Scenario:
You have trained to be an eclectic counsellor, which means you have an understanding of many
different models and approaches to help you choose the right way of interacting with your clients to
meet their own specific needs. Client A has presented a difficult history of interactions with his
parents which resulted in him leaving home in his late teens. He has had little contact with them since
then and has gradually become more dependent on the use of alcohol to help him cope with his
feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, depression and increasing isolation from his other family
members and friends.
Identify what the key differences are between these theories and state which of these approaches
might be the most suitable to help client A.
In Counselling, Psychodynamic Theory, Person-Centred Theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
are all used to help a variety of mental and emotional struggles; some approaches may be more
suited to specific issues and therefore a Counsellor may focus on the use of one theory. Whereas an
Eclectic Counsellor will take the most relevant elements from each theory based on the Client's
unique needs and adopt a tailored approach.
In order to fully understand how to help a person, we must identify which theory is best for the
Client, as opposed to our own preference of Counselling style. It is therefore important to look at the
differences which are as follows:
1. Unlike the Person Centred Theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the Psychodynamic Theory
focuses on the importance of Insight as an essential element for the Client to achieve positive
progress.
2.Psychodynamic Theory works on the belief that Insight arises from the Client's unconscious
thoughts, whereas in the Person Centred Theory, we are to believe that insight arises from the
Client's feelings and current understanding.
3. Psychodynamic Theory works on the belief that early childhood experiences influence our adult
life and we have very little control over this; however, in the Person-Centred theory it is believed that
our free will influences us.
4. Person-Centred Theory does not use any techniques, unlike Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and
simply relies on the personal qualities of the Counsellor to develop a non-judgmental and
empathetic relationship.
5. Person-Centred Theory suggests focussing on the Client's own perspectives will better help them,
whereas Psychodynamic Theory focuses on unconscious motives and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
focusses on other interpretations.
6. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy differs from Psychodynamic and Person-Centred Theories by
focussing on changing maladaptive thinking and beliefs, as opposed to finding the root cause.
7. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is solution focussed and is therefore more adapted to using to help
with specific concerns, as opposed to using for more complex concerns which the Psychodynamic
Theory focuses on.
In summary, the Psychodynamic Theory views a Client as having unconscious conflicts which causes
the symptoms they are experiencing, and the aim of this theory is to identify the issues and to then
help the Client resolve them. Person-Centred Theory focuses on the importance of the Client's
personal growth, development and full potential; the Client is encouraged to explore their thoughts,
feelings and behaviours in a non-judgmental and empathetic environment which the Counsellor has
You have trained to be an eclectic counsellor, which means you have an understanding of many
different models and approaches to help you choose the right way of interacting with your clients to
meet their own specific needs. Client A has presented a difficult history of interactions with his
parents which resulted in him leaving home in his late teens. He has had little contact with them since
then and has gradually become more dependent on the use of alcohol to help him cope with his
feelings of loneliness, worthlessness, depression and increasing isolation from his other family
members and friends.
Identify what the key differences are between these theories and state which of these approaches
might be the most suitable to help client A.
In Counselling, Psychodynamic Theory, Person-Centred Theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
are all used to help a variety of mental and emotional struggles; some approaches may be more
suited to specific issues and therefore a Counsellor may focus on the use of one theory. Whereas an
Eclectic Counsellor will take the most relevant elements from each theory based on the Client's
unique needs and adopt a tailored approach.
In order to fully understand how to help a person, we must identify which theory is best for the
Client, as opposed to our own preference of Counselling style. It is therefore important to look at the
differences which are as follows:
1. Unlike the Person Centred Theory and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the Psychodynamic Theory
focuses on the importance of Insight as an essential element for the Client to achieve positive
progress.
2.Psychodynamic Theory works on the belief that Insight arises from the Client's unconscious
thoughts, whereas in the Person Centred Theory, we are to believe that insight arises from the
Client's feelings and current understanding.
3. Psychodynamic Theory works on the belief that early childhood experiences influence our adult
life and we have very little control over this; however, in the Person-Centred theory it is believed that
our free will influences us.
4. Person-Centred Theory does not use any techniques, unlike Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and
simply relies on the personal qualities of the Counsellor to develop a non-judgmental and
empathetic relationship.
5. Person-Centred Theory suggests focussing on the Client's own perspectives will better help them,
whereas Psychodynamic Theory focuses on unconscious motives and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
focusses on other interpretations.
6. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy differs from Psychodynamic and Person-Centred Theories by
focussing on changing maladaptive thinking and beliefs, as opposed to finding the root cause.
7. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is solution focussed and is therefore more adapted to using to help
with specific concerns, as opposed to using for more complex concerns which the Psychodynamic
Theory focuses on.
In summary, the Psychodynamic Theory views a Client as having unconscious conflicts which causes
the symptoms they are experiencing, and the aim of this theory is to identify the issues and to then
help the Client resolve them. Person-Centred Theory focuses on the importance of the Client's
personal growth, development and full potential; the Client is encouraged to explore their thoughts,
feelings and behaviours in a non-judgmental and empathetic environment which the Counsellor has
