theoretical Orientation

Theoretical Orientations
Name
Institutional Affiliation
Theoretical Orientations
In the counseling process, theoretical orientation is a crucial concept which involves individual and specialized approaches to different situations. While some people may argue that theoretical orientation is irrelevant and that it is the client outcomes that matter, others argue that positive outcomes may be achieved from specific factors common across models of therapy.
Among the models of therapy include feedback informed treatment (FIT), cognitive behavior therapy, play therapy, mindfulness, choice therapy, positive psychology, interpersonal therapy, and narrative therapy among others. All these models of therapy involve the use of theories in the counseling process. One example of a real-life theoretical orientation is the Jungian Psychotherapy. The Jungian Play therapy is a type of play therapy that has been proved useful in the treatment of adolescent males diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Green et al., 2013). This therapy encourages the use of visuals rather than talk therapy. This kind of theoretical orientation was effective in the treatment of Jeremy, a seventh-grade student diagnosed with ADHD, sequencing difficulties and dysgraphia (Green et al., 2013). The effectiveness of this model shows the general efficacy of using a model-based therapy in counseling. However, some incidences of theoretical orientation turn out futile. Hopcke reported an incident when he conducted therapy on a patient who had extramarital affairs (Hopcke, 2009).

Hopcke says that theoretically, the patient’s emotional experience made him feel powerless to help him, bond with him and out argue him. He ended up focusing on other therapies (Hopcke, 2009).
In conclusion, theoretical orientation may work in some cases whereas it may be ineffective in others. My thinking is that the benefits of theoretical orientation in counseling should not be overlooked. Theoretical orientation creates a clear roadmap for the therapists (especially inexperienced counselors), enables immediate action and provides consistent frameworks for viewing clients’ issues. I strongly recommend theoretical orientation for therapists.
References
Green, E. J., Drewes, A. A., & Kominski, J. M. (2013). Use of mandalas in Jungian play therapy with adolescents diagnosed with ADHD. International Journal of Play Therapy, 22(3), 159. (Green et al., 2013)
Hopcke, R. H. (2009). Synchronicity and psychotherapy: Jung’s concept and its use in clinical work. Psychiatric annals, 39(5). (Hopcke, 2009)