THEORETICAL APPROACH TO COUNSELING
Benchmark Professional Theoretical Approach to Counseling Assignment
Shannon Fife
Department of Counseling Liberty University
COUC 510 Theories of Counseling
March 3rd, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Many different counseling theories have been studied throughout the weeks in this class.
Knowing each theory and which approach will work best is essential for a future school
counselor. It is also necessary that a counselor identifies his/her appropriate counseling model
that aligns more with their personal views, philosophy on counseling, and their values. As an
Intervention Specialist becoming a school counselor, I believe person-centered therapy would be
the best for middle school students. This therapy will allow me to not only build relationships
with my students, but I will be able to adapt or change how I work with them, depending on what
they need. It will help the students gain independence. My students sometimes need to learn how
to handle certain situations when they arise. So, my job as their school counselor will be to help
them figure it out.
HUMAN NATURE AND CHANGE
As stated in my previous paragraph, personal-centered therapy best fits my values and
beliefs, especially when discussing human nature and change. Each student is unique and will
have different situations or problems that have led them to counseling. As a school counselor,
using the person-centered approach will allow me to build relationships with my students by
allowing them to express their needs and wants in a safe environment. I agree with Carl Rogers's
statement: "People are essentially good, and human nature possesses a basic sense of trust in the
student's ability to move forward in their lives" (Dollarhide, 2018, p.34). A child engages with
