Developing Your Theoretical Orientation in Counseling and Psychotherapy

Dr. Duane Halbur’s research interests include the needs of school counselors, philosophical counseling, and the integration of technology in counseling. Along with teaching and writing, he works as a licensed counselor in private practice specializing in children and families in transition.   Dr. Kimberly Vess Halbur’s research includes cultural competencies for the helping professions and medical fields.  

Brief Table of Contents




Chapter One: Why Theoretical Orientation Is Important

Chapter Two: Incorporating Theory into Practice

Chapter Three: Top 10 Ways to Find Your Theoretical Orientation

Chapter Four: Six Schools of Thought and Their Theories of Helping


Chapter Five: Case Examples for Integrating Theory into Practice







Complete Table of Contents






Chapter One: Why Theoretical Orientation Is Important
A Personal Experience The Big Puzzle

What Is Theoretical Orientation?

The Helper’s Tool Belt

What Can A Theoretical Orientation Do For Me?


How Have Others Picked A Theoretical Orientation?

What If I’m Eclectic?

Empirically Validated Therapies: Are They Better?

Guidance From COMMON FACTORS: Do They All Work?

Once I Have It, How Can I Use It?

How Are Theoretical Orientation and Ethics Related?


The Main Points

Reflection Questions





Chapter Two: Incorporating Theory into Practice

Making Theory Useful: A Model

Theory Development

Importance of Your Life Philosophy

Life Philosophy–Its Personal

Schools of Thought

Theories

Goals and Techniques: Interventions at Work

Counselors are Diverse

Resistance to Theories: Eclectic, Integrated, or Just Don’t Know

Does It Really Work?

What to Take Home

Reflection Questions


Chapter Three: Top 10 Ways to Find Your Theoretical Orientation

Find Yourself



Articulate Your Values

Survey Your Preferences Use Your Personality

   Taking the MBTI

Capture Yourself

Let Others Inspire You in Your Learning

Read Original Works

Get Real

Study with a Master

Broaden Your Experiences

Top 10 Wrap-Up

Reflection Questions

Suggested Readings and Webpages




Chapter Four: Six Schools of Thought and Their Theories of HelpingPsychodynamic School of Thought

   Psychoanalytic Theory

   Analytical Theory

   Individual Psychology

Behavioral School of Thought

   Behavioral Therapy

Humanistic School of Thought

   Person-Centered

   Existential

   Gestalt

Pragmatic School of Thought

   Cognitive Behavioral

   Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy

   Reality Therapy

Constructivist School of Thought

   Multicultural Counseling and Therapy

   Feminist Therapy

   Narrative Therapy

   Solution-Focused Brief Therapy

Family Approaches School of Thought

   Bowen Family Systems Therapy

   Strategic Family Therapy

   Structural Family Therapy

   Family Therapies and Diversity

Summary

Reflection Questions





Chapter Five: Case Examples for Integrating Theory into Practice

Clinician Case Studies

Case One: Evan

Case Two: Jill

Case Three: Garrett 

Case Four: Lillian  


Comment on the Cases

Client Case Studies


Case One: Tony

Case Two: Nancy

Case Three: Brenda

Supervision Case Studies

Case One: Grace

Case Two: Casey

Case Three: Dominic

Summary of Supervision Case Studies

Putting It All Together

Importance Revisited 

How Theory Is Found

Benefit of the ITS Model to the Field