INTRODUCTION TO COUNSELLING
THEORIES
FACILITATOR: OSORO M FREDRICK
Counselling Psychologist
0717268348
moengafredrick@gmail.com
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What is a counselling theory?
PD: Early childhood experiences
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DEFINITION
The term "theory" refers to "a well-substantiated
explanation of some aspect of the natural world,
based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly
confirmed through observation and experiment
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FUNCTIONS OF A THEORY
• Boy and Pine (1983) state that there are six functions of
theory in counseling:
• It helps counselors find unity and relatedness within the
diversity of existence.
• It compels counselors to examine relationships they
would otherwise overlook.
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FUNCTIONS OF ATHEORY contd
• It gives counselors operational guidelines by which to
work and helps them evaluate their development as
professionals.
• It helps counselors focus on relevant information and tells
them what to look for.
• It helps counselors assist clients in the effective
modification of their behavior, cognitions, emotional
functioning, and interpersonal relationships.
• It helps counselors evaluate both old and new
approaches to the process of counseling.
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