As counseling students and practitioners, we know inherently that we must understand counseling theories. We know it is important, but do we really understand why?
As part of this series on critical thinking, in this post I will outline the reasons that counseling theories are important. When we understand why we are doing something, we have a deeper understanding and appreciation of it, which tends to lead toward appropriate use. And what could be more important in the field of counseling than the appropriate use of counseling theories?
1. Theory is the set of rules that is proposed to best explain an observed or hypothesized phenomenon. In counseling, theory gives a counselors a way of consistently understanding and interpreting human thought, feelings and behaviors. Consistent conceptualization of a client’s issue in this way leads toward the most efficient and effective treatments.
2. Theory is like a metaphor — a succinct way of conceptualizing the key underlying factors that account for a client’s thoughts, behavior or feelings. Theory provides generalizations that not only clarify our understanding but may lead us to consider how the same factors may be applied to other situations. In this way, a good theory may help to expand knowledge.
3. Theory helps inexperienced counselors by serving as a “road map.” Early counselors can rely on theory to provide direction and help ensure they will be effective with clients. It also helps more experienced counselors by facilitating their integration of self and external knowledge.
4. Theory is the conduit for research. If we didn’t have a theory, we wouldn’t have anything to test, so we couldn’t do research. Without research, we would have to rely solely on clinical observations on a case-by-case basis to determine effective interventions. We would have no objective and broader means by which to test our subjective observations.
5. The development, testing and application of theory is how humans master nature. To really understand why you are doing something, you must have thought realistically and thoroughly (Rousseau, 1968). To do otherwise is akin to driving about blindly; like driving your car with the lights off. You may accomplish your task, but you probably won’t. Theory is the representation of this knowledge and understanding.
6. Action in counseling must be immediate, under circumstances that may be somewhat unforeseen, complicated, and new. But we don’t have to have all the answers. By utilizing theory we can draw upon the experiences of others that have gone before us (Whitehead, 1916); the “rules of the road.”
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Barbara LoFrisco
References
Rousseau, H.J. (1968). The impact of educational theory on teachers. British Journal of Education Studies, 16(1), 60-71.
Whitehead, A.N. (1916). The organization of thought. Proceedings of the Aristotelian Society, 17, 58-76.
