Everyone has beliefs about the way that the world works. What do you see as the cause of problems? You may believe that things can only get better (or worse), that people are trustworthy (or out to get you), that understanding things is all that is necessary to make things different. You may emphasize the importance of insight or action, of thoughts or feelings, of the past, present or future. You may see the therapist as the expert or recognize the client as the expert on him or herself. You value certain kinds of goals and patterns of interpersonal interactions.

Becoming aware of your own personal theory may help you make better choices about the therapies and settings you work in. It can help you become aware of the arbitrariness of some of our values -- and intervene more appropriately with people who have markedly different values than your own. It can certainly help you understand theories better and increase your insight into why you like some theories, but not others.

Page by jms
URL= http://psy1.clarion.edu/jms/cptYrOwntheory.html

Last updated July 26, 2002