Counselling And Pychotherapy Reflective Journal Analysis

Introduction

This reflective journal explores different approaches to the practice of counselling and psychotherapy. The personal reflections and prior assumptions of a potential therapist are examined, alongside the merits of each approach, and compared to some of the theoretical hypotheses and explanations of practical techniques commonly employed by the Adlerian, Existential and Gestalt approaches to counselling and psychotherapy.

For a therapist contemplating a career in counselling, the journal writing process serves as an introductory guide to evaluating and understanding the major theoretical approaches to therapeutic practice. Each journal entry provides a review of the potential therapist’s pre-reading understanding of each approach.

With the subject matter fresh in my mind, I also realised that I had unconsciously integrated concepts and techniques from therapeutic approaches into some of my interpersonal

However, recent empirical research reveals that Gestalt therapy can be efficacious and has potential for use by contemporary evidence-based practitioners (2004, p. 183). As such, I proceeded to analyse the theory of Geller and Greenberg (2002), and the proposal that deep relational contact is only possible with presence. I had realised the therapeutic benefits of listening with interest, and the value of my presence within my own relationships. According to Geller & Greenberg, ideal conditions for the therapeutic relationship in Gestalt therapy represent expressions of a deeper form of experience which involves being fully present in the moment with the client. (2002, pp. 84 -