Research on selected theory
The final paper for this course is meant to give students an opportunity to conduct more in-depth research on a topic of their choice. Students are encouraged to select a topic (from any theory or theories studied in this course) in which they have an interest.
The research for the paper will involve consulting pertinent materials including and going beyond the required readings (peer-reviewed journal articles, books published by experts in the field, official websites). The paper should consist of approximately 2500 words, (i.e., 10 double-spaced typed pages, Times New Roman font size: 12), excluding the reference page and the title page. Format your assignment in Word (files with extension .doc or .docx), or Rich Text Format (files with extension .rtf).
In this course, students have three options concerning their choice of topic for the final paper. Depending on their area of interest or the area of practice that they envisage in their professional life, students can choose a topic from one of following three options:
OPTION A
An in-depth account of a particular construct within one theory
As the purpose of the paper is not to rehash or summarize the textbook information, students who select this kind of topic will need to narrow down the scope of their research to one particular aspect of a counselling approach that is explored in this course.
Within a specific approach to counselling, students can focus on the more philosophical and theoretical underpinnings, or on the more practical or applied aspects of that theory, such as techniques and specific interventions. Here are some examples of possible titles that would fall under this category:
Exploring Ego Defense Mechanisms in Psychoanalysis
The Use of Drawings and Metaphors in Therapy: A Jungian Approach
Applying Adlerian Principles of Lifestyle Assessment to Group Therapy
Outcome Research on Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy
Therapeutic Principles of Psychodrama
A Feminist Critique of Gestalt Therapy
OPTION B
Comparison and contrast between two theories
Again, narrowing down your topic, you may consider two constructs or sets of constructs proposed by two different theories, which lend themselves to comparing and contrasting.
Theories selected must be from this course (do not select pragmatic, cognitive or post-modern theories). Here are some examples of possible titles that would fall under this category:
Insight and Empathy: A Comparison of the Psychoanalytic and the Rogerian Approaches to Counselling.
Similarities and Differences between Psychodynamic Mechanisms of Defense and Gestalt Boundary Disturbances.
Stages of Psychological Development: A Comparison of Freud and Erikson
Transference and Countertransference in Psychodynamic Approaches to Counselling
The options are:
Psychoanalytic approach (psychoanalysis)
Adlerian Approach
Person-Centred Approach (Rogers)
Existential Approach or therapy (Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, Irving D. Yalom)
Gestalt Approach (Fritz Perls)
