Well Counselor

If you are currently in your counseling graduate program and concerned that you haven’t yet chosen a theoretical orientation, you are not alone. This is a common source of anxiety among counseling students. I love that we, as a profession, are so inclusive of theoretical approaches but I acknowledge that the wide range of choices can be overwhelming. When I ask my students about their theoretical orientations, I usually see panicked faces in my classroom. It can seem like an big decision. I remember feeling the pressure to choose my theoretical orientation in graduate school. It felt like such a commitment! And I didn’t feel like I had enough knowledge or experience to be confident in my choice after just a few courses (as comprehensive and informative as they were). Many of you are likely very busy working and going to school just like I was during my program. The choice of a theoretical orientation may be one that you have saved for the future when your to-do list isn’t quite so long. If this sounds like your current situation, let me take some of the pressure off by sharing a slightly controversial opinion: 

You don’t have to decide right away.

You don’t need to have it all figured out before you start seeing clients in practicum or internship. You don’t even need to have it fully figured out prior to graduation. 

I can hear some exhales of relief…but before you completely abandon the quest to identify your theoretical orientation, let’s talk about how counseling theories are helpful and why you should narrow it down to a few options. There is good reason why “Counseling Theories” is one f the first courses you are typically required to take, and why we do want you to start thinking about your theoretical orientation during your graduate program. Application of a theory ensures that you operate based on evidence-based practices which is always important, but especially useful to you as you begin your counseling career. 

You may not need to choose your theoretical orientation right away but it is important to begin this process while you are in your program. Below I share three tips to consider as you choose your theoretical orientation. 

3 Tips

Try out a few. Learn about all of the theories and practice a few different approaches to determine which one feels the most natural to you. Use your early clinical experiences to begin narrowing it down so that by the time you graduate, you do have a better idea of the theory that makes the most sense to you. Your choice should feel consistent with what you believe and how you live your life. You should not choose a theoretical orientation that is contrary to your own worldview and belief system. 

Remain true to yourself. Don’t choose a theory just because you want to emulate someone you admire. You hopefully have a lot of knowledgeable and supportive mentors in the form of professors, supervisors, or friends. You may share their worldview, or you may respect them but see your approach to counseling as slightly different. You do not have to share their theoretical orientation to respect and learn from them. When I first started counseling, I felt internal pressure to act a certain way in the therapy room because I would want to be like a mentor I respected. It never went well if it involved acting in a way that felt unnatural to me. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t listen or learn from clinicians with more experience. You should always remain open to feedback, especially when you are under supervision. But you should still be authentic, and a supportive mentor will be committed to helping you hone your theoretical orientation without turning you into their “mini-me.”

Remain flexible and open to creativity. Keep in mind that you can still integrate other approaches or interventions once you choose your theoretical orientation. There will be times when you may stray from your orientation in favor of a specific intervention or approach that will better fit a specific client’s needs. Having a theoretical orientation doesn’t mean that you can’t use interventions from other theories. You should adjust your approach depending on your client. Just remember that when making decisions about a use of an approach or intervention, you should always be intentional. For example, I am a humanistic, person-centered therapist at my core. This most closely encompasses my worldview and how I view my role as a counselor and my client’s role in the helping relationship. I also end up using a lot of cognitive behavioral interventions with clients who appreciate some of the structure that cognitive behavioral therapy provides. You don’t need to limit yourself.

I hope these questions help you to narrow down what theoretical orientation is best for you. Biggest takeaway: There is no need to put pressure on yourself to be fully confident in your approach to counseling right away. Your theoretical orientation will grow and evolve as you do. Time, clinical experience, and continued education will increase your confidence in your theoretical orientation. 

This blog was written by Dr. Olivia Bentley, PhD, LPCC-S, Founder of Well Counselor.