerged from this approach. Some of the major approaches within the psychodynamic category are: Psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud), Adlerian Psychotherapy (Alfred Adler), Analytical Psychotherapy(Carl Jung), Object Relations (Mahler, Winnicott, Fairbairn, Klein, Gutrip, Kernberg and others), and Self Psychology (Heinz Kohut).
Freud's original theories were based on the conflicts that he believed were at the core of human existence. These conflicts emerge from attempts to reconcile our biological selves with our social selves. Aspects of these conflicts are unconscious and influence our behavior without our awareness. Psychodynamic therapies work to make the unconscious conscious so that we can have greater insight into our needs and behavior and therefore more control over how we allow these conflicts to affect us.
His therapy explores the dynamic workings of a mind understood to consist of three parts: the hedonistic id , the rational ego , and the moral superego. Because the majority of these dynamics are said to occur outside people's awareness, Freudian psychoanalysis seeks to probe the unconscious by way of various techniques, including dream interpretation and free association. Freud maintained that the condition of the unconscious mind is profoundly influenced by childhood experiences. So, in addition to dealing with the defense mechanisms used by an overburdened ego, his therapy addresses fixations and other issues by probing deeply into clients' youth.
In Adlerian psychotherapy, clients are encouraged to overcome their feelings of insecurity, develop deeper feelings of connectedness, and to redirect their striving for significance into more socially beneficial directions. Through a respectful Socratic dialogue, they are challenged to correct mistaken assumptions, attitudes, behaviors and feelings about themselves and the world. Constant encouragement stimulates clients to attempt what was previously felt as impossible. The growth of confidence, pride, and gratification leads to a greater desire and ability to cooperate. The objective of therapy is to replace exaggerated self-protection, self-enhancement, and self-indulgence with courageous social contribution.
Carl Jung was a student of Freud and eventually developed his own theory called "Analytical Psychology." While still based on the reconciliation between the conscious and unconscious, Jung broadened Freud's work to include concepts of culture, mythology, and spirituality. For Jung the most important and lifelong task imposed upon any person is fulfillment through the process of individuation, achievement of harmony of conscious and unconscious, which makes a person one and whole. The term "object-relations" refers to the self-structure we internalize in early childhood, which functions as a blueprint for establishing and maintaining future relationships. Psychopathology is an expression of traumatic self-object internalizations from childhood acted-out in our current relationships. Psychotherapy is the resolution of these self-destructive patterns of relating so that we can mature and self-actualize. Self psychology is Heinz Kohut's variation of object relations theory that recognizes the central importance of people's needs for relationships critical in providing necessary experiences during growth and development. These experiences are called self-object experiences. Sufficient positive self-object experiences when the infant and child are developing facilitate the formation of a strong, cohesive self -- the core of one's personality and character. Kohut is credited with adding the concept of "empathy" to the everyday discourse of psychotherapy.
Psychoanalytic and Humanistic are all psychotherapy which are techniques employed to improve psychological functioning and promote adjustment to life for every patients. The general goal is to help people gain greater control over and improvement in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These therapies are grouped together as insight therapies. Although their goals are similar, their approach is very different from each other.
Psychoanalytic therapy is use to bring the patient’s unconscious conflicts to consciousness. This will help the patient to discover his or her reasons for his or her abnormal behaviors. Once this insight occurs, the conflicts can be resolved and the patient can change to a better behavior. According to Freud to gain insight into the unconscious, the ego must be tricked into a relaxation state. There are five methods to use in this therapy: free association, dream analysis, analyzing resistance, analyzing transference, and interpretation.
HUMANISTIC COUNSELLING
Humanistic psychotherapy is an approach which tries to do justice to the whole person including mind, body and spirit. It represents a broad range of therapeutic methods. Each method recognizes the self-healing capacities of the client. The humanistic psychotherapist works towards an authentic meeting of equals in the therapy relationship. Abraham Maslow is perhaps the best know theorist associated with Humanistic Psychology and Carl Rogers (Client Centered Psychotherapy) the best known therapist, though many have followed including Fritz Perls and his Gestalt Therapy.
Existential psychotherapy is closely related to humanistic psychotherapy, though different historical figures are usually associated with the two models. Many therapists today will identify themselves as "humanistic-existential" in approach due to the common roots and perspectives.
Existential psychotherapy aims at enabling clients to find constructive ways of coming to terms with the challenges of everyday living. The focus is on the client’s concrete, individual experience of anxiety and distress leading to an exploration of their personal beliefs and value system, in order to clarify and understand these in relation to the specific physical, psychological and socio-cultural context. The experience and influences of the past, present and future are given equal emphasis. The questioning of assumptions and facing up to the possibilities and limitations of living is an important part of this interactive, dynamic and direct approach. Four "existential problems" are cited as the core of the existential struggle that is the primary focus in this therapy and considered to be at the root of most psychological difficulties: death, freedom vs. responsibility, isolation, and meaninglessness. There are no absolute solutions to the existential problems yet all of us have to come to terms with them. The names most associated with Existential Psychotherapy are Rollo May, James Bugental, and Irvin Yalom.
Humanistic - Emerged in reaction to both behaviorism and psychoanalysis and is therefore known as the Third Force in the development of psychology. It is explicitly concerned with the human context of the development of the individual with an emphasis on subjective meaning, a rejection of determinism, and a concern for positive growth rather than pathology. It points to an inherent human capacity to maximize potential, 'the self-actualizing tendency'. The task of Humanistic therapy is to create a relational environment where this tendency might flourish. Humanistic psychology is philosophically rooted in existentialism.
Existential - Based on the existential belief that human beings are alone in the world. This isolation leads to feelings of meaninglessness, which can be overcome only by creating one's own values and meanings.
2. WHAT IS THE FOCUS ON HUMANISTIC COUNSELLING?
Humanistic therapy is a method therapist use to focus on clients' subjective, conscious experiences. Just as behavior therapists, humanistic therapists focus more on what clients are experiencing in the present.
The major form of humanistic therapy is person-centered therapy, which includes specific philosophies, and definite methods and goals.
PHILOSOPHIES
Jeffrey Nevid, Spencer Rathus, and Beverly Greene in “abnormal psychology in a changing world” (2006) mention: The philosophies of humanistic therapy are derived from Carl Rogers who believed people have natural motivational tendencies toward growth, health, and fulfillment.
Roger's views follow the thoughts: psychological disorders develop largely from the roadblocks that other people place on their path toward self-actualization. Children begin to disown the criticized parts of themselves - the feelings and beliefs that others have selectively disapproved.
In order to earn social approval, one may don social masks or facades. Interestingly and sadly, one learns to be seen and not heard, and may become deaf to his/her own inner voice. The result of this self-actualization indicate Nevid, Rathus, and Green: one becomes poorly adjusted, unhappy, and confused as to who they are.
The importance of creating a warm therapeutic relationship that encourages the client to engage in self-exploration and self-expression is imperative. Nevid, Rathus, and Green remind: humanistic therapy follows the belief that the therapist should possess four basic qualities: unconditional positive regard, genuineness, empathy, and congruence.
The philosophy of the humanistic therapy is to stress to clients that they have natural motivational tendencies toward growth, health, and fulfillment. Through this strong notion, humanistic therapy helps each client achieve those motivational tendencies.
METHODS AND GOALS
The methods and the goals of humanistic therapy are overlapping concepts. Methods of humanistic therapy include four basic qualities, which the therapist must express: unconditional positive regard, empathy, genuineness, and congruence.
Unconditional positive regard sets the goal for, and provides clients with a sense of security encouraging clients to explore feelings without fear of disapproval. As clients feel accepted or prized, they are encouraged to accept themselves.
Rogers stressed that every human being has intrinsic worth and value because people are basically good and are motivated to pursue goals. Within humanistic therapy, therapist must display this empathy by trying to see the world through the clients' frames of reference.
Therapists' goals and methods within empathy, are to listen carefully, refrain from judging, and encourage clients to get in touch with their own feelings. These first two methods and goals of humanistic therapy are crucial to creating the warm therapeutic relationship. Therapist must also display genuineness by being open about feelings. For example, the methods and goals of genuineness consist of a therapist being honest. If the therapist becomes bored, tired, or negative, he/she should express those feelings to a client.
Therapist should also include congruence. he methods and goals of congruence are displayed through behavior, thoughts, and feelings which are integrated and consistent. Congruent therapists serve as models of psychological integrity to their clients.
Therefore, the method of the humanistic therapy includes expressions which are crucial for the therapist to develop a deeper, cohesive, client-centered approach.
SUMMARY
Humanistic therapy through person-centered therapy seeks to expand clients' self-insight through the major forms, which includes specific philosophies, and explicit methods and goals.
Imperative and crucial for therapist to remember is: the philosophy of humanistic therapy is to stress to clients that they have natural motivational tendencies toward growth, health, and fulfillment. Therapists must help each client achieve those motivational tendencies by helping each patient realize their potential.
Humanistic therapy focuses on removing obstacles that block personal growth and potential. This therapy helps the patient or client, according to Carl Rogers, to actualize their potential and relates to others in genuine ways. Humanistic therapists follow these four important qualities of communication to help the patient improve themselves: empathy, unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and active listening.
In humanistic counseling the capacity for growth and fulfilment underlies the approach to all clients. The fundamental drive of the person is seen to be a need for fulfilment. What gets in the way or ‘blocks’ fulfilment in the sense of self is not seen as static problems and/or diagnoses like ‘depression’ but rather hindrances in dynamic processes that would otherwise lead to the depression lifting.
Humanistic counselors aim to help their clients work with these processes to allow changes that occur naturally when the processes being blocked are lessened or eliminated. Also worked with is the thinking that goes along with these blocks so that the person can move towards a clearer, less cluttered sense of self. Humanistic counselors also wish to work with a person’s whole experience rather than giving a singular importance to thinking, feeling or behavior. These aspects of a person might be looked at individually but it is assumed that they are parts of a whole. Similarly since it is seen as constantly changing rather than static there is no need to emphasize the past over present or future. The past often is important but that does not mean as it does in some other therapies, that the past always has something to do with present issues.

REFERENCES 1. http://www.yobeely.f2s.com/articles/gomez.html 2. http://www.helenrowland.co.uk/humanistic-therapy 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/psychotherapy 4. http://www.strisik.com/therapy/approaches.htm 5. http://www.e-psychology.gr/psychotherapy/392-compare

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