Counseling is a process that allows a person to resolve problems and make decisions affecting their life. Often advice is sought in times of change or crisis, but this is not necessarily the case, as advice can also help us at any time in our lives” (Woods, 2005). Counseling theories are used by counselors as part of their treatment plan for clients. There are many types of theories that counselors can choose from. These theories are usually developed based on the needs of the client and what the counselor believes to be most effective. Counselors don't limit themselves to just one theory when it comes to treating their clients. The theories can be used in conjunction with each other to effectively treat clients. Counseling is not limited to theories, it also involves some discussion with the person. The conversation should aim to help the person resolve the problem(s), improve their outlook, and/or help them change their behavior(s) (Woods, 2005). Many counseling theories intertwine with each other, but one or the other lacks prominence over the other or vice versa. A counselor may start with one theory at the beginning of treatment and may choose to incorporate another as treatment progresses. The counselor may also choose to completely abandon the theory he or she started with at the beginning of the treatment process and resume treatment with another theory. All of the above could proceed ethically, as the patient may progress or regress during treatment and treatment methods may need to be adjusted as your patient makes adjustments. Regardless, the primary goal is to effectively treat the patient in the most ethical and beneficial way possible. The three counseling theories that will be compared...... middle of article...... & D, W. ( 1995). Current psychotherapies (5th ed.). Ithaca: FE Peacock. Rogers, C.R. (1961). Become a person. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Rogers, C., Lyon, H. and Tausch, R. (2013). Become an effective teacher. New York: Rutledge. Sachse, R. and Elliott, R. (2001). Process-outcome research on the variables of humanistic therapy. In DJ Cain, Humanistic Psychotherapies: A Handbook of Research and Practice. Washington: American Psychological Association. Swildens, H. (1977). Controversies within Rogerian: The therapeutic relationship. Tijdschrift voor Psychotherapie, 249-252. Wilson, G. (2011). Behavioral therapy. In R. Corsini and D. Wedding, Current Psychotherapies (9th ed., pp. 235-275). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole. Woods, D. (2005). What is advice? Retrieved March 25, 2014 from Douglas Woods: http://www.dougwoods.com/counsolving.html