Understand Different Approaches to the use of Counselling Skills

Introduction

I am writing about the different approaches used in counselling skills such as Humanistic Approach and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Approach. I will be discussing the key concepts in each approach and contrast both approaches.

While Maslow was more of a theorist, Carl Rogers was more of a therapist. His professional goal was more on helping people change and improve their lives. He was a true follower of humanistic ideation and is often considered the person who gave psychotherapy its basic humanistic undertones. Rogers believed in several key concepts that he believed must be present in order for healthy change to take place. His approach
To deal with these emotional problems, Ellis proposed rational-emotive therapy. This therapy is based on the idea that the therapist's role is to teach the individual to think logically. Unlike many therapists, Ellis did not believe that the client should guide their own thinking.
According to Beck,"If beliefs do not change, there is no improvement. If beliefs change, symptoms change. Beliefs function as little operational units," which means that one's thoughts and beliefs (schema) affect one’s behaviour and subsequent actions (Dr Paul Blenkiron 2005 p30). He believed that dysfunctional behaviour is caused due to dysfunctional thinking, and that thinking is shaped by our beliefs. Our beliefs decide the course of our actions. Beck was convinced of positive results if patients could be persuaded to think constructively and forsake negative thinking.
Cognitive therapists tend to focus on specific problems. These therapists believe that irrational thinking or faulty perceptions cause dysfunctions. A cognitive therapist may work with a client to change thought patterns. This type of therapy is often effective for clients suffering from depression or anxiety. In recent years Cognitive Behaviour Therapy has also been applied to the management of physical problems such as chronic pain, irritable bowel syndromand tinnitus.

Behavioural therapists work to change problematic behaviours that have been trained through years of reinforcement. A good example of