Reflective Journal Assignment Sample

Reflective Journal 1: Gestalt Therapy in Counselling

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Throughout this course, I have studied Gestalt therapy in-depth, looking at its principles and techniques in connection to counselling. Gestalt therapy has changed my life by introducing me to a fresh knowledge of the therapeutic process and the human experience.

One crucial aspect that truly spoke to me was the emphasis on the now. In gestalt therapy, the importance of the present moment is stressed because it recognises that when people fully engage with their current experience, they can develop and recover. This approach combats the tendency to think about the past or the future by urging the counsellor and the client to remain present and focused (Fogarty et al. 2020).

Gestalt therapy also emphasises the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. Gestalt therapy encourages the idea that people have agency and the capacity for decision-making, which helps patients take ownership of their actions and decisions. As they grow more aware of this, people feel more in control of their lives and advance in their personal lives.

It has been demonstrated that gestalt therapy's focus on the therapeutic partnership is enlightening. The relationship between a client and a counsellor is thought to be a cooperative effort characterised by sincerity, empathy, and a true link. Clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and conduct in a safe environment without being concerned about being evaluated thanks to this foundation of trust. It also highlights how important it is for the counsellor to be totally present and self-aware with every client (Bednarek, 2019).

Finally, learning more about Gestalt therapy has helped me comprehend the counselling process better. Its emphasis on the present moment, individual accountability, and the therapeutic connection has helped me better understand effective therapeutic tactics. I can't wait to put these concepts into practise in my future work and to conduct more research on the important effects that Gestalt therapy may have on the growth and recovery of persons who seek counselling.

Reflective Journal 2: Psychodynamic and Adlerian Therapy in Counselling

I have the opportunity to learn about the psychodynamic therapy and adlerian therapy, two well-known counselling philosophies, during this unit. I now have new perspectives on the human mind and the therapeutic process thanks to both of these therapeutic approaches.

With its origins in Freudian philosophy, psychodynamic therapy has helped to illuminate the unconscious mind and the significance of considering early connections and prior experiences. I've discovered that unresolved issues and suppressed sentiments from the past can have a big impact on a person's current attitudes, emotions, and behaviour (Eife et al. 2021). The focus on the therapeutic partnership and the study of transference and countertransference have highlighted how dynamic the counselling process is.

The Adlerian approach, on the other hand, has introduced me to a holistic and individualistic method of therapy. Through the examination of each person's own subjective experience as well as their social and familial interactions, a detailed framework for understanding human behaviour has been constructed. Due to the concept of seeking meaning and the value of understanding the goals and way of life of others, my understanding of the intrinsic motivation that underlies human activity has improved (Bradley, 2022). The collaborative and egalitarian therapeutic relationship of Adlerian therapy has also underlined the role of the counsellor as a facilitator, empowering clients to utilise their own assets and skills.

The significance of counsellors' capacity for self-reflection and self-awareness has been highlighted by both Adlerian and psychodynamic therapies. Counsellors who use these therapeutic techniques must constantly question their own prejudices, beliefs, and actions. Because they are self-aware, counsellors may foster a therapeutic setting that is understanding, non-judgmental, and supportive of their clients' personal development.

Reflective Journal 3: Existential Therapy in Counselling

I have been actively researching existential therapy's distinct viewpoint on human life and the therapeutic process throughout this unit. Existential therapy has provided me with surprising insights while challenging my preconceptions about the nature of counselling and the human experience.

I am also more aware of the therapeutic connection as a result of existential therapy. It highlights the value of the counselor's presence and sincere interactions with the client. The necessity of recognising and investigating the existential precepts of human existence, such as the certainty of death, freedom and responsibility, isolation and connection, and the pursuit of meaning and purpose, is also emphasised by existential therapy (van Deurzen et al. 2019). According to what I've learned through my research, existential therapy provides a distinctive viewpoint that focuses on the patient's subjective experience and how they make meaning of their own existence.

Another idea that is challenged by existential therapy is the idea that suffering is intrinsically unwanted or disordered. Instead, it acknowledges that feeling pain is an essential aspect of being human and that it can spur growth. People can develop resilience, strengthen their sense of self, and uncover their own values and priorities by accepting the difficulties and problems of life.

One of the most important realisations I've had is that existential therapy encourages self-discovery and personal growth rather than aiming to offer pre-packaged solutions or solutions at all.

In conclusion, my viewpoint on counselling has been broadened by my grasp of existential therapy. This strategy has prompted me to reflect profoundly on the most profound aspects of human existence and to approach counselling with empathy, curiosity, and acceptance by examining meaning, authenticity, and the therapeutic connection.

Reflective Journal 4: Person-Centered Therapy in Counselling

Throughout this semester, I have done research on the theories and practises of person-centered treatment. The client is the centre of attention while using this humanistic approach to treatment. My experience with person-centered therapy has provided me with priceless insights on the roles that empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard play in fostering client growth and self-discovery.

The underlying idea of person-centered therapy, which emphasises the client's innate capacity for self-actualization and personal growth, really calls to me. This approach recognises that everyone has the capacity to reach their full potential, and that a counselor's role is to enable this process in a safe environment. The counsellor helps clients to freely explore their thoughts, feelings, and experiences by exhibiting empathy, acceptance, and real warmth. It encourages self-knowledge and self-discovery (Garcia et al. 2023).

Unconditional positive regard is another transforming idea in person-centered therapy. Because they are aware that they won't be rejected or held in contempt for who they are, clients feel comfortable in the counselor's embracing and nonjudgmental presence. Clients are able to explore their genuine desires and objectives and create a more positive self-concept as a result of getting this unwaveringly encouraging attention.

Additionally, person-centered therapy has its roots in the idea of empathic understanding. Building trust and assisting the client's self-examination can be achieved by having a thorough understanding of their subjective experience and reflecting it back to them. The empathetic connection gives the client a sense of being heard and being understood by validating their thoughts and experiences.

I've been able to redefine counselling from a position that values each client's autonomy and sense of identity thanks to person-centered therapy. My comprehension of the therapeutic process and the potency of the therapeutic relationship have improved as a result of the emphasis on empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard.

References

• Fogarty, M., Bhar, S. and Theiler, S., 2020. Development and validation of the gestalt therapy fidelity scale. Psychotherapy Research, 30(4), pp.495-509.
• Bednarek, S., 2019. How wide is the field?: Gestalt therapy, capitalism and the natural world. Gestalt Journal of Australia and New Zealand, 15(2), pp.18-42.
• Eife, G., Mansager, E. and Witte, K.H., 2021. Adlerian Depth Psychotherapy: Intersubjective and Relational Elements. The Journal of Individual Psychology, 77(3), pp.286-304.
• Bradley, R., 2022. Exploring the Inferiority Model in Adlerian Psychotherapy.
• van Deurzen, E., Craig, E., Längle, A., Schneider, K.J., Tantam, D. and du Plock, S., 2019. The Wiley World Handbook of Existential Therapy.
• Garcia, D., Cloninger, K.M. and Cloninger, C.R., 2023. Coherence of character and temperament drives personality change toward well being in person-centered therapy. Current Opinion in Psychiatry, 36(1), pp.60-66.