Introduction to Counselling Psychology

Introduction to Counselling Psychology

PY1910 Introduction to counselling psychology Sem B Student no U1140331

Using examples, critically discuss the proposed goals for the process of counselling in relation to the
psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural approaches to counselling psychology.


Counselling was invented in the twentieth-century. We live in a constantly changing, busy and complicated environment. Most often we get along with life and manage to face many difficult situations. We find that the advice of peers, friends and family may help us deal with problematic instances, but in other times their form of aid is not sufficient. There is when many people find it as a benefit to seek counselling. But McLeod (2003) argues that counselling is far much more than just talking, it has been transformed throughout the years into 'schools' of therapy. These schools adopted forms of approaches to help people who need guidance, clarity and problem solving.

McLeod (2003) points out that there are several occupations that label counselling as part of their profession, but the term specified for someone that imports the concepts of science into counselling is a counselling psychologist. Healing, hypnotherapy, prayer, meditation, massage and herbal therapies lie outside counselling psychotherapies. Karasu (1986) argues that there are more than 400 distinct models of psychotherapy and counselling. However despite all the diversity of different practice, it is commonly recognised that there are three 'core' approaches. These are psychodynamic, humanistic and cognitive-behavioural ways of helping people with emotional and behavioural problems. Counselling makes no diversity in culture, gender, religion, or orientation.
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In Counselling, support is given to every individual from every background, and the main aim is being sensitive to the person that seeks counselling and to help the client face problems in living and to create a working framework that suits...

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