Assignment: "Integrating Theoretical Orientation"

Incorporating theory and understanding the use of appropriate techniques are essential aspects of your counseling. Reflect back on any counseling theories course(s) you may have taken with Walden or any theories with which you began to develop your theoretical orientation. Remember, your own theoretical orientation as a counselor grows and matures throughout your professional career as you work in the field. Think about how you would integrate your developing theoretical orientation into your counseling techniques.

For this Discussion, review this week's media titled, "Foundations of Counseling Techniques," and consider how these experienced practitioners have integrated theory into their own counseling techniques.

Post a brief description of your theoretical orientation. Then, explain at least two insights you gained about integrating your theoretical orientation into counseling techniques. Finally, explain how this might impact your future practice. Be specific.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources and the current literature.

For many clients, the therapeutic alliance will be the first time they have experienced a truly genuine, nonjudgmental relationship. As clients take this experience with them outside of the counseling session, how might they affect other people in their lives? How might their own ability to be genuine and nonjudgmental provide a model to others, thus beginning the process of social change?

For this Discussion, you explore how theories can empower clients to change their lives. First, you review this week's Learning Resources, particularly Walden University's definition of social change. You then watch this week's media, paying close attention to "Introduction" With Dr. Seligman. As you explore these resources, consider how you, as a scholar-practitioner, can effect social change when working with diverse client populations.

Post an explanation of how counseling and psychotherapy theories can contribute to your professional development as a scholar-practitioner. Then, explain how these theories can help you to effect social change in your community and empower a diverse range of clients and families to make changes in their lives. Finally, describe the type(s) of clients you would like to work with and why.