Throughout this course you have focused on various counseling and psychotherapy theories and perspectives. However, it is important to relate the knowledge and skills you have gained to becoming a scholar-practitioner who effects social change.

To prepare for this Discussion:

• Think about what it means to be a scholar-practitioner who effects social change.
• Reflect on what you said in the Week 1 Discussion about how an understanding of counseling and psychotherapy theories can contribute to the effectiveness of a scholar-practitioner who effects social change.
• Reconsider, taking into account what you have learned in this course, how the development of your personal theory of counseling and psychotherapy can contribute to being an effective scholar-practitioner who effects social change.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 4 your current thinking about how the development of your personal theory of counseling and psychotherapy can contribute to your being an effective scholar-practitioner who effects social change.

References:

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2006). Counseling and psychotherapy theories: Contemporary issues and future trends. Baltimore: Author.

• National Association of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapists
  http://www.nacbt.org/

Week 1 Discussion:

Main Discussion Post

An in-depth understanding of counseling theories shapes the growth and development of scholar-practitioners on their quest in implementing social changes. For instance, one is able to have a comprehensive knowledge of what the theories entail. This makes one understand the difference between assumptions and personal ideas. Psychotherapy theories provide a roadmap for therapists and counselors in interpreting their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors so that they can have a fruitful recovery process after diagnosis. Therefore, this affirms that therapeuticapproaches guide one to find a suitable treatment plan for a patient, given that there are many procedures. However, the use of theories cannot be done haphazardly since one has to be sure that the results will yield to behavioral changes, thus improving the health of the client(Corey, 2017). This implies that an understanding of the counseling theories enables one to pick a suitable health care approach.

A question arises on how theories affect social change. However, as counselors employ their use as part of the strategy of influencing positive behavior, the society benefits as well. For instance, a drug addict who is undergoing rehabilitation is treated using some therapeutic approaches. Therefore, when they get well, they will be of benefit to society and their families. Additionally, these theories also provide an organized framework that makes it easier to work with members of the community(Corey, 2013). The availability of several theories assists counselors to compare which method will yield maximum output. For instance, psychodynamic theory can be more intense when it comes to comparison since it incorporates a deeper understanding of an individual’s behaviors as well as a change in oneself( Laureate Education Inc, 2006). For this reason, the quality of treatment provided in the society is improved.

Reference

Corey, G. (2017). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (10th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Corey, G. (2013). Case approach to counseling and psychotherapy (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2006). Counseling and psychotherapy theories: Introduction. Baltimore: Author.