The Settings, Processes,

Methods, and Tools in

Counseling
The Settings, Processes, Methods, and Tools in
Counseling
• Counselors work in various settings- from government to private sectors, to civil society
to school setting. Drawing on a wide range of processes, methods, and tools, counselors
are trained to use what is appropriate for the setting and relative to their specialty. There
are classical approaches informed by theories to counseling that scaffold their process and
selection of methods and tools.
Counseling Approaches

Psychoanalysis
• represented by Sigmund Freud
• a theory of personality, an approach to psychotherapy, and method of investigation founded by
Sigmund Freud
• the assumption is that there are inner battles that are waged in a client that are directly
responsible for the appearance of symptoms and behavioral problems
• emphasizes the role of early childhood experiences
• early childhood experiences: dictate us of who we are as an adult
 Behaviorism
• behavior and mental processes are determined by our environment
• all psychological disorders are a result of maladaptive learning that all behavior is learnt from our
environment and symptoms are acquired through classical and operant conditioning
• Classical conditioning – involves learning by association; introduced by Ivan Pavlov
• Operant conditioning – involves learning by reinforcement; introduced by B.F. Skinner
• The therapeutic techniques used in this type of treatment are action-based and rooted in the theories of
classical conditioning and operant conditioning and utilize the same learning strategies that led to the
formation of unwanted behaviors. Behavioral therapy tends to be highly focused on teaching clients new
behaviors to minimize or eliminate the issue.
Humanistic Perspective
• behavior and mental processes are determined by our need to fulfill our potential
• attempted to understand the conscious mind, free will, human dignity, and the capacity
for self-reflection and growth
• the human potential for change requires only exercise of the distinctively human
capacities for choice, creativity, and drive toward self-actualization
• humanistic therapeutic models are rooted in insight and focus on self-development,
growth, and responsibilities
• they seek to gain self-empowerment by recognizing their strengths, creativity and choice
in the given circumstances
 The Settings in Counseling

• Government Setting – Work with the various government agencies that have counseling services such as social welfare,
correctional department, the court system, child and women affairs services, military, police, hospitals, foster homes, and
rehabilitation centers.
• Private Sectors Setting – Counselors range from independent providers of services or work for NGOs, or specialized for
profit centers and organizations that render a variety of counseling services.
• Civil Society Setting – The context of civil society is generally charities or non-profit and issue-based centers or
organizations such as for abused women, abandoned children and elderly, veterans, teachers, professionals or religious
groups.
• Community Setting – Has the greatest and widest application of counseling services considering the
diversity of people. There are people who are in conflict with the law, socially marginalized, people who
suffer loss of all kind, those living in institutional homes, and those experiencing different life
transitions.
• School Setting – In the school setting, the role of school counselor is more complex since the needs of
students can vary widely.