Theory for Understanding and Treating Mental Illness - Thesis Example

Carl Rogers Theory for Understanding and Treating Mental Illness: A Paradigm Paper Carl Rogers Theory for Understanding and Treating Mental Illness: A Paradigm Paper Diagnosis and treatment of mental illness can take a chemical approach by using antipsychotics, or a non-chemical approach including psychotherapy. The latter is the most encouraged approach as it has minimal effects on the physiology of the patient. Psychotherapy has six main categories including psychoanalysis, behavioral therapy, cognitive therapy, humanistic approach and integrative therapy. Integrative therapy involves a combination of any of the other five approaches; it is the most used approach due to the limitations of exclusively using a single approach. Carl Rogers (1902 - 1987) proposed the humanistic approach to psychotherapy that differs from other approaches since it is patient-centered as opposed to problem centered. The theory assumes that people are inherently positive and they express their positivity whenever exposed to suitable environmental conditions. In addition, it assumes that all people have the capacity to come up with solutions for their problems with as little as subtle guidance by a caring therapist. Therefore, all a therapist does in the application of this theory is to create an enabling environment for a patient to come up with a solution for their psychotic disorders (Mnsterberg, 2006). This paradigm paper discusses the relevance, application, strengths and weaknesses of the theory in reference to its application in psychotherapy. Relevance Many studies have shown that people express their humanity best if their basic, secondary and tertiary needs are met according to the Maslows hierarchy of needs. This has made many psychologists turn from taking a pessimistic stance, and approach life from an angle that research and practice have proven to produce positive results (Burger, 2010). For instance, the Freudian psychoanalysis theory proposes that people have the potential for adopting destructive habits due to their experience in psychosexual development. However, the humanistic approach attempts to view individuals as the products of their personal experience, whereby one is more likely to benefit from positive experience than losing from negative experiences. On a personal level, I prefer to believe that I have a high propensity to be the best I can be provided I get a chance to do so. I believe that if the human mind creates a problem for a person, then there are many solutions to the problem within the person, and one has only to be in a social environment that allows the expression of these solutions. Therefore, the Carl Rogers theory is most appropriate as one gets the chance to show one’s positive side without prejudice and presumptions on the side of the psychologist. Patient Populations A humanistic theory is suitable for people who prefer to take a nonconventional approach to life; this requires a freethinking mind, and non-attachment to ones beliefs and perceptions. For instance, it is normal for people to look for the worst in their daily experiences instead of appreciating whatever favorable results may amount from their predicaments. In addition, this theory is suitable for the people that have encountered disasters in their lives; especially since these people are the ones that can appreciate a holistic therapy. However, this approach is unsuitable for clients who believe that their view of life is the correct one, and there is nothing that can be done to change their views. A good example of these people is those who believe that reactions of people are genetically predetermined. For this last group, a psychologist should use the Freudian psychoanalytic theory since it is in line with their perceptions of life (Burger, 2010). In addition, it is only suitable for mild to medium conditions, such that it cannot be used for clients who have lost a significant portion of their cognitive ability. Therefore, the Carl Rogers humanistic theory has limited application with respect to scope and clientele. Treatment Techniques The principal therapeutic technique in Rogers theory humanistic therapy is reflection; the therapist does not interrupt a client’s line of thought. All the psychologist does is to embody the patient’s words, and reflect them to the patient in an attempt to determine if the words used are a true reflection of the patient’s feelings. This technique enables a client to express their thoughts, perceptions and feelings as accurately as possible, mainly to ensure that the client feels the full effects of one’s condition before coming up with solutions to problems. Therefore, the patient has a limited likelihood of underestimating or making wrong assumptions about one’s condition. In a humanistic therapeutic session, a patient enjoys more freedom as compare to other approaches to psychological treatment; whereby as few as possible limitations are imposed on what a patient can do or say. The therapist treats the patient as the professional, whereby one is allowed responsibility over ones well-being and the counseling situation; the psychologist acts as the assistant, whereby his/her role is to ensure that the patient is on the right track without changing the course that the patient wants to take. This warm and permissive nature allows a patient to express ones feelings and attitudes as accurately as possible; however, there are behavioral limits to what the client can do. For instance, one can express the desire to break glass or have longer sessions but these desires would not be fulfilled; a necessity that helps the patient in developing a sense of self-control (Rogers, 2003). Finally, the therapist refrains from participating in the session in ways that may interfere with the patient’s attitudes or line of thought including probing, questioning, advising, blaming and suggesting among others. Once these conditions are met, the client explains his or her thoughts to the therapists and continues to explore reactions perceptions and alternatives. The therapist embodies and reflects a patient’s words; and feelings and emotions contained in these words become more apparent to the client. Despite the fact that the patient plays a central role in the therapy, the therapist has to make a correct diagnosis in order to come up with the best approach. For instance, the psychologist has to differentiate between a case of illusion and delusion since both of them require a slightly different approach. In this case, illusion is wrong interpretations of things that exist whereas delusion is strong believe in a phenomenon despite strong contradicting evidence. The psychologist would listen to the patient and analyze the patient’s environment in order to determine the correct psychosis, as well as the level to which it affects the patient’s life. Moreover, making the correct diagnosis is central in formulating the form of assistance that the therapist would need from family members and friends of the client (Rogers, 2003). Optimism and therapy are not enough to ensure improvement of patient condition; the psychologist has to work on the patient’s environment at home and work, in order to ensure that the progress made in therapy sessions is not reversed by poor conditions when the patient leaves to go on with daily life. For instance, after identifying the causative agent of the condition, the psychologist should come up with a strategy that may reduce or eliminate these negative effects. The most effective way is by involving family members and friends in the program as these are the most significant people in a patient’s life. For instance, in case of a delusion, relatives could be encouraged to behave as if it were true in order to minimize their interference in the healing process by confusing the patient due to a negative attitude towards the subject of the delusion. Strengths The theory focuses on the positive nature of people and gives individuals the chance to play a central role in improving their lives; this acts as a self-fulfilling prophesy as people end up getting better on their own accord. Many psychologists have proven that the preconceptions of the specialist have a large bearing on the results of a session with a patient, such that if one is pessimistic, the patient’s condition deteriorates and vice versa. Secondly, the theory fits in with other approaches, such as that most psychologists that use other theories as the basis for their work incorporate Rogers humanistic theory. For instance, a psychologist that uses psychoanalysis on a patient can in use the Rogers’ theory to explain the effects of the interaction between psychosexual factors and a patient’s environment. Finally, the theory is applicable to different situations, professions and discipline, such that any person whose beliefs resonate with those of Rogers can play the role of a counselor effectively as long as one has some background knowledge (Rogers, 2003). Weaknesses The theory does not have exact treatment regimens for conditions, which is a result of the principle of freewill that undermines the ability to analyze the treatment techniques for efficiency and effectiveness. For instance, it is impossible to make an objective diagnosis and come up with appropriate interventions since the psychologist first assumes that the patient is positive without giving the latter the chance to prove one’s situation. Secondly, the humanistic approach is only suitable for minor mental conditions, not severe personality and mental disorders. For instance, it would be irrational to use the approach on a schizophrenic case; thus this approach is limited, and in the face of many existing and emergent physical conditions, this theory is not appropriate for exclusive use in practice. Finally, the positive approach to human behavior does not account for the reasons why some people make the wrong choices repeatedly despite having better options among other human behaviors that are not general to everyone. For instance, there are many underlying factors for every behavior, but a humanistic approach ignores all these factors by assuming that a patient is in control all of one’s cognitive and behavioral faculties (Rogers, 2003). Conclusion Carl Rogers humanistic theory is the best approach in handling mental disorder cases; whereby the therapy centers on the patient as the expert with all the answers and the psychologist plays a supportive role of a facilitator. Moreover, it takes a positivist approach by assuming that each person has inherent positivity within, which is beneficial for both the patient and the therapist as it enables both to focus all their energies of positive characteristics and results of the therapy. However, like all other theories, it has its limitations, most of which come about as a result of multiple generalizations and assumptions. For instance, it assumes that people are homogenous in their reactions to environmental conditions; this reduces the effectiveness of therapy as people are unique and should be treated differently. These and many other shortcomings necessitate a different approach to use of the theory; therefore, it is advisable that the theory be used together with other approaches for a holistic approach to psychotherapy. References Burger, J. M. (2010). Personality. Cengage Learning. Mnsterberg, H. (2006). Psychotherapy. Cosimo, Inc. Rogers, C. R. (2003). Client-centered therapy: Its current practice, implications and theory. Constable. Read More