Learning Objectives

Students will:

Identify theorists, timeframes, and major constructs of individual theories

Analyze techniques/interventions associated with individual theories

Evaluate theories in relation to cases

Photo Credit: [Sergey_Nivens]/[iStock / Getty Images Plus]/Getty Images

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Herlihy, D., & Park, C.N. (2016). Feminist theory. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (6th ed., pp. 367–390). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Carrier, J. W., & Mitchell, N. G. (2016). Transpersonal theory. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Counseling and psychotherapy: Theories and interventions (6th ed., pp. 391–418). Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.

Document: Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization Example (Word document)

Document: Case Studies (Word document)

Required Media

Psychotherapy.net. (Producer). (1997c). Feminist therapy [Video file]. Mill Valley, CA: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this video is 2 hours.

Note: You will access this video through the Walden Library course readings guide.

Discussion: Feminist or Transpersonal Counseling: Case Conceptualization

For this Discussion, you will write a case conceptualization as though you were a feminist or transpersonal counselor.

As you review this week’s Learning Resources and media files, note techniques and interventions, and consider the role of a feminist counselor in planning treatment. Further, reflect on feminist therapy with respect to developing your own theoretical orientation. In what ways do you find that feminist therapy may resonate with your own point of view?

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the Post to Discussion Question link, and then select Create Thread to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts—and cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!

To Prepare:

Review this week’s Learning Resources.

Review the feminist therapy video from this week’s Learning Resources. Take note of language and techniques used by the counselor that is specific to this theory.

Review the Psychoanalytic Case Conceptualization Example found in this week’s Learning Resources and use this document to prepare your initial Discussion post.

Select one of the four case studies presented in this week’s Learning Resources, and answer the following points as if you were a feminist or transpersonal counselor. Use your Learning Resources and the notes you took on language and technique from the feminist therapy video to support your conceptualization and integrate examples from the case to support your post. Include the following:

Presenting Problem

Treatment Goals

Identification and explanation of at least two techniques and interventions

Expected Outcome

By Day 3

Post your feminist or transpersonal conceptualization.

Be sure to support your main post with specific references to the Learning Resources using proper APA format and citations. Your response posts may be more conversational and less formal.

Read your colleagues’ postings.

By Day 5

Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ posts and explain whether you believe the proposed case conceptualization is the most beneficial for the case selected and why.

Your responses may be more informal than your main post.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights that you have gained as a result of your colleagues’ comments.

Submission and Grading Information

Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:

Week 7 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5

To participate in this Discussion:

Week 7 Discussion

The way that humans perceive their world is naturally colored by their own thoughts and experiences. In fact, it can be argued that humans are selfish and fairly self-obsessed. Many people do not have an understanding that a single event may be perceived as drastically differently by two people depending on each person’s past and current life experiences.

As a counselor, it is imperative to be cognizant of this natural selfish tendency and to listen carefully as clients describe how they view their circumstances through their unique worldview. By learning how a client’s opinions, assumptions, and reactions affect the way they experience their world, counselors can work with individuals to understand and begin to restructure their life-stories.

The two theories that will be explored this week are feminist and transpersonal theories. These are both relatively recent additions to the field, and they can help broaden your understanding of human perceptions.

Despite the name, feminist theory is not a theory just for women, by women. Growing out of the feminist movement of the 1960s, it has evolved to include anyone whose rights have been oppressed. Consider how your multiple identities and group memberships influence your own worldview.

Transpersonal theory is significantly different from many other theories, as it straddles traditional mental health practices and spiritual care. A transpersonal counselor views a client as a spiritual being and works to consider all elements of the self, including evolving states of consciousness and spiritualism, into treatment. This week, reflect on the dimensions of spirituality and awareness that would affect how an individual perceives his or her world.

Consideration of theories such as these can aid in gaining a better understanding of our clients’/students’ unique relationships with the world and will allow you to work with them to make positive changes in their lives.