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4 Theories of Adolescent Counseling

The purpose of this essay is to discuss the clinical application of four theories of counseling to the population of mentally, emotionally and physically abused adolescents. The four theories selected for discussion are: (1) Behavior Therapy; (2) Adlerian Therapy; (3) Gestalt Therapy; and (4) Transactional Therapy.

According to Pervin (1980), the behavioral approach to therapy holds that all of human behavior is learned behavior. Therefore, child/adolescent abuse is a behavior the abusers have learned through the same principles and processes producing learning of any other behavior. According to behavior theory, what is needed to end the abuse is learning that operates to extinguish (terminate) the abusive response.

Regarding abusive behavior, Papalia and Olds (1992) have noted that behavior therapists, in their work with abusive families, do not look for the underlying psychodynamics giving rise to the behavior. Typically, they also do not offer family members insights into personality, interactive, or background variables involved in the etiology of the abuse.

Instead, behavior therapists simply focus on changing the abusive behavior. Their tools are varied and can include reinforcement (positive and/or negative), modeling, operant conditioning, and so forth. According to Wolfe, Edwards, Manion and Koverola (1988), behavior therapy works best in the area of preventing abuse.

For example, the authors discuss a behavior therapy program that aims at preventing child abuse by working with at-risk parents (many of whom are adolescent parents with a history of being abused themselves). The program involves providing these parents with simple strategies and techniques for managing child behavior.

Strategies include the use of positive reinforcers such as praise, smiles and some negative reinforcers such as the application of time-out techniques. The program also teachers parents how to work with children/adoles...

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4 Theories of Adolescent Counseling. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 06:30, March 29, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1681383.html