Reflective essay example
Personal Style of Counseling- REBT and Gestalt
- Subject
- Psychology
- Type
- Reflective essay
- Citation style
- MLA
- Length
- 7 pages
About this sample
The paper is a reflective account of the author's preferred counseling orientation, centred on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), with Gestalt techniques as a complement. It compares several theories, including psychoanalytic, cognitive, and reality therapy, weighing each one's fit with the author's worldview and its suitability for multicultural and time-limited clients. The argument moves from the rationale for REBT to an integrative perspective that combines it with Gestalt concepts.
- Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT)
- Gestalt therapy
- Psychoanalytic approach
- Cognitive theories
- Brief therapy models
- Multicultural counseling
How it opens
The counselor's practice should be grounded in theory for effective counseling. Counselors in training can choose from several theoretical approaches to nurture their orientation. The choice of the theoretical orientation to adopt can depend on various factors such as one's training, work experience, life or personal worldviews. However, in dealing with today's multicultural and diverse populations, counselors should exercise flexibility and be able to integrate techniques, concepts, and other aspects of theories other than their chosen theory. The paper explores my cognitive theories orientation and progress towards an integrative perspective in counseling practice.
I am drawn to cognitive theories due to their focus on the role of cognition in influencing emotions and behavior. Throughout my life experiences, I have observed how people's negative or positive perceptions influence the quality of lives they lead. I am particularly drawn to Albert Ellis' Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy because it not only fits with my worldview and belief system, but also confirms them by demonstrating how a person's thinking process contributes towards the occurrence of their psychological problems (Corey 267). It presents a challenge for me to help my clients move from blaming external factors to understanding and taking responsibility for the roles they play in the occurrence of their problems. The A-B-C framework in the theory is particularly significant in walking with the client through the therapeutic relationship. It actively engages the client in identifying and working on the irrational belief systems that they hold (269).
The opening section, transcribed from the PDF. The full paper continues below.
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Using an example well
Read it for how the paper is built, not for wording to reuse: how the introduction frames the question, how each paragraph moves from a claim to evidence, and how sources are cited in MLA. Submitting any part of it as your own work would be plagiarism, and it is written for a different brief than yours.
Writing one yourself? Read the guide How to write a narrative essay and the MLA format guide.