Baruch’s well-liked quote, illustrates the foundation in personality theories. The groundwork determined by a counselors originates in the counselor’s ability of gaining self- awareness, paying no attention to the influences of others, and furthermore, establishing imminent knowledge of a client’s personality. Interpreting personality, identifying personality dynamics, and gaining awareness through self analysis acclimatizes the attention vital in the client-therapist relationship. Learning how to assimilate personality theories, methods, and merge personal experiences reveals a counselors diverse capability. Progressive counselors expand familiarity of theoretical and practical philosophies in class, through the study of resources, exploring case studies, and observing client therapist relations in therapy.
Interpreting Personality The knowledge of personality theories and techniques demonstrate a portion of the qualities needed to be a top notch practitioner. Sigmund Freud led the way to understanding the theory of personality and psychotherapy. Freud’s model of personality development provided insight of personality dynamics and constituted him as the originator or psychoanalysis. The Freudian view manifests around death and sexual highlights in addition to the disbursement of energy systems as the drive of life centered on life instincts. Freud announced the purpose survival, orients on all pleasurable acts in life instinct as a goal to more life and avoiding any pain. According to Freud, the personality consists of three systems: the Id (biological), the Ego (psychological) and the Superego (social.) The Freudian perspective of personal and social development pertains to the life experiences of a child age six or less. The psychoanalytic view focuses on love, trust, dealing with negative feelings as introduced in the early years of life and the later personality development. Erickson’s psychosocial perspective built on Freudians ideas, but focuses on the idea that each stage of life provides opportunity to grow or regress as development is occurs throughout the life span. According to Erickson, the social influences throughout the life span affect development of the ego. Factors in the life’s span make significant changes in the development later of stages, especially when a person is dealing with a later crisis. For example, an infant who did not bonding with a mother, or being abandoned by a caregiver will later influence a person’s ability to deal with attachment issues as established in relationships (Corey, 2005.)
Identifying Personality Dynamics
Personality by definition is the underlying causes within the person of individual behavior and experience (Colninger, 2008.) Personality types divided in four basic types of temperament: sanguine (optimistic), Melancholic (depressed), Choleric (irritable), and phlegmatic (apathetic) (Merenda, 1987.) Personality traits fluctuate from one person to another, influencing a person’s behaviors. Personality researchers compare the characteristics of individuals and how people adjust to their lives, situations, or personality dynamics. Personality dynamics are the motivators of a person’s behaviors. Motivators provide the energy and direction of a goal; however, they vary with different people and theories. Researchers conflict in the description of motivators to behaviors because goals charge from person to person. Cognitive process of an individual provides