Counseling Psychology

Counseling Psychology: An Integrated Positive Approach introduces a new dimension in counseling psychology which includes both symptom treatment and positive psychology; this unique approach guides readers to enhance clients’ positive potential, rather than focusing solely on the treatment of clients’ negative symptoms.

• An integrative counseling approach which maximizes graduate students’ understanding of counseling theories and positive psychology
• Enables counselors to tailor integrative counseling to multicultural clients, helping graduate students and mental health professionals become culturally sensitive
• Discusses how clients manage day to day living, and can even thrive despite severe symptoms

Acknowledgments ix

Part I Conceptual Framework 1

1 Introduction: Toward an Integrative Approach in Counseling 3

2 Therapeutic Relationship: Exploring Clients’ Symptoms and Strengths 17

3 Powered by Struggles and Strengths 26

Part II Integration of Counseling Theories and Positive Psychology 43

4 Positive Psychology in Counseling: What is it? 45

5 Psychoanalytic Therapy 57

6 Adlerian Therapy 76

7 Existential Therapy 96

8 Person]Centered Therapy 112

9 Gestalt Therapy 129

10 Behavior Therapy 145

11 Cognitive]Behavior Therapy 163

12 Reality Therapy 181

13 Feminist Therapy 198

14 Family Therapy 218

Appendix 236

References 239

Index 250

Ruth Chu-Lien Chao is Associate Professor at the University of Denver where she teaches diversity, Psychopathology, counseling theories, and counseling practicum. Dr. Chao is the author of Multicultural Competencies in Counseling: A Statistical Exploration (2008) as well as over 60 publications, presentations and book chapters. She was the 2007 recipient of the American Psychological Fund Award and the American Psychological Association Grant Award. In 2005, she received the Outstanding Research Award from the Division 17, APA. Dr. Chao serves as faculty advisor to international scholars from Uzbekistan and Taiwan.

Counseling Psychology: An Integrated Positive Approach introduces a new dimension in counseling psychology by integrating theories and skills on treatment with positive aspects of diverse groups into a comprehensive and integrative approach; in this way, the book guides readers to enhance clients’ positive potential, and attend clients’ symptoms and strengths, rather than focusing solely on the treatment of clients’ negative symptoms. Previous counseling models can often miss why, how, and how far clients go to successfully manage living. Counseling tackles how clients manage day to day living, and how they can thrive despite severe symptoms. Empirical evidence has demonstrated that in failing to acknowledge these issues, current counseling psychology can often fall short of maximizing clients’ strength to reduce symptoms and prevent relapses. It can also overlook their critical dimensions of hope, resilience, and stamina, and in turn fail to take an overall perspective. This book includes traditional counseling psychology and positive psychology to comprehensively cover varied theories and then enhance students’ integration of different theories in counseling.

Finally, as client populations increasingly diversify, the book’s integration of traditional counseling approaches with positive psychology enables counselors to tailor integrative counseling to multicultural clients, helping graduate students and mental health professionals become more culturally sensitive in their practice.

“At last, a positive, integrative, and culturally contextual approach to counseling to help clients lead meaningful and fulfilling lives…ambitious and exciting…Bravo!”

Dr Puncky Heppner, Curators Professor, College of Education, University of Missouri

“In Counseling Psychology: An Integrated Positive Psychological Approach, Ruth Chao provides an engaging and delightful narrative for better incorporation of positive approaches in counseling theories. I heartily recommend this book!”

Glenn E. Good, dean and professor, University of Florida, and author of Counseling and Psychotherapy Essentials: Integrating Theories, Skills, and Practices