Mental Health Theories and Counselling - Essay Example

There are many different approaches to mental health counseling such as behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalytical, etc. Whether the counseling is done on an individual or group level, in both cases the MHC starts the session with a definite theoretical approach to the case. This is necessary as theories serve as maps that guide the counselor as to the handling of the client. Each theory provides the MHC with direction and goals for the clients and helps in evaluating the effectiveness of counseling. MHCs emphasize the patient’s environment with a comprehensive perspective to treat dysfunction or any pathological condition if necessary. (Hershenson & Strein, 1991) Five different theoretical approaches are psychoanalytic, behavioral, client-centered, cognitive, and affective.

The MHC using this approach assumes the role of being a genuine and empathic friend towards the client sharing experiences and working to build the client's confidence, which in turn helps in positive changes in the client's self-awareness and attitude. This particular approach requires a personal touch that is lacking in many lives in today’s fast-paced world. I gravitate towards this theory as it coincides with my belief that connecting at a personal level is important to nurture the human psyche and is the missing element and cause of many present-day mental health problems. (Vacc and Loesch, 2000)

2. Integrated and eclectic approaches
One common trend in counseling is that of eclectics and integration. That is a combination of methods used to treat the patient depending on his particular requirements. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is a practical approach that combines eclectics and integration. TTM provides an integrative structure to counseling theories. It is developed to combine various aspects of counseling without detaching practice from theory. (Petrocelli, 2002)

TTM is useful in many situations, especially for workplace counseling, youth counseling educational institutions, etc. A major reason for this is that the client has only a limited number of interactions with the MHC who has to treat a variety of problems for which it is necessary to decide the most suitable technique on the spot. The MHC must gather information and associated facts to assess the patient’s mental, emotional, and or behavioral problems or disorders. They work to help the patient efficiently adapt to the distress they face. Furthermore, the first duty of the counselor is to resolve the current issues of the client whom he may refer to a specialist for further treatment if deemed necessary.

3. Strengths and weaknesses
Since individuals are integrated beings, an integrative approach to counseling that involves a combination of cognitive, behavioral, and affective techniques serves them best. Preston (1998) asserts that no single theoretical model can satisfactorily address the wide range of problems that clients present in therapy. He contends that it is essential for counselors to have a fundamental grasp of various remedial models and to have at their disposal several intervention strategies.

There are some major weaknesses of an integrative model, as opposed to the single theory model. A disorderly eclectic approach can be a pretext for failing to develop a sound foundation for systematically adhering to definite concepts and to the techniques they utilize. If therapists merely choose according to whims, their selection is likely to be a reflection of their bias and predetermined ideas. It is imperative to avoid the trap of emerging with a jumble of unsystematic theories thrown hastily together. (Gerald Corey, no date)
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