A Taxonomy of Counseling Goals and Methods

Abstract

Content analysis and multivariate taxonomic procedures were used to generate taxonomies of counseling methods and goals. Items within each taxonomy were taken from the works of 14 American theorists in counseling and psychotherapy. Seven goal clusters were generated: Transfer of Therapy Learning to Outside Situations, Awareness and Acceptance of Self in Conflict, Specific Symptom Removal, Strengthened Ego Functioning, Awareness of Positive Inner Resources, Learning to Respond to and Control the Environment, and Awareness of Negative Thoughts and Feelings. Six process clusters emerged: Client Acceptance, Active Critical Questioning, Recognition and Interpretation of Unconscious Material, Manipulation of Client Anxiety, Reeducation About Emotional Conflicts, and Support of Client Autonomy. The article discusses the implications of the taxonomies for practice.