Assignment: Integrating Theories

In this course, we have studied various approaches to therapy and explored the utility of each orientation with reference to the client.  For this assignment, take the perspective of a therapist working with clients. This will help you honestly assess your own development and more objectively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of using an integrative approach to counseling. Answer each of the following questions thoroughly and provide examples where requested to substantiate your points.

1. Do you think therapists should focus on becoming an expert in one particular counseling approach or should they try to become proficient in more than one approach? Provide an explanation for your answer and illustrate them with examples.

2. Identify what the three most important characteristics of a successful counselor you consider to be. Describe how these characteristics can be developed or strengthened?

3. Identify and describe some of the characteristics (from question 2) that are best developed in the counseling process with clients?  Support your points with examples? Identify and describe some areas of personal or professional development that would potentially be unethical for the counselor to develop in the counseling process with clients? Explain your rationale in detail and give examples.

4. What are some of your own personal motivations and characteristics that may help or hinder you as a counselor (identify at least two)?

5. What areas of your own personal and professional development need the most development before you will feel prepared to be an effective counselor (identify at least three)?

6. What are two advantages and two disadvantages of practicing within the framework of one specific theory as opposed to developing a more integrative approach consisting of several therapies? Give a detailed description and rationale for both sides.

7. What are the advantages and disadvantages of practicing within an integrated framework?

8. Explain at least two techniques you would use in your treatment and describe how you would integrate these techniques in a therapy session.