Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

ATTENDANCE CHECK
1. Tell something about yourself
2. Given a chance to choose a profession, what will you
choose:
a. Counselor
b. Psychotherapist

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Course Objectives

• Know the nature and meaning of counseling and psychotherapy,

competencies of counselors/psychotherapist, theories, and principles.

• Familiriaze the students to orthodox and unconventional approaches of

psychotherapy.

• Understand the dissonance upon self which are made by inner drives and
external pressures which provide the individual with insights concerning
problem of growing up.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Course Objectives

• Discover the appropriate therapeutic technique according to the nature of the

problem of the individuals.

• Learn the helping relationship and apply various range of interventions

appropriate for individuals, families, groups, and communities.

• Facilitate learning to make right choices and to maintain satisfying and

effective adjustment.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Course Objectives

• Conduct case analysis, case conferences, and design treatment plan of clients.

• Apply ethical and multicultural considerations in conducting therapy to clients.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Grading System
CLASS STANDING EXAMS
(70%) (30%)
MID-TERM Exercise 1- 20% Mid Term Exam
Exercise 2- 35%
Peer Evaluation-10%
Self-Evaluation- 5%
FINAL-TERM Exercise 3- 15% Final Term Exam
Exercise 4-30%
Client Evaluation-10%
Peer Evaluation-10%
Self-Evaluation-5%

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Counseling and Psychotherapy

-are applied subjects in the study of Psychology.

-aims to equip you with the basic knowledge of the principles,

procedures, techniques and tools used in giving assistance to
students and clients.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Introduction to Psychotherapy’s main objective

-is to provide you foundational knowledge on

how theory is applied into practice, when and
how to use a specific Psychotherapeutic
Technique, and take into heart ethical principles
that governs the practice of psychotherapy.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Theories

-“groups of logically organized laws or relationships

that constitute explanation in a discipline” . Helps us
understand the phenomenon.
It contains:
*assumptions
*observations
*definitions

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Elements of a Theory

1. Philosophy of Science from which the theory

emerged
2. Perspectives taken on human motivations
3. Perspectives taken on human development
4. Description of a psychological health
5. Therapeutic stance and the role of the Psychologist
6. Manner in which goals and outcomes are framed.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 Criterion Scope
Precision and Clarity - Theory is based on rules that are clear.
- Terminologies and definitions are specific.
- Theory is parsimonious, meaning it is straightforward.
- Constructs are related to each other and related to the rules of
human behavior.
- Should be able to explain an area of personality with a few
assumptions.
Comprehensiveness - Refers to its generalizability. Theories that are comprehensive
are deemed to be widely applicable but may be vulnerable to
error.

Testability - Clearly defined concepts enable the production of clear

hypothesis that can be tested.

Usefulness - Suggests ways to understand a specific phenomenon.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 Psychotherapeutic Approaches

1. Client-centered Therapy
2. Existential Therapy
3. Behavioral Therapy
4. Rational Emotive Therapy
5. Cognitive Therapy
6. Choice Therapy
7. Feminist Psychotherapy
8. Constructivist Approaches
9. Multicultural and Nonwestern Approaches
10. Integrative vs Ecleticism

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Psychotherapy vs Counseling

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 Psychotherapy vs Counseling
Psychotherapy Counseling
Severely disturbed individuals Normal individuals
Facilitative Educational and informational
Hospitals School or guidance-clinic settings
Associated with psychiatric work Associated with social work

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Psychotherapy vs Counseling

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Historical Timeline
 Historical Timeline

• Europe and the United States of America were the seats of historical roots of
Psychotherapy and Counseling.
• “Talk Therapies” (Europe) and “Mind Cures” (USA) exist before Freud’s Psychoanalysis
• No different in the history of Psychology
• Wilhem Wundt roots
• Freud’s landmrk- “accelerator”
• Carl Jung
• Competing schools of thoughts emerged as theorists and practitioners find ways
to address a controversial
construct or missing link from other theories.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
ASSIGNMENT:

1. Counseling Skills
2. Characteristics of a Good Counselor and
Psychotherapist
3. Five Phases of Counseling and Psychotherapy
4. School of Thoughts

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

School of Thoughts

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

STRUCTURALISM (Wilhelm Wundt)
Considers Psychology to be the study of conscious experience.
This school of thought focuses on the basic element that
constitutes the foundation of perception, consciousness, thinking,
emotions and other kinds of mental states and activities. This
school of thought relies on introspection, a procedure to study
the structure of the mind, in which subjects are asked to describe
in detail what they are experiencing when they are exposed to a
stimulus.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

FUNCTIONALISM (William James)

Functionalism focused on what the mind does rather than

its structures. Functionalists examined how behavior
allows people to satisfy their needs. They asked what the
roles behavior plays in allowing people to better adapt to
their environment.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

GESTALT

Focuses on how perceptions are organized. Instead of

considering individual parts, Gestalt looks at the whole.
They believe that the whole is different than the sum of
its parts. They believe that when considered together, the
basic elements that compose our perception of objects
produce something greater and more meaningful than
those individual elements alone.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

BEHAVIORISM (John Watson)

Believes that observable behavior can be measured

objectively and should be the focus of the study. This
movement grew out of the rejection of psychology’s
emphasis on the inner workings of the mind, suggesting
instead that the field should focus on observable
behaviors that can be measured objectively

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

PSYCHOANALYTIC (Sigmund Freud)

Behavior is motivated by the inner force and conflicts

about which we have little awareness or control. Though
many of the original tenets of the psychoanalytic school
of thought has been criticized, its applications to modern
practice has provided means to understand and treat
some psychological disorders and provide a means to
understand everyday phenomena such as prejudice and
aggression.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

BIOLOGICAL

Focuses on how people and nonhuman

functions biologically.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

COGNITIVE

Evolving from structuralism, those who follow the

cognitive school of thought focuses on how people think,
understand, and know about the world. The emphasis is
on learning how people comprehend and represent the
outside world within themselves and how our ways of
thinking about the world influence our behavior.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

HUMANISTIC (Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow)

Believes that individuals naturally strive to grow, develop,

and be in control of their lives and their behavior.
Humanism subscribes to the idea that each of us has the
capacity to seek and reach fulfillment. Humanism grew
out of the rejection of behaviorism and psychoanalytic
views.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Counselling Skills and Process

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 Counselling and Pscyhotherapy
-is given by one person to another in making wise choices and
adjustment in solving personal problems
-universal service not confined to educational or family settings
-helping profession
-is essential in living a purposive life and needed to acquire knowledge,
skills, attitudes, and appropriate values to prepare them for good
occupation, decent and successful living.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 Counselling and Pscyhotherapy
-is given by one person to another in making wise choices and
adjustment in solving personal problems
-universal service not confined to educational or family settings
-helping profession
-is essential in living a purposive life and needed to acquire knowledge,
skills, attitudes, and appropriate values to prepare them for good
occupation, decent and successful living.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Basic Counselling Skills

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

1. Listening
a. Attending - orienting oneself physically to the patient (pt) to
indicate one is aware of the patient, and, in fact, that the client
has your full, undivided attention and that you care. Methods
include eye contact; nods; not moving around, being distracted,
eye contact, encouraging verbalizations; mirroring body postures
and language; leaning forward, etc. Researchers estimate that
about 80 percent of communication takes place non-verbally.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

b. Listening/observing - capturing and understanding the verbal
and nonverbal information communicated by that pt.
c. Two primary sources of information:
i. CONTENT - what is specifically said. Listen carefully for,
not only what a person says, but also the words,
expressions and patterns the person is using, which may
give you a deeper insight. Counselors should develop their
ability to remember what was said, as well as to clarify what
was said or finding out what was not said.
ii. PROCESS - all nonverbal phenomena, including how
content is conveyed, themes, body language, interactions,
etc. Smiling Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
2. Empathy: The ability to perceive another's experience and then to
communicate that perception back to the individual to clarify and
amplify their own experiencing and meaning. It is not identifying with
the pt or sharing similar experiences-- not "I know how you feel"!
Primary skills associated with the communication of empathy include:

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

a. nonverbal and verbal attending
b. paraphrasing content of client communications
c. reflecting patient feelings and implicit messages
d. ATTENDING – involves our behaviors which reflect our paying full
attention, in an accepting and supportive way, to the client.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

a. nonverbal and verbal attending
b. paraphrasing content of client communications
c. reflecting patient feelings and implicit messages
d. ATTENDING – involves our behaviors which reflect our paying full
attention, in an accepting and supportive way, to the client.
e. PARAPHRASING - Selective focusing on the cognitive part of the
message – with the client’s key words and ideas being communicated
back to the patient in a rephrased, and shortened form.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

There are four steps in effective [paraphrasing:
a. Listen and recall. The entire client message to ensure you
recalled it in its entirety and do not omit any significant parts.
b. Identify the content part of the message by deciding what
event, situation, idea, or person the client is talking about.
c. Rephrase, in as concise a manner as possible, the key words and
ideas the client has used to communicate their concerns in a fresh
or different perspective. Perception check is usually in the form of
a brief question, e., “It sounds like...,” “Let me see if I understand
this,” which allows the client to agree or disagree with the
accuracy of your paraphrasing.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

f. REFLECTING PT'S FEELINGS- Affective reflection in an open-ended,
respectful manner of what the client is communicating verbally and
nonverbally, both directly through words and nonverbal behaviors as
well as reasonable inferences about what the client might be
experiencing emotionally It is important for the helper to think
carefully about which words he/she chooses to communicate these
feelings back to the client. The skill lies in choosing words which use
different words that convey the same or similar. For example, if a
poorly skilled helper reflected to the client that he/she was “very
angry and depressed,” when the client had only said they were
irritated by a certain event, and had felt very sad over the death of a
family pet, the result could be counterproductive to the process of
change. Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
3. Genuiness: Ability of counselor to be freely themselves. Includes
congruence between outer words/behaviors and inner feelings;
non-defensiveness; non-role-playing; and being unpretentious. For
example, if the helper claims that they are comfortable helping a client
explore a drug or sexual issue, but their behavior (verbally and
nonverbally) shows signs of discomfort with the topic this will become
an obstacle to progress and often lead to client confusion about and
mistrust of the helper.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

4. Unconditional Positive Regard: An expression of caring and
nurturance as well as acceptance. It includes conveying warmth and
acceptance by responding to the pt’s messages (verbal and nonverbal)
with non-judgmental or non-critical verbal and non-verbal reactions. It
also involves respecting the pt. which is the ability to communicate to
the pt the counselor’s sincere belief that every person possesses the
inherent strength and capacity to make it in life, and that each person
has the right to choose his own alternatives and make his own decisions.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

5. Concreteness: Keeping the communication specific, focused on facts
and feelings or relevant concerns, while avoiding tangents,
generalizations, abstract discussions, or talking about the counselor
rather than the pt. This includes:
a. Assisting client to identify and work on a specific problem from the
various ones presented.
b. Reminding the client of the task and redescribing intent and
structure of the session.
c. Using questions and suggestions to help the client clarify facts,
terms, feelings, and goals.
d. Use a here-and-now focus to emphasize process and content
occurring in current session, which may of help to elucidate the
problem being worked on or improving the problem-solving process.
Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
6. Open Questions: Questioning process to assist the client in clarifying
or exploring thoughts or feelings, Counselor is not requesting specific
information and not purposively limiting the nature of the response to
only a yes or no, or very brief answer:
a. The goal is to facilitate exploration – not needed if the client is
already doing this.
b. Have an intention or therapeutic purpose for every question you
ask.
c. Avoid asking too many questions, or assuming an interrogatory
role.
d. Best approach is to follow a response to an open-ended question
with a paraphrase or reflection which encourages the client to share
more and avoids repetitive patterns of
question/answer/question/answer etc.
Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
7. Counselor Self-Disclosure: The counselor shares personal feelings,
experiences, or reactions to the client. Should include relevant content
intended to help them. As a rule, it is better to not self-disclose unless
there is a pressing clinical need which cannot be met in any other way.
Remember empathy is not sharing similar experiences but conveying in a
caring and understanding manner what the client is feeling and thinking.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

8. Interpretation: Any statement to the client which goes beyond what
they have said or are aware of. In interpretation the counselor is
providing new meaning, reason, or explanation for behaviors, thoughts,
or feelings so that pt can see problems in a new way. Interpretations can
help the client make connections between seemingly isolated
statements of events, can point out themes or patterns, or can offer a
new framework for understanding. An interpretation may be used to
help a pt focus on a specific aspect of their problem, or provide a goal.
a. Keep interpretation short, concrete and deliver them tentatively
and with empathy.
b. Use interpretation sparingly and do not assume a client’s rejection
of your insight means they are resistant or that you are right.
Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
9. Information Giving and Removing Obstacles to Change: Supplying
data, opinions, facts, resources or answers to questions. Explore with
client possible problems which may delay or prevent their change
process. In collaboration with the client identify possible solutions and
alternatives

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Counselling Process

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

The Counselor or Psychotherapist

1. A fully trained and qualified individual capable of meeting the needs of his/her
client population they were elected to assigned to serve.
2. Actively seeks certifications and appropriate training.
3. Professionally and personally committed to constantly upgrade and update
their knowledge, skills.
4. They conduct research as means of actively participating in the enrichment
and advancement of their profession.
5. Active members of professional organizations.
6. Upholds the ethical and legal standards of their profession

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Essential Preparations to be a Counselor or Psychotherapist

1. Personality Organization and Development

2. Knowledge of the Social Environment
3. Appraisal of the Individual (Theory and Practice)
4. Counseling Theories and Practice
5. Personal Therapeutic Experience
6. Research and Statistics
7. Professional Orientation
8. Diversification

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Skills and Competency of a Counselor or Psychotherapist
1. Human Relation Skills
2. Conceptual Skills
3. Technical Skills
4. Decision-making Skills

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Characteristics of a Good Counselor or Psychotherapist
1. Being Emphatic
2. Being Genuine
3. Being Accepting
4. Being Open-Minded
5. Striving for Internality
6. Being Mentally Healthy
7. Being capable of making alliances
8. Being competent

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Goals of Counseling and Psychotherapy
1. Behavioral Change
2. Positive Mental Health
3. Problem Resolution
4. Personal Effectiveness
5. Decision-making

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Assumptions of Counseling and Psychotherapy
1. The client is willing to participate in the
counseling/psychotherapeutic process.
2. The counselor/psychotherapist must possess appropriate training,
experiences and personal attitudes to function effectively.
3. An appropriate environment is necessary.
4. Counseling/Psychotherapy must provide a relationship that allows
for meeting of both short-term and long-term goals.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Elements of Counseling and Psychotherapy
1. Establish rapport
2. Relationship must be one of openness, trust and warmth.
3. Respect must be observed at all times.
4. A joint understanding between the counselor and the counselee
regarding the characteristics, conditions and procedures and
parameters of counseling.
5. The time schedule for counseling should strictly be followed.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

The Five Phases of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Exploratory
Introductory
Interpretative
Working
Termination

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 •Begin forming a good working relationship and
establish rapport.
•To explore the reason why the counselee sought
counseling
•Developing opening structure by:
Exploratory ∙Determine the time limit
∙Determine the action limit
Phase ∙Determine the role limit
∙Determine the procedural limit

Termination Introductory
Phase Phase
•Closing of the Session
•Planning of next Session or Follow-up •Determining and identifying the problem.
•May also pertain to the termination of the •Establishing the therapeutic goal of the relationship
therapeutic relationship.

Working Interpretative
Phase Phase
•Build a deeper relationship with the client
•Possible solutions to the problem are identified
•Help the client talk more to explore the identified problem
•Application of therapeutic or counseling intervention.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

 Rapport/Trust
(Exploratory Phase)

Assignment/Follow-Up/Closure Problem and Goal Identification

(Termination Phase) (Introductory Phase)

Confrontation/
Exploration for Deeper
Resolution/
Understanding
Realization
(Interpretative Phase)
(Working Phase)

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

can be viewed as a cyclical process for several reasons:

Ongoing Assessment and Reevaluation: The therapeutic process is dynamic, and

clients' needs and progress can change over time. As a result, therapists continuously
assess and reevaluate the client's situation, goals, and progress. This ongoing
assessment can lead to adjustments in the treatment plan, making it a cyclical
process.

Termination and Follow-Up: The final phase of therapy, termination and follow-up, is
not always the end of the therapeutic relationship. Many clients may return to
therapy at a later time or for "booster" sessions to maintain their progress or address
new issues. This means that the termination phase can lead back into the initial
contact and assessment phases, creating a cycle.

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

can be viewed as a cyclical process for several reasons:

Recurring Issues: Some clients may have recurring or chronic issues that require
periodic therapy throughout their lives. These clients may go through the phases of
therapy repeatedly as they address different aspects of their issues, making it a
cyclical process for them.

Progress Monitoring: Even after the initial therapeutic goals are met, clients might
set new goals or seek ongoing support to maintain their progress. Thus, the progress
monitoring and therapeutic intervention phases can continue in an ongoing cycle.

Life Events and Transitions: Life events, such as major transitions, trauma, or
stressors, can prompt individuals to seek therapy at various points in their lives. Each
new phase of therapy may be triggered by different life events, creating a cyclical
need for therapy.
Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling
ASSIGNMENT:

1. Counseling Skills
2. Characteristics of a Good Counselor and
Psychotherapist
3. Five Phases of Counseling and Psychotherapy
4. School of Thoughts

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling

Introduction to Psychotherapy and Counseling