ABSTRACT

First Published in 1988. All counselling approaches are means to helping people stand on their own two feet and assume effective responsibility for their lives. Thus personal responsibility becomes an obvious integrating focus. Though the concept gets implicitly or explicitly emphasized in all existing theoretical positions, none has provided the deserved coverage. Focusing on personal responsibility is almost like focusing on one’s nose. Though right in front of the face, the concept is not always easy to observe. This book aims at integration in a number of ways. It rejects the narrow ‘my theory right or wrong’ approach to counselling. Theoretical concepts and practical interventions are derived from a number of different sources, including the research literature. The book does not take a one-dimensional approach to behaviour in emphasizing people’s actions alone. Instead it takes a three-dimensional approach emphasizing feelings, thoughts and actions.

chapter Chapter 1|12 pages

Why Focus on Personal Responsibility?

chapter Chapter 2|23 pages

Background: Humanistic and Existential Approaches

chapter Chapter 4|20 pages

Toward a Theory: Assumptions and Acquisition

chapter Chapter 5|15 pages

Toward a Theory: Perpetuation and Change

chapter Chapter 6|18 pages

Considerations for Practice

chapter Chapter 7|21 pages

Responsiveness: Experiencing Feelings

chapter Chapter 8|22 pages

Realism: Thinking, Language and Inner Speech

chapter Chapter 9|22 pages

Relatedness: Self-Definition and Communication

chapter Chapter 10|18 pages

Rewarding Activity: Meaning in Occupation