Most individuals suffer from depression or anxiety in the field of mental health. Some of it is behavioral but other elements exist chemically and biologically, as well as triggered by past trauma. All of these considerations need to be taken into account. This video looks at panic attacks, what they are, what triggers them and how to cope.
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William Glasser created reality therapy, and it rests on choice theory. This theory states people can control their behavior with conscious choices. This method differs from older therapies. Those methods focus on mental illness and hidden motives. Reality therapy helps clients take responsibility and decide for themselves. The therapy asks people to meet four basic needs. These needs are belonging, power, freedom, and fun. Meeting these needs allows people to make positive changes in their lives. We should study Glasser and Alfred Adler together, and Adler led Individual Psychology. Both experts show social interest and belonging have importance for mental health. Their work reveals similarities and differences in their ways of changing behavior. Workplace stress is more common today, and new methods like reality therapy are strong options. They provide alternatives to the usual ways of helping.(Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). With the increasing prevalence of stress-related issues, such as those highlighted in workplace settings, innovative therapies like reality therapy offer promising alternatives to conventional methods (Jonge TD, 2019)
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Overview of Reality Therapy
William Glasser developed Reality Therapy. This approach focuses on personal responsibility and the importance of meeting basic psychological needs. These needs include love, power, and freedom. Meeting these needs helps people achieve mental health and well-being. Choice Theory sits at the core of this model. It states that individuals have the power to choose their own behaviors to meet their needs. Therapy sessions build a partnership between the therapist and the client. This relationship allows them to explore choices. The client evaluates their own actions and sets realistic goals. New tools like augmented reality (AR) help the way therapists and clients interact today. Wearable AR devices like Google Glass and Microsoft HoloLens work well in medical settings. They help patients stay involved and support training programs (). Virtual reality (VR) tools work in many therapy settings. These tools show the use of technology in mental health treatment ()..(Baashar Y et al., 2023)). Likewise, virtual reality (VR) technologies are being explored for their applications in various therapeutic contexts, highlighting a forward-looking integration of technology in mental health treatment ((Mazurek J et al., 2019)).
William Glasser was a known psychiatrist and helped the field of psychotherapy. He created Reality Therapy and used his choice theory as a base. This method stresses that people have the power to make their own choices. These choices affect their emotional and mental health. Glasser’s work is like the ideas of Alfred Adler. Both men see that social interest and belonging matter for mental health. They both see behavior as a conscious choice. Glasser worked on school practices and wanted teachers to be more connected and responsive. This teaching style fits his psychological ideas. Glasser taught people to take responsibility for their actions and their relationships. His work still matters today. It gives clear facts about how people act and grow.(Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). Furthermore, Glasser’s contributions extend beyond therapy to include educational practices, advocating for a more connected and responsive teaching methodology that aligns with his psychological principles. By encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their actions and relationships, Glassers impact continues to resonate, offering valuable insights into human behavior and personal development (Browne D et al., 2012).
Reality Therapy places an overall positive spin on human nature and its ability for beneficial change. It also looks more so at the subjective needs of the person which can limit its overall good for others, but it does teach one to take account of own’s action and to be mindful of others in determining what is best for oneself. In addition to accountability, it instills hope, self reliance and self control in facing issues. One is made aware of what needs to be done by being brought into confrontation with one’s negative behaviors.
One weakness within Glasser was his dismissal of pathology and instead seeing most issues to be concerning one’s own behavior and lack of accountability. While more modern aspects admit for deeper issues of pathology, many issues of depression or anxiety or more so thought of as the issue of the person him or herself and not taking accountability.
Foundations of Reality Therapy
William Glasser developed the base principles of Reality Therapy. These principles focus on how personal choice and responsibility affect a person’s mental health. Glasser’s choice theory stays at the center of this method. This theory calls all behavior a choice from 5 basic human needs. These needs include love, belonging, power, freedom, and fun. This idea matches Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology and connects to the value of social interest. It includes community belonging to show a shared understanding of mental health. Reality Therapy uses ideas from relational-cultural theory. This helps the method work well for clients from many backgrounds and builds a space to respect different cultures. These links show the social parts of counseling. They make the process work better and prove the Glasser framework fits in modern mental health work.(Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). Furthermore, by integrating concepts from relational‐cultural theory, Reality Therapy advances its effectiveness across diverse client backgrounds, fostering a culturally responsive therapeutic environment. This synergy not only illustrates the relational dimensions emphasized in counseling but also enhances the therapeutic process, demonstrating the adaptability and relevance of Glassers framework in contemporary mental health practices (Haskins N et al., 2017).
William Glasser’s reality therapy relies on core principles and a specific philosophy. These ideas are the basis for his work on mental health and personal growth. This method centers on the idea that people choose their own actions. Glasser claims this freedom is a key part of health. This view fits with pragmatist philosophy. That philosophy sees reality as operational. It stresses that people must solve real-world problems to make good changes. Glasser’s ideas also match parts of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology. He focuses on social interest and the need to belong. These points show how people stay linked to their communities. All these ideas show a drive to help people understand reality. They do this through active work and informed choices. These concepts changed the way therapists work.(Haṡok Chang, 2022). Moreover, Glasser’s concepts echo the tenets of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology, particularly regarding social interest and the significance of belonging, which emphasize the connectedness of individuals within their communities (Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). Collectively, these core ideas reveal a commitment to enhancing ones understanding of reality through active engagement and informed choices, reshaping the therapeutic landscape.
William Glasser’s Choice Theory forms the base of Reality Therapy. The theory claims individuals have the inherent power to control their own behaviors. These choices directly affect their emotional health and overall well-being. Choice Theory focuses on personal responsibility to help people shape their lives. It suggests clients are active agents in their lives rather than victims of circumstances. This framework works very well in therapeutic settings. Clients think about their choices and learn to understand their motivations. These inner motivations drive their daily actions. People look at their decisions to find patterns leading to unhealthy behaviors. Then they work toward better fitting choices to meet their psychological needs. Virtual reality cognitive therapy shows how well this treatment method works. This tool lets clients face and change their delusions through different outcomes. The experience helps people heal and grow through the power of Choice Theory.(Anna M Wiese et al., 2024)(Freeman D et al., 2016).
Techniques and Application
Study the methods and uses of Reality Therapy. Tools like virtual reality (VR) improve these sessions. William Glasser built this field on choice and personal responsibility. VR provides a way to use Reality Therapy ideas in deep and active ways. For example, VR creates simulated worlds for people to experience. Therapists use these worlds for their clients. These worlds test their views and choices right then. This process helps people think about themselves. It helps them build better decision skills. Virtual rehab has changed over time. Early uses for phobias and brain issues show a link. VR links mental and physical health fields. These tools help therapy work better and faster. These tech tools fit the main ideas from Glasser. They create new therapy types. These new methods make therapy easier to get. They are easier to change for different client needs.(Mazurek J et al., 2019)(G Burdea, 2009). Such technological advancements not only align with Glassers core concepts but also pave the way for innovative therapeutic modalities that make therapy more accessible and adaptable for various client needs.
We study key methods used in therapy sessions. We look at how Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) fits with Reality Therapy. William Glasser created Reality Therapy. VRT provides a direct way to work in therapy. It puts clients into controlled virtual spaces. These spaces give people direct contact with triggers causing anxiety. This method helps treat social anxiety disorder. It allows for slow exposure in a safe setting. It avoids the hard scheduling and the logistical tasks of traditional in vivo exposure therapy (iVET). Therapists use technology to adjust sessions for each client. This helps make learning easier and helps people adapt to the real world. VRT works well and shows a change in therapy. Flexible methods are needed to help many different groups grow and stay healthy every day.(Naran J, 2025)(Caponnetto P et al., 2021). By leveraging technology, therapists can tailor experiences to meet individual client needs, enhancing learning and adaptation in real-world contexts. The effectiveness of VRT reflects a shift in therapeutic paradigms, emphasizing the necessity for adaptable methods to support personal growth and well-being in diverse populations.
William Glasser created Reality Therapy. People use this method in many places and groups. It works well in schools, clinics, and community centers. Teachers use Reality Therapy in schools to help students behave better. This method helps students take responsibility for their actions. It helps learners feel like they belong and can succeed. Doctors use this therapy for people with mental health issues like anxiety. They use methods like Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET). These tools create safe spaces where patients practice social skills. Reality Therapy helps people who need rehabilitation. This group includes patients recovering from strokes or living with chronic pain. The therapy uses tools like virtual reality. These tools keep patients active and help them recover faster. These examples show the flexibility of Reality Therapy. It works well and helps many people feel better.(Caponnetto P et al., 2021). Additionally, Reality Therapy is effective in populations requiring rehabilitation, such as patients recovering from strokes or dealing with chronic pain, leveraging innovative tools like virtual reality to enhance engagement and reduce recovery time (Dwarkadas AL et al., 2024). These settings underscore Reality Therapy’s adaptability and efficacy in promoting psychological well-being across various demographics.
Glasser and other reality therapists push individuals to take accountability for how they feel and what they want. In this way there are a few techniques to keep in mind. First, they WDEP formula of facing issues. What is the want, what is one doing to reach it, how is one evaluating and assessing one’s behavior and how is one planning to fix it. This makes the person a far more active participant in one’s mental health. Instead of becoming merely a victim to anxiety or depression, a reality therapist will challenge the client. Instead of saying I feel depressed, the therapist will verbalize it to why are you depressing yourself. While for some this may be good, for others facing genetic or chemical depression, it is far less effective. In some classical cases, many saw such behaviors of depression or anxiety also as ways one tried to control others. Some individuals do manipulate with mental illness, but this is not the case for all. Hence for some, this can help, for others, this type of therapy can cause issues.
Impact and Criticisms
William Glasser used reality therapy to change many ways of treating people. This method makes clients take personal responsibility for their own daily actions. Critics now point out problems with the theory and the way it works in life. Supporters link reality therapy to relational-cultural theory. They believe these combined ideas help many different groups of people (). Other people doubt the focus on choice and social bonds. To them, this view ignores deep social and mental problems. This limit makes the method less useful for some people in the real world (). The theory calls behavior a conscious choice. This view ignores many hard parts of the human experience. Real life often lacks the control found in the theory. These points show the need for a better understanding. It works best with other ways of treating clients.(Haskins N et al., 2017)). Despite this, skeptics question the efficacy of Glassers emphasis on choice and social connectedness, arguing that it may overlook deeper systemic and psychological issues faced by individuals, thereby limiting its overall effectiveness ((Patricia A Robey et al., 2017)). Moreover, the simplified notion of behavior as a conscious choice can disregard the complexities of human experience, which may not always align with the agency that reality therapy prescribes. These critiques underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of reality therapys application and its potential to integrate with other therapeutic modalities.
William Glasser developed Reality Therapy. This effective method focuses on personal choice and responsibility. It shows how a person can control their own behavior to meet basic psychological needs. The therapist prioritizes the needs of the client for love, power, freedom, and fun at the same time. This approach builds an environment for personal growth and strong relationships. Research shows that Reality Therapy matches relational-cultural theory. Combining these ideas makes the therapy better for different cultures. This creates a useful therapy for many different people in society. Glasser’s ideas match the main points of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology. Adler valued social connection and belonging too. These links show the flexibility of the therapy in helping with psychosocial issues effectively. The complete nature of this therapy offers many benefits for clients who want to make constructive changes.(Haskins N et al., 2017). Furthermore, Glassers concepts resonate with foundational principles of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology, where the importance of social connection and belonging is equally emphasized, showcasing the therapeutic versatility of Reality Therapy in addressing psychosocial issues effectively (Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). Overall, the comprehensive nature of Reality Therapy provides significant benefits to clients seeking constructive change.
Reality Therapy uses a new method, but people find flaws and limits in the system. The system simplifies hard mental health issues too much for some critics. Critics say focusing on personal choice hides the effects of money and trauma. Glasser uses choice theory to help people feel in control. This method puts too much pressure on a person to fix their life. Slow change or unreachable goals lead to feelings of guilt or inadequacy. The COVID-19 pandemic made online therapy happen much faster than before. This shift showed that therapists need more training and knowledge. People now worry about session quality and rules for online sessions. Reality Therapy looks like many other types of clinical care. It lacks enough hard data to support its ideas. This lack of proof stops more experts from using the system.(Sampaio M et al., 2021). Moreover, while Reality Therapy shares similarities with other therapeutic modalities, the lack of extensive empirical support for its frameworks limits its broader acceptance in the mental health community (Patricia A Robey et al., 2017).
Conclusion
We look at the work William Glasser did for reality therapy. We clearly see his main points. He focused on personal responsibility and choice for good, effective clinical work. Mental health fields change over time. Virtual reality therapy (VRET) now works as a useful addition to old methods. It can improve treatments for anxiety disorders and more. VRET creates a deep experience for the user. This setting helps people face fears. It removes limits often found in real-world exposure therapy. Research shows VRET and standard methods work equally well. It costs less. It offers more flexibility. These traits make it a strong choice for many clinical uses. Therapists now add new tools to their work. Glasser’s principles still guide clients toward meaningful change and improved mental health. This shows his ideas still matter today.(Meyerbr Köker, 2021) (Caponnetto P et al., 2021).
The power of Reality Therapy lies in its focus on choice and personal responsibility. William Glasser laid out these principles in his work. This method relies on the idea that people choose their own actions and life results. This view helps clients take an active role when they face personal challenges. It helps them face these problems directly. Reality Therapy builds mental health through strong relationships and personal achievements. Clients work to meet basic psychological needs. These needs include belonging, power, freedom, and fun. Recent research shows that Glasser’s ideas match several parts of Individual Psychology. These parts include social interest and choosing how to behave. This method shares traits with other models. It stays unique in how people use it in practice. The model creates real change by looking at choice and responsibility.(Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). This therapeutic framework, while sharing similarities with other models, remains distinct in its practical application, promoting significant therapeutic change through the lens of choice and responsibility (Wedding D, 2010).
William Glasser changed therapy when he created reality therapy and choice theory. These ideas still influence how psychologists work today. Glasser focused on personal responsibility and how people choose their behavior. His work matches the ideas of Alfred Adler’s Individual Psychology. Both men believed that social connection and belonging are central to mental health. Therapy methods change over time as research grows. More experts now see the value in the broad view Glasser first shared. Mixing psychology, medicine, and education makes therapy work better. This mix reflects the original vision of Lightner Witmer. He wanted a single field that went beyond old limits. Glasser’s work drives new ideas in therapy. His work leads to more connected mental health care.(Patricia A Robey et al., 2017). As the therapeutic landscape continues to evolve, there is an increasing recognition of the need for a multidisciplinary perspective that mirrors Glasser’s original insights. This blend of psychological, medical, and educational frameworks not only amplifies the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions but also echoes Lightner Witmers vision of a cohesive discipline that transcends traditional boundaries (Browne D et al., 2012). Glassers legacy thus serves as a catalyst for future innovations in therapeutic practice, fostering a more integrated approach to mental health care.
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Gestalt Therapy: Access here
Person Centered Counseling. Access here
Personal Psychology. Access here
Tan, S-Y. (2022). Counseling and psychotherapy: a Christian perspective. (2nd Edition). Baker Academic, a division of the Baker Publishing Group.
“Reality Therapy”. Psychology Today. Access here
Loggins, B. (2025). VeryWellMind. Access here
Sutton, J. (2021). “10 Best Reality Therapy Techniques, Worksheets, & Exercises”. Positive Psychology.com. Access here
Boundaries are not selfish but important lines of what one can or cannot do, or is willing to endure from another person. They are healthy and help clarify where one begins and ends in relationship to other people. This video takes a closer look at why they are so important for all aspects of life that go beyond personal but also to professional and relational. Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Certification Programs
Counseling looks to help people change for the better. Habit in either direction is wired in our brain and it can be a difficult journey to incorporate good change. This video takes a closer look at a change and the process
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Fritz Pearls and his wife are considered the pioneers behind the development of Gestalt Therapy and its numerous techniques. While, like many numerous systems, Gestalt by itself is limited by its own definitions and guidelines, but still nonetheless has supplied the counseling sciences with numerous theories as well as practices to aid counselors in helping people. Pearls, a German immigrant, spent most of his later lifetime in the USA, developing and implementing the concepts of Gestalt. It remains to this day an original way to help individuals face psychological issues and pursue change.
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Gestalt is very focused on the now of the person. It sees current problems in how individuals hide behind their issues and avoid them. It is less concerned with issues of the past but how more so the person deals with the now and how that person transforms. It is very person centered in finding the answers in the client but unlike classical person centered therapies which has a more gentle guiding approach, Gestalt employs more direct confrontation when necessary to push a person in facing oneself in the present. Like most person centered therapies, Gestalt feels the power of change and how to live resides in the subjective reality of the person and that when a person accepts who he or she is and faces the illusions of self and takes responsibility for oneself, then one can become free and have a more healthy mental life. In this way, Gestalt looks at the wholeness of the person and challenges the person to self awareness. It is because of this approach, Gestalt is immersed in the human experience and how life is experienced. In its concern of the here and now, as well self awareness, it is more concerned with the question of how than the question of why.
Pearls utilized exercises and experiments as the way to help clients find self awareness. Exercises helped clients experience the now of emotion, but experiments were deeper techniques to help a person become self aware and challenge oneself. Many of these experiments employed by the therapist was utilized as ways for the client to become self aware and how to properly express oneself to find balance with one’s inner voice. In many cases, Pearls would identify acts of phoniness by a person due to external pressures that subdued the internal personality of a person. He would note how one’s tone of voice, or facial expressions, or body postures would not match the feeling internally. He utilized various exercises and experiments to help the person break free of these uncomfortable anxieties and to better express oneself.
Pearls employed various linguistic alterations to a person’s vocabulary or how the person stated something in therapy. This involved utilizing personal pronouns more in the client’s speech. Instead of making a statement that was void of personal need, Pearls would instruct the person to utilize the pronoun “I” to own the statement. Instead of a passive declaration of what one desired or wanted or disliked, Pearls instructed the client to say “I need, or I want, or I dislike”. In addition, he removed such contractions as “can’t” to “won’t”. Instead of stating I cannot do something, he pushed clients to say I will not do something. Also, instead of the conjunction “but” used to imply an excuse, he instructed clients to use the word “and”. For example, if someone has a paper to write and states “I cannot write the paper tonight, but I may try to do it tomorrow”, Pearls would have the client transfer the statement to “I will not write the paper tonight and I will try do it tomorrow”. Pearls also would emphasize the use of the phrase, “I take responsibility for this”. Hence a person would say “I take responsibility for not writing the paper tonight”. This clearly shows an emphasis of owning one’s inner feelings more deeply and also expressing what one wants in a more authoritative, responsible and personal way. Excuses, passive language and not asserting one’s own needs into a sentence were signs of the person not being self aware of what one needs and not taking responsibility for it. Hence, Pearls was less concerned about other pronouns of “them” or “us” or how others make one feel but more interested in how oneself makes one feel.
In addition to speaking with more authority and emphasizing responsibility for one’s words, thoughts and actions, Pearls would help individuals identify body posture, nervous ticks, or uncomfortable laughs as the ways the body and its physiology would manifest discord between expression and the actual feeling. Pearls would frequently call a person out with confrontation for expressing oneself in contradiction to how one felt. He would suggest exaggeration of these tics, or tones, to see how truly silly or phony they were in contrast to how the person felt in the moment. Through the experiment of exaggeration, Pearls encouraged one to bite one’s lip harder, or tense their jaw more pronounced so that the person could recognize these manifestations when internal feelings emerged. The key for Pearls was to help the client discover and become aware of one’s deeper feelings in the now moment and how to properly communicate and express them. This involved analyzing one’s own bodily reactions in correlation with the feelings internally.
The most famous experiments of Pearls was the empty chair. This created an opportunity for one to confront oneself, or another in the safety and privacy of therapy. It permitted one to become aware of self, but also to express emotions that may have been kept in check. The first usage of this experiment was direct dialogue between self. For example, a middle age man may have many regrets in life and has two images of himself; namely the driving and commanding side of himself and then the more relaxed version of self. At direction of the therapist, the man would move from his chair to the other chair and imagine speaking to himself in a more authoritative way. In response, the man then would remove to his original chair and respond to his more aggressive and demanding side. This dialogue would continue to until the man discovered his many needs. In other cases, the empty chair can be utilized as a way for an individual to confront another person. This may be an ex spouse, a parent, a boss, a deceased family member, or even God. The client is encouraged to speak to this person if as the person was truly sitting there. Obviously this is an advanced therapeutic tool and should be conducted by a trained therapist due to emotional eruptions that can occur. Pearls saw this as a way for a person to truly express one’s emotions without filter or restraint free from possible danger of physical confrontation.
Gestalt has many beneficial applications to help people properly express their feelings, be aware of themselves and become more connected to how they truly feel. It is beneficial for those suffering from anxiety as well as depression. However it does possess some limitations. It is more emotional in nature and does not give enough attention to the intellectual and cognitive issues surrounding mental health. It also focuses more the now without less concern for the past. Questions such as why and what are more replaced with how can we handle this now. It is also weighs heavily on one’s own personal needs for self actualization and less concern for the needs of others. This is a double edged sword if not properly put into context. Further, it possesses a more subjective morality in place of universal objective standards of behavior or morality. Yet, many of its experiments and uses are widely accepted and utilized in daily practice. Very few counselors completely adhere to one particular school over another, so the percentage is quite low of a counselor being a strictly Gestalt therapist. Most modern day counselors share Gestalt techniques and implement them with person centered therapies and behavioral therapies for maximum results.
Please also review AIHCP’s Behavioral Health Certifications and see if any of them meet your academic and professional goals.
Person Centered Counseling. Access here
Existential Counseling. Access here
Jungian Psychology. Access here
Tan, S-Y. (2022). Counseling and psychology: A Christian perspective (2nd Edition). Baker Academic.
Clark, J. (2025). How Gestalt Therapy Works. Very Well Mind. Access here
Gestalt Therapy. Psychology Today. Access here
Guy-Evans, O. (2025). Gestalt Therapy: Definition, Types, Techniques, and Efficacy. Simply Psychology. Access here
Lindsey, C. (2022). All About Gestalt Therapy. PsychCentral. Access here
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A simple review of certain medications for basic depression and anxiety as well as their Holistic counterparts
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AIHCP has numerous blogs based on Carl Rogers and his Client or Human/Person Centered Based Counseling. This blog will focus some on the general themes, goals and history of the therapy and how it set the standard for many modern day counseling techniques. Whether one belongs solely to Rogerian Counseling, or instead mixes and matches some of the philosophies and skills where needed, it remains nearly impossible for numerous Rogerian ideals not to be part of any counseling curriculum and utilized within the professional and clinical spectrum.
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In essence, Rogers possessed a more optimistic account of human nature and believed that helping people involved helping them help themselves and find inner healing. Instead of diagnosis, or pre-determined psycho-analysis, Roger developed a psychology and counseling that frowned upon diagnosis as well as counselor authoritarian directives but saw the counselor more as a guide and helper in unlocking a person’s potential to find happiness and balance in life. This type of counseling took some key core concepts from Adler and then became a main stay in the counseling fields since the Mid 20th Century.
Rogers taught that counselors need to help clients self-actualize to become their best self. This was accomplished through guidance that helped the person choose what is best for them. The counselor could help a person reach self actualization by helping them find congruence or genuineness with their true self. When a person was at odds with their true self or their words did not match their deeds, a counselor could help a person see this incongruence (Tan, 2022). In addition to helping a person actualize self, counselors within Rogerian schools of thought help clients understand the value of their own subjective experiences. Rogers believed that the subjective experience of a person was the most true form of self and the best way to find congruence within a person. However, the most lasting and important aspect involves the client’s condition of worth. Rogers emphasized that counselors must show deep empathy, unconditional positive regard and genuineness as core concepts in helping people (Tan, 2022). Ultimately the basis of Rogerian therapy is to not solve problems but to unlock an individual’s own solving problem abilities (Tan, 2022).
In other blogs, we discuss the critical importance of unconditional positive regard, congruence and empathy. These again are the most lasing elements of Rogerian psychology. While many adhere to some of the other concepts of subjective experience, or the role of the counselor, these three standards of counseling remain core in most counseling schools as essential elements in helping people. Beyond just being taught, these lasting qualities of the counselor also show empirically and in clinical studies strong effectiveness in helping the client. While classic Rogerian counseling swayed away from diagnosis or various therapeutic strategies, it always emphasized the importance of the counselor/client relationship. In many studies, this is the most key part whether counseling works or not. While various therapeutic strategies are essential, which ones used or not used, has more power when amplified with the counselor/client relationship.
In recent years, Rogerian Counseling has also been transformed by modifications, such Motivational Interviewing. Tan points out that this is also a person centered approach and also has many shared core elements (2022). Initially developed by William Miller, Motivational Interviewing utilizes Rogerian strategies and counselor based qualities to help clients reach goals. Tan points out that Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative approach of strengthening a person’s motivation and commitment to change. He also points out that it looks to address the ambivalence about change and is designed to help the person’s motivation by assigning goals and also exploring a person’s reasons to look for change (2022).
Interviewing involves utilizing empathy, congruence as well as unconditional positive regard, but also involves the counselor rolling with resistance of the client in a non-confrontational way. Instead helping to facilitate a picture for the client to see on one’s own to desire the change. In doing so, the counselor helps to support self efficacy and freedom of choice to fully embrace a change and work towards a goal (Tan, 2022).
Like any counseling system or psychological school of thought, one can be tied down and limited if only subject to one way of doing things with the psychological mind. This bears true with one who only utilizes psychodynamic ways without integration of other possible therapies in the cognitive fields, or for that matter approaching one from a cognitive or behavioral school of thought. Like wise, person centered psychology and counseling has strengths that can be employed, but also weaknesses when isolated and used as a the only way conducting counseling.
From a strength standpoint, the utilization of the concepts of unconditional positive regard, congruence and empathy are all staples of modern counseling. Person centered therapy also has a very optimistic view of a the human person and is rich in encouraging and helping someone find the ability to change through one’s innate abilities. It treasures freedom to choose which is the only way true change can occur.
From a weakness standpoint, it ins purest form, it avoids diagnosis and some therapies which when involving deeper trauma or pathology require more than just discussing an issue but also helping the mind heal through other proven strategies. Also, it emphasizes a complete subjective form of happiness and process of making decisions. This can lead to one’s own selfish motives, as well as choosing incorrectly in the overall scheme of life. Counselors while observing need to sometimes direct. Rogers did point to empathetic confrontation, but it needs to sometimes go farther than merely helping a person see the contradiction in one’s life but to also sometimes guide the person to the right choice. In Rogerian psychology, the counselor remains as benign a source of authority as possible in regards to direction. Many clients need guidance. This is not to assert they need told what and how to do something, but sometimes, a person needs direction. The concepts of subjective truth also come into conflict with many ideals on objective truth, as well as the person belonging to more than merely oneself but also belonging to a social construct that includes other people, as well as religious beliefs. For some, God is the source of self actualization, not the human person. For others, self actualization can become a very selfish design that ignores others and their needs. (Tan, 2022).
So again, I feel there always needs to be a measure of balance with any systems of psychology and counseling. While schools of thought exist in their purity, many counselors utilize the best of all the schools and fit it to meet the unique needs of a client.
Carl Rogers ideas and philosophies presented to counseling were revolutionary when compared to Freudian systems. It expressed that individuals were not preprogrammed and had the innate ability to find congruence when guided by a trained counselor. The counselor was not there to solve problems but help untap the ability of the client to solve their problems. This leads to a very subjective experience of self actualization which has its strengths and weaknesses in counseling. The largest contribution of Rogers was the counseling qualities he demanded from all counselors. Namely congruence, empathy and unconditional positive regard. These elements help forge a healthy counselor and client relationship which according to studies is more important and a bigger factor in client progress than any particular therapeutic strategy employed alone. It is the counselor and client’s relationship that is the biggest factor in whether the counseling experiment works or does not work.
Please also review AIHCP’s Behavioral Health Certifications in Grief Counseling, Christian Counseling, Trauma Counseling, Crisis Counseling, Stress Management and Anger Mangement.
Empathy in Counseling: Access here
Rogerian Counseling and Depression: Access here
Humanistic Approach and Grief: Access here
Tan, S-Y. (2022). Counseling and psychology: A Christian perspective (2nd Edition). Baker Academic.
The Role of Empathy in Effective Counselling. (2024). Mental Mastery. Access here
“Accurate Empathic Understanding: A Core Component of Client-Centered Counseling” (2024). Psychology Town. Access here
Sutton, J. (2021). “Unconditional Positive Regard: 17 Worksheets & Activities”. Positive Psychology. Access here
Cherry, K. (2024). “Unconditional Positive Regard in Psychology”. Very Well Mind. Access here
Meaning of existence plays a key role in understanding one’s daily trials, anxieties, stresses, as well as losses. Meaning in life can re-interpret an event for a person. From an bad event, individuals with meaning, can move forward with a better understanding and a fuller interpretation within life. Those without meaning to loss, or meaning to horrible things can fall victim to hopelessness and despair. Without an anchor of meaning, one can be swept by the various currents of life with no true direction. Existential philosophy, as well as Existential therapy, looks to find meaning in life. In this short blog, we will examine Existentialism and its influence on Existential therapy, as well as address the critical necessity of meaning in grief counseling, as well as conflicting issues between Christian theology and Existentialism.
Please review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Certification, as well as AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Certification and see if they meet your academic and professional goals.
Existentialist philosophy has two branches. One which encompasses a theist and sometimes Christian perspective, as well as an atheistic or nihilist branch. Philosophers such as Gabriel Marcel, Soren Kirkegaard and Paul Tillich approach existentialism from a theistic perspective, while others such as Frederick Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger and Paul Sarte present a atheistic and nihilist approach to existence. The core of the philosophy addresses humanity’s existential realities without reserve. Death, choice, freedom, isolation and meaning or lack of meaning in life are all important aspects of that cannot be ignored. Within this state of humanity, existence and its subjective and phenomenological interpretation of that existence details what a person is to be or find meaning in. There is no collective pre-existing template or essence of the human blueprint, but merely existence. As Sarte famously stated, “existence precedes essence” which at its core puts a subjective morality and choice at odds with a pre-existing objective template of reality and moral choice.
Humanity’s freedom to choose and become without fear is one of the guiding principles of non-theistic existentialist approach. As Frederick Nietzsche proposed, one must courageously drop the shackles of objective morality or the concept of God and become a “super man” who forges forward with great courage in creating one’s own essence and identity. While this is not the purpose of this blog to counter theological arguments over moral objectivity and the existence of God, this type of existentialist thought obviously places more power over one’s own decision what is good or evil.
Existentialist philosophy looks at human experience as a way one encounters life and discovers meaning. Through one’s inner self, one’s self with nature and one’s self and experiences with others. Human beings are free to relate and form one’s own meanings based on these three basic levels of existence (Tan, 2022). In this self discovery, one must be true to one’s self or authentic. It is when one ceases to be authentic with self, that pathology emerges. This becomes difficult because of natural existential dread and anxiety which in itself is not a bad thing but quite a natural thing. Within existential anxiety, one must deal with death and life, the need to act or not act, isolation versus companionship, and finally meaning or meaninglessness (Tan, 2022). A healthy existence is when these issues are faced, discussed and analyzed. When one does not dismiss these truths, as well as live authentically with oneself, then one finds a healthy balance in life.
Tan lists some of the key elements of existentialist philosophy of being human. He lists first, the capacity for awareness, second, freedom and responsibility, third, creating identity and establishing relationships, fourth, searching for meaning, fifth, accepting anxiety as part of life and finally, awareness of death and non being (2022). It is when one lies to oneself and avoids these principles that pathology can occur in life. Rollo May, a existentialist therapist contends that anxiety is a critical part of life itself and now all of it is toxic but something that needs faced and addressed. Clients need taught how to face anxiety and solve the issues and problems while remaining true to oneself (Tan, 2022).
Victor Frankl, a holocaust survivor, discussed in detail the grave importance of finding meaning in life, especially, in loss and suffering. He saw a deeper purpose that could help drive one beyond the mere presence of suffering. His meaning was found in love and the dignity of the human person to push beyond mere tasks and elevate them to a higher power. In this way, Frankl was not atheistic in existential thought and like others, saw the importance of spirituality as a way to find meaning. Kirkegaard also saw the importance of emptying one’s anxiety and existential angst into the grounding of all existence which is God. Hence, while to some therapists, meaning can be subjective and coming from within the person, other theistic existentialists promote the possibility that meaning can come from an outside source.
Regardless, the power of meaning is a strong driving force in interpreting life events. Frankl helped individuals find deeper meaning in his Logotherapy which utilized four primary techniques. First, he employed the Socratic dialogue, second, paradoxical intent, dereflection and attitude modification (Tan, 2022). Within the Socratic dialogue, one is directed to take a complete inventory of one’s life. This helps the person discover direction but also what matters most. Within paradoxical intent, Logotherapy looks to present the absurdity of a habit or behavior by exaggerating it. Within dereflection, the therapist helps the client see other elements of an event. In this way it hopes to utilize a type of behavioral cognitive therapy where the individual rethinks the event in different perspectives. The idea is not to dismiss or devalue the event but to approach it from different aspects. Finally, attitude modification, helps the client to change certain views or behaviors by not lamenting over the past which cannot be changed, but instead by learning from it and making good changes.
Frankl saw in humanity that all are good initially at one’s core and that it was the purpose of the therapist to help enlighten a person of one’s inner talents to utilize the goodness of the inner core. He also pointed out that life has meaning and it is one’s goal to find meaning, which usually should be in something transcending, albeit, life does not guarantee happiness even with meaning, However, it the meaning and finding that meaning in the moment that all can find direction even in the most worst case scenarios. In this way, a person retains his core, his uniqueness as well as his freedom.
Existential philosophy and therapy plays a key role in grief and loss. Robert Neimeyer has emphasized the critical importance of meaning making in loss. Meaning is essential in understanding the nature of the loss and how the loss plays a role in the overall life of a person. Individuals who utilize meaning and find meaning not only in loss but overall life can find smoother ways to adapt to the loss and move forward with the loss incorporated into one’s life. Those without meaning struggle with suffering and loss. This was also the case that Frankl noticed in the Nazi concentration camps. Those who lost hope or meaning, even meaning in the most dire situations, would gradually fade quicker to despair and death.
Existential philosophy also demands that we do not hide from natural anxieties. In the modern world, death becomes a taboo subject, but in the lens of existentialism, it is something that should be addressed, confronted and spoken about. If we ignore death, if we ignore unpleasant thoughts of non being, then one is not living authentically according to existentialist philosophy. Existentialist therapists will help clients face the loss, understand it, and find meaning moving forward from the loss. These are all concepts and techniques that coincide with modern bereavement science.
As stated, there are many forms of existentialism. Some forms adapt a Christian view on life that surrenders the existential experience to God under the example of Christ. In addition, many of the concepts are concepts to use in counseling. Seeking to find answers about existence, freedom, responsibility and meaning are important concepts for the Christian but the answers from secular existentialism seeks the inner self and experience instead of the moral law of God and established dogma. In secular settings, existentialism can allow one to become one’s own god in decisions. It also tends to find most pathology from within or failure to acknowledge the existential anxieties of life and ignores many other sources of issues. Many issues stem from also biological or social settings, not just one’s imbalance with authenticity and existential anxieties (Tan, 2022).
Again, when one surrenders oneself to the autonomous self, one does not find true peace or meaning as secular existentialists would contend. That peace is through surrender of one’s anxieties to God, which is a self grounding in the Self (Tan, 2022). Kierkagaard illustrates this importance, and even Frankl addresses the surrender of self to something to a higher transcendence as something more benefitting and long lasting than merely surrender to the autonomous self. In these ways, some concepts of existentialism are useable in Christian Counseling with a strong precaution of avoiding its more secular and atheistic roots.
Existentialist therapy while more so a philosophy than a true therapeutic concept employs meaning as a key concept for modern counseling. Meaning is essential for understanding loss, suffering and death. Existentialist therapy also helps one to not ignore the anxieties of life but to face them and find meaning in them. While some aspects of it have theistic wrappings, other elements are more atheistic in thought and look for the autonomous self and one’s authenticity to help build one’s character. This leads one ultimately to a subjective perspective on each person’s meaning of life as opposed to an objective and more dogmatic one. Regardless of belief, it has numerous benefits for counseling, in particular for Grief Counseling. Obviously, if not religious, the power of meaning in life, even if subjective, can be a powerful source for success in the world.
Please also review AIHCP’s Grief Counseling Program as well as AIHCP’s Christian Grief Counseling Program and Christian Counseling Program. AIHCP also offers a wide range of secular programs in grief but also as well in both healthcare and behavioral healthcare programs.
Jungian Psychology: Access here
Tan, S-Y. (2022). Counseling and psychology: A Christian perspective (2nd Edition). Baker Academic.
Perera, A. (2025). Viktor Frankl’s Logotherapy. Simply Psychology. Access here
Existential Therapy. Psychology Today. Access here
Existentialism. PhilosophiesOfLife.org. Access here
Sidor, S & Dubin, K. (2025). The Search for Meaning: An Existential Perspective on Human Experience. Existential Therapy: Sweet Institute. Access here
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Please also review AIHCP’s Healthcare Certifications and see if they meet any of your academic or professional goals.
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Please also review AIHCP’s Trauma Informed Care program and see if it matches your academic and professional goals.