Why Theory?

What is a Theory?

Theories…  Help explain and predict behavior  Guide our thinking and actions when working with clients  “a set of interrelated ideas, constructs, and principles proposed to explain certain observations of reality” (Hjelle & Ziegler, 1992, p.7)

So, why theory?  There are over 400 different approaches to counseling  Theory helps guide our thinking… a sort of “road map” to therapy  Subscribing to a theory helps the counselor determine if counseling is working  Using a theory(ies) while conducting counseling is ethically responsible to the client  ????

CAUTION…Slippery Road Ahead  Subscribing to a theory can be problematic when: –Counselor is rigid and theory does not fit client –Counselor overlooks or disregards important information/data that does not fit into subscribed theory –Counselor does not acknowledge the biases or misconceptions present in the theory –????

Take home point…  Subscribing to a theory can help counselors (especially new counselors) approach therapy in an efficient, organized, systematic way. However, counselors should be knowledgeable about the major counseling theories and not become rigid or stuck in only one theory

How do I pick a theory?  1 st Step: Know major theories  2 nd Step: Who am I?  Helps you to make an informed choice  Most counselors pick theories based on their own conceptions of human behavior, personality styles, etc.

Characteristics of a good theory  There are several ways to judge a theory: (PESST) –Precision/Testability –Empirical Validity –Simplicity –Stimulation –The real world

Precision/Testability  Does the theory have clearly defined constructs?  Is the theory based on some sort of realistic view of human behavior?

Empirical Validity  Has the theory been tested? On whom? When? How?  Ways to determine empirical validity: –Controlled case studies –Case descriptions –Meta-analysis –Surveys –Stringent comparison studies of therapy and control groups

Simplicity  How easy is the theory adhered to and implemented?  Caution: A simple theory may not be the best theory. Also, who says what is simple? And what seems simple today may not be so in the future

Stimulation  How enticing is the theory?  Does it “stimulate” discussion, critique, research?  Is it taken seriously?

The real world…  How easily does the theory explain and fit into the “real world”?  Does the conceptual framework make it practical to use? (Theories presented in this class are widely believed to be practical on a varying spectrum)

Eclecticism  This is when a counselor integrates two or more theories into counseling  40% of the counselors surveyed from 1982 to 2001 ( see Murdock, 2004 ) subscribed to an eclectic counseling approach  Even those who were eclectic in their main approach usually integrated theories from a similar theoretical viewpoint (i.e., Beck’s cognitive therapy and RET) (Murdock, 2004)

Steps to Applying Theory

Applying Theory…  1 st Step: Know Your Theory –Understand core beliefs –Understand constructs –Know the process –What constitutes psychological health, well- being, success?

Applying Theory…  2 nd Step: Know Your Client –Know demographics (age, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, religion, ethnicity, etc.) and understand the impact these characteristics have on the client –Gather pertinent information about client according to theoretical constructs (cognitive theory=understand client’s thoughts; behavioral therapy=understand productive or destructive behavior, etc.) –Ask yourself if the clients presenting problem fits with theory (i.e., a young college student wants help dealing with feelings of frustration at school, however the counselor subscribes to the RET therapist who wants to focus on relationships)