My Reflections of the Theoretical Approaches to

Group Counseling
The key concepts of the Adlerian theory are very stimulating. For example, how the use
of the family constellation or the climate of relationships among family members, helps clients
gain fuller understanding of the current influence of their family on them (Corey, 2016). Another
technique that is fascinating is the use of encouragement. The learner frequently uses
encouragement in the classroom.
The Existential approach focuses on choices, self-determination, and responsibility to
shape ones life (Corey, 2016). This also involves positive thinking, which is something that the
learner loves to do. The learner loves to encourage students that they can do anything they want
with hard work and dedication.
The fact that Jacob L. Moreno developed psychodrama as an approach to psychotherapy
is genius. Role playing is a technique that school counselors could use in their sessions with
children, and most importantly, it is fun. The learner is looking forward to this technique.
The Existential Approach to psychotherapy address four givens of existence, which are
freedom and responsibility, existential isolation, meaninglessness, and death (Corey, 2016). The
learner liked that many other techniques from other models can be incorporated into this model.
The functions of the group leader of the Person-Centered theory are very promising for
the school counselor. The counselor would be the facilitator and the group would be the ones
responsible for finding their own direction with minimal help from the counselor. The client is

the primary agent of change and the relationship members have with the facilitator provides a
supportive structure within clients self-healing capacities are activated (Corey, 2016, p. 269).
Of course, the group leader doesnt just sit there. The group leader would be responsible for
providing the therapeutic conditions for the group to grow. The group leader would also be
responsible for fostering trust within group members, and as a leader showing the core
therapeutic attitudes which are genuineness, positive regard and acceptance, and empathic
understanding are vital. The learner frequently uses these therapeutic attitudes in the classroom.
They are very important for the students to know that the teacher genuinely cares for them.
Unlike the Person-Centered Theory, The Gestalt approach focuses more on the clientcounselor relationship in that they are more like partners (Corey, 2016, p. 302). The theory itself
focuses more on the here and now and has very promising interventions that can be used with
children. The interventions are creative, that help the children perceive, feel and experience. This
hand on approach can sometimes be more helpful that the therapists explanations. The learner
loves for students to feel rather than lecture and tell them what is wrong.
The Transactional Analysis is ideally suited for groups (Corey, 2016, p. 327). It involves
concepts that can be easily understood by children and can be promising in the schools. The need
and understanding for human stokes is a good example of how to accomplish discussion and
interaction among group members. Also, the group leader acts as a facilitator so people can
discover themselves.
The learner really liked the Cognitive Behavioral Approaches to group therapy. They are
very structured and systematic. It fits well in schools with a diverse range of students. Children
learn emotional, and behavioral self-control through understanding three very important

components; thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The learner wishes that every teacher applies
some of these techniques in the classroom.
The Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy is also great to use in schools. The learner
especially likes the A-B-C theory of personality and emotional disturbance. And just like the
CBT, the REBT offers homework assignments to reinforce the skills learned in the session.
The Choice Theory/Reality Therapy has a system to illustrate the key procedures that can
be applied in the practice of reality therapy called WDEP System. It focuses on the W for the
wants, the D for doing, the E for self-evaluation, and P for planning (Corey, 2016). The fact that
it is so systematic is awesome.
It is interesting how other forms of therapy were introduced by Insoo Kim Berg, Steve de
Shazer, and William R. Miller. The Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Motivational
Interviewing were founded by them. The uniqueness about these theories is that it is focuses on
solutions, not problems (Corey, 2016).