Advocating Eclecticism: My Constructed Counseling Theory

In an attempt to construct one’s personal theory, it is important to explore the tenets and
underpinnings of four counseling therapies such as the psychoanalytic, the Adlerian, existential,
cognitive-behavioral, and person-centered therapies. All these therapies and their underlying
approaches, strengths, and weaknesses have been reviewed in order to identify which of these
may be adapted. In line with this, is an integrative or eclectic approach to counseling logical and
effective?

Towards an Integrative Approach to Counseling

What is the rationale behind adapting an integrative approach to counseling? The idea behind the
integrative approach is synthesis. Thus, the strengths and weaknesses of various theories are
considered, evaluated, and combined towards a more integrative theory. In the end, all means
from various theories are exhausted entirely for the client’s benefit (Arkowitz, 1997). Integrative
counseling, by definition, is the process of choosing ideas and approaches from differing
systems, forming a logical synthesis of the positive features of each theory. More often than not,
it is a clear manifestation of the therapists’ world view and personality (Goldfried & Castonguay,
1992).

Integration is logical since it is apparent that no theory has all the answers in addressing
psychopathology. This is especially true when one considers the diversity of the clients who seek
therapy or counseling. Since there is no theory which can validly claim exclusive effectiveness, it
is logical to adapt integrative techniques in undertaking counseling (Lazarus, 1996). This is
agreed by the practitioners who consider themselves as being ‘eclectic’ in their approach to
therapy, citing and borrowing from a wide range of therapeutic practices. In essence, this is
composed of techniques which are useful from various perspectives and synthesizing and
applying them into one’s own practice. However, one should also be cautious of being
‘syncretic’, an individual who does not have a particular logic in selecting ideas from various
perspectives and doing it without theoretical or even practical background. The outcome may not
only be ineffective but may even be damaging to the client in the end (Lazarus, Beutler, &
Norcross, 1992).

There are also various means in order to attain such an eclectic approach in counseling. One may
opt to combine techniques or theories from various schools of thought in counseling. Again, this
is anchored on the principle that a combination of theories would be more substantial and
meaningful than the assumptions subsumed in a lone theoretical framework (Norcross &
Newman, 1992).