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| The Philosophy Humanistic, transpersonal, constructionist approach "Pine Cottage Counseling and Arts Center " offers Humanistic Counseling Services. It is based on a humanistic/transpersonal approach to counseling that goes beyond ego psychology (personal experience) to incorporate aspects of the Self based on a framework which include the existential and spiritual aspect of the person and the connection to others and the environment. It pretends to bring to counseling a more comprehensive perspective to work with life issues. It also incorporates forms of traditional psychotherapeutic approaches and medical model diagnosis when necessary according to mandated practice and guidelines. The aim is to promote mental health and the development of the person. This total approach helps in taking responsibility for the past actions, live fully in the present and in understanding the purpose that experiences in life carry, as a means of reaching out to that which the person will become. This approach is valuable for the person that values and strives for a successful life and healthy relationships. Humanistic counseling The humanistic counseling approach is one in which the individual is unique and every client is motivated toward actualizing latent potentials. It encompasses the psychological development and facilitating growth of individuals by supporting their own creative and self-initiated efforts. By psychological development is meant the development of greater capacity for self-understanding, understanding others and understanding of relationships. This approach promotes the development of a greater sense of personal freedom and choice. Traumatic experiences and pain are seen as a result of engaging with life and the world, therefore the goal is integration of the totality of life and self. This approach emphasizes a personal process of discovery, self-awareness, self-empowerment and the understanding of relationships, underlining the capacity to take multiple perspectives on any given issue. The Humanistic component of the technologies of self practice is based on the guidelines provided by the Task Force for the Development of Practice Recommendations For the Provision of Humanistic Psychosocial Services. Transpersonal The transpersonal aspect opens up a space for dealing with spiritual experiences and issues, a space in which the client can accept experiences beyond the physical body, biographical and cellular memory. A short definition from the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology suggests that transpersonal psychology is concerned with the study of humanity's highest potential, and with the recognition, understanding, and realization of unitive, spiritual, and transcendent states of consciousness (Lajoie and Shapiro, 1992:91). Thus, transpersonal psychology strives to combine insights from modern psychology with insights from the world's contemplative traditions, both East and West. When we talk about the transpersonal aspect we are talking about how are minds are joined as ONE. Constructionist The constructionist aspect deals with the use of language to form meanings in life. This aspect is based on the new paradigms of science according to which reality doesn't exist as an objective reality, it is conceived as a mental construction based on the world-view or assumptions that people hold. It understands knowledge as a result of active, cooperative enterprise of persons in relationships. Problems can be seen as linguistic creations which are maintained in conversations, therefore problems can be "de-constructed." These are seen as challenges, life transitions and opportunities for growth. The clinical problem then becomes a hermeneutical problem—that is an issue of interpretation. The constructionist component requires creating a space for a specific kind of conversation with clients aimed at the expansion and uncovering of meaning. Change occurs through the development of a new language, story and thought, an opportunity to shake off constraining beliefs. |
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