Week 3 Readings & Resources
Week 3 Objectives
After successful completion of this week’s module, the student will be able to:
● Explain the philosophy and basic assumptions underlying Existential Theory and Gestalt Therapy.
● Define and describe the key concepts of both Existential and Gestalt Therapies and how they are incorporated into the therapeutic process.
● Analyze the strengths and the shortcomings of Existential and Gestalt Therapies as applied to diverse populations.
● Describe and infer contemporary trends in Existential and Gestalt Therapies.
● Compare and contrast the role of the counselor when utilizing Existential and Gestalt theoretical models.
● Develop self-awareness of how theoretical models correspond with personal values and views on change.
Required Readings & Resources
Corey, G. (2024). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy (11th ed.).
● Chapter 6: “Existential Therapy”
● Chapter 8: “Gestalt Therapy”
What is Gestalt Therapy?
Links to an external site.
Theories of Counseling – Existential Therapy
Links to an external site.
Gwen Therapy Videos:
● Chapter 6: Existential Therapy
● Links to an external site.
●
● Chapter 8: Gestalt Therapy
● Links to an external site.
●
Part A-Discussion: Existential Therapy
Review the Discussion Requirements for this course before responding to the prompt below.
The focus of existential therapy is the occurrence of anxiety (angst) when a client is confronted with a conflict inherent in life either past or present. The therapist’s role is to help focus the client on personal responsibility for making decisions that produce a positive future outlook, and the therapist may choose to integrate some humanistic approaches and techniques. It is vitally important that clients accept current angst so that they can reach their potential and build a positive future. Existential therapy has four key themes, often known as pillars, that forge a universal human existence – death, meaning, isolation, and freedom.
Watch the following videos, and discuss the prompts:
● Theories of Counseling – Existential Therapy
● Links to an external site.
●
● Chapter 6: Existential Therapy
● Links to an external site.
●
Prompts:
● Think about your own existential anxieties. What are they? How will you keep them from interfering with your ability to provide treatment?
● Explain the importance of the “4 Pillars of Existence” to how a therapist would interact with a client.
● After watching the video of Gwen:
○ What existential themes are you gathering from Gwen in this particular session?
○ How would you summarize Gwen’s feelings from an existential perspective?
○ If you were Gwen’s therapist, how would you respond to what she was saying?
Provide at least two article resources (other than the videos) to support your thought process and comments. Citations and the reflection must be formatted according to the APA guidelines.
Note: This is a post-first discussion; therefore, you will not be able to view others’ posts until you have first submitted your initial response.
Part B-Essay: Channels of Resistance
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Watch the following videos before completing writing your essay:
● What is Gestalt Therapy?
● Links to an external site.
●
● Chapter 8: Gestalt Therapy
● Links to an external site.
●
Write an essay with a minimum of 600 words. The essay is split into 2 parts containing a minimum of 300 words per part. Use the headings below to delineate your writing content.
Part I: Gestalt
● Discuss the basic principles of Gestalt therapy and the five major channels of resistance.
● In Gestalt therapy, the focus is on staying with the here-and-now experience of the client. What potential advantages or disadvantages do you see in this emphasis on the present moment in therapy?
● What is the main difference between techniques and experiments?
● What are some cultural considerations in making Gestalt interventions?
Part II: Gwen Video
● Consider Gwen’s desire to “get back on track.” Propose an experiment related to her concerns about her relationship. How would you introduce this experiment to Gwen, and what would you do to encourage her as she worked through it?
● As Gwen talks about her relationship with her husband, what aspects of her here-and-now processing would you like her to be more aware of if you were her therapist?
● How would you use confrontation with Gwen, without jeopardizing the therapeutic relationship?
Provide at least two article resources (other than the videos) to support your thought process and comments. Citations and the reflection must be formatted according to the APA guidelines.