Case Study Application: Existential and Gestalt Theory
If you were going to apply either existential theory or Gestalt theory to one of the Theories of Psychotherapy case options for your Unit 9 application paper, which one would you choose? Explain why your choice of theory would serve better than the other choice in conceptualizing the client or family system issues, and in offering specific interventions to encourage change.
Response Guidelines
Read the posts of your peers, responding to at least one. Expand the discussion in some way by asking questions, clarifying, offering varying viewpoints or sharing resources.
Resources
| · GRADUATE DISCUSSION PARTICIPATION GRADING RUBRIC | ||||
| Criteria | Non-performance | Basic | Proficient | Distinguished |
| Apply relevant course concepts, theories, or materials correctly. 25% |
Does not explain relevant course concepts, theories, or materials. | Explains relevant course concepts, theories, or materials. | Applies relevant course concepts, theories, or materials correctly. | Analyzes course concepts, theories, or materials correctly, using examples or supporting evidence. |
| Collaborate with fellow learners, relating the discussion to relevant course concepts. 25% |
Does not collaborate with fellow learners. | Collaborates with fellow learners without relating the discussion to the relevant course concepts. | Collaborates with fellow learners, relating the discussion to relevant course concepts. | Collaborates with fellow learners, relating the discussion to relevant course concepts and extending the dialogue. |
| Apply relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. 25% |
Does not contribute professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. | Contributes professional, personal, or other real-world experiences, but contributions lack relevance. | Applies relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences. | Applies relevant professional, personal, or other real-world experiences to extend the dialogue. |
| Support position with applicable knowledge. 25% |
Does not establish relevant position. | Establishes relevant position. | Supports position with applicable knowledge. | Validates position with applicable knowledge. |
Participation Guidelines
Actively participate in discussions. To do this you should create a substantive post for each of the discussion topics. Each post should demonstrate your achievement of the participation criteria. In addition, you should respond to the posts of at least two of your fellow learners for each discussion question—unless the discussion instructions state otherwise. These responses to other learners should be substantive posts that contribute to the conversation by asking questions, respectfully debating positions, and presenting supporting information relevant to the topic. Also, respond to any follow-up questions the instructor directs to you in the discussion area.
Readings
Use your Theories of Counseling and Therapy text to read the following:
- Chapter 6, “The Primacy of Human Experience: Humanistic Approaches,” pages 118–132 [Existential Theory], and pages 145–150 [Gestalt Theory].
-
- The first part of this reading covers Existential Theory; the second part covers Gestalt Theory.
Optional – Reading
The following articles are recommended but not required for this unit:
- Barglow, P. (2014). Numbing after rape, and depth of therapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 68(1), 117‒39.
- Jacob, C. J., McMonigle, M. E., & Metzger, N. (2014). Using existential themes in couple counseling: Addressing the “why” as well as the “how.” The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 22(2), 240–244.
- Sá Pires, B. (2016). Therapy with children and adolescents in the phenomenological-existential tradition: Community-based clinical interventions. Existential Analysis: Journal of the Society for Existential Analysis, 27(1), 93‒106.
- Vos, J., Cooper, M., Correia, E., & Craig, M. (2015). Existential therapies: A review of their scientific foundations and efficacy. Existential Analysis: Journal of The Society Analysis, 26(1), 49‒69.
