UNIT-5&6
COUNSELLING

APPROACHES TO COUNSELLING
an “approach” in psychology refers to “perspective or view”
having certain “assumptions and beliefs” about the behavior
of human beings.
To deal with the diverse nature of human behavior the
approaches would be different.
Three counseling approaches that are fall under humanistic
and behavioral approaches of psychology:
1. Client-centered approach
2. Behavioral approach
3. Gestalt approach

1-CLIENT CENTERED COUNSELING
INTRODUCTION
 The client-centered approach also called as person-centered
counseling is humanistic in nature.
 The core emphasis of this approach is on the client’s “self-
exploration "and “self-direction” to overcome the difficulties and
controlling their own destiny by seeking assistance.
 The basic assumption of the approach is that people are
trustworthy and capable of resolving their problems without the
direct intervention provided by the counselor or therapist.
 It is assumed that under adverse conditions person may not
develop fully. So, favorable conditions are necessary to grow.
 Aim of this approach is to strengthen and developing an accurate
self-concept of the client to increase client’s self-esteem and
openness to experiences.

1-CLIENT CENTERED COUNSELING
• Strength
• 1. Clients feel more comfortable and satisfied because they
are listened not judge.
• 2. Clients feel more enlightened in client-centered
counseling because, they make their own decisions because
it is the client who knows which need to be changed.
• 3. Strong client and therapist interpersonal relationship
based on trust, genuineness and empathy.
• 4. Approach is more optimistic than other approaches
focuses on internal capacities to deal with the problem.
• 5. Have multi-cultural perspectives and implications.

1-CLIENT CENTERED COUNSELING
• Weaknesses
• 1. Counselor’s role is as a facilitator and supporter without
challenging the client or making their own interpretation.
• 2. Just listening and caring is not enough to diagnose and solve the
problem.
• 3. Sometimes counselor is passive. If the therapy is non-directive
it could not be effective.
• 4. This approach is unrealistically optimistic.
• 5. Less expected to be useful with those who are not self-
motivated to change.
• 6. May not be effective for those who endorsed the psychopath
• 7. Lack appropriate techniques to deal with problems rather

1-CLIENT CENTERED COUNSELING
Areas of applications
The client-centered approach has found to be effective
with individuals, groups and families.
 It is effective in treating the wide range of problems
such as anxiety disorders, psychosomatic problems,
depression, and personality disorders and with those
who are facing interpersonal difficulties.
This approach is more beneficial for those who are
intrinsically motivated to change.
 Best fit for those who, wants to enhance their self-
reliance and innate abilities to solve their problems.

AREAS OF APPLICATIONS
The basic approach has also application to
education from elementary to graduate level.
The approach allows the teacher to discover
their own path to freedom and personal
development and growth.
 client-centered climate in classrooms lead
towards more learning, more problem solving
and more creativity. Such climate offers the
students to become self-directed and
responsible for their choices that facilitate

BEHAVIOURAL COUNSELING
Introduction
 Behavioural counseling approach is based on the
assumption that environment determines the human
behaviour.
 People respond to particular situation in a particular way
because that behaviour has been reinforced at their
childhood.
 Behaviourist believed that if the behaviour is “learned” so it
can also be “unlearnt”.
 The goal of this approach is to modify the undesirable
behaviour and adapt the new appropriate behaviour that is
desirable. Rather than identifying the root cause of the
problem.

BEHAVIOURAL COUNSELING
Strengths
1. Behavioural approach of counseling is rich, has wide
variety of techniques that may be utilized.
2. Put greater emphasis on ethical consideration and
accountability by addressing the “how to change
behaviour”.
3. Uses scientific methods to validate the treatment
outcomes empirically.
4. There no bias related to what behaviour should be
changed.

Weaknesses
1. Theoretically based on assumptions that are
formed by working with animals.
2. It only provides the description of behaviour on
the basis of “stimulus-response”.
3. It only deals with symptoms of the problem
rather than the issues and causes.
4. It does not provide the in-depth understanding of
the underlying concepts and problems why
change is needed.
5. Free will and cognitive process are denied in
some counseling process.

BEHAVIOURAL COUNSELING AREAS OF
APPLICATIONS
 Behavioural approach to counseling is used to treat various
psychological disorders; anxiety disorders, depression,
interpersonal and marital problems, chronic mental
conditions, childhood disorders, eating disorders and
obsessive-compulsive disorder etc.
 It can also be applied to resolve the problem of school
children such as lateness, truancy (consistent inconsistency
in school attendance) and poor study habits and skills.
 It is also be beneficial to teach social and communication
skills, to increase student's self-efficacy and self-esteem.
 The wide range of behavioural techniques and methods are
used to fulfill the needs of wide diversity of individuals to
learn the appropriate behaviour.

GESTALT COUNSELING
Introduction
 “Gestalt” which means whole comprises of two or more
interrelated parts.
 It rejects the dualities of mind, body and soul because perls had
the view that people are not made of separate parts, they function
as a whole.
 Wholeness refers to the integration of person’s mind and body as
a unit rather than as separate parts.
 It also refers to the persons working in relation to environment by
filling all their parts (mind, soul, body, thinking and feelings)
together into the environment.
 The goal of gestalt counseling is to produce the awareness of self,
others and the environment that bring about growth.
 For being psychologically healthy a person should or has to be

STRENGTH
1.Several empirical researches support this
approach.
2.Gestalt therapy is as useful as other therapies
especially its impact is greater in treating
various disorders.
3.It is effective approach in treating personality
disorders and its effect is stable.
4.This approach work with past and make it
relevant to the future.
5.It is a versatile and flexible having several

WEAKNESSES
1.This approach demands high on the part of
counselor to be personally highly developed.
2.It lacks sound theoretical background.
3. Diagnosis and testing techniques are not
involved rather only deals with “here and now”
4.It has greater emphasis on self development
so considered as self-centered approach to
counseling.
5. Potential threat in this approach is the over
authority of the counselor and threat to abuse

GESTALT COUNSELING AREAS OF
APPLICATION
It is used to provide therapeutic treatment for the
anxiety, depression and clients with personality
disorders.
While applied to treat children with anxiety and
depression that block their emotions and senses, the
counselor can apply various techniques to foster and
regulate the child’s natural capacities and self-
regulatory process.
It is helpful and effective with overly socialized and
reserved clients.
However, it is not appropriate approach to deal with
the clients that are severely disturbed, and with fragile

THANKS
ALLAH HAFIZ