Ep 6 – What Is “Healthy”? Breaking Down Early Counseling Theories

In this episode of Woe to Woah, I’m diving into the foundational counseling theories that shaped modern mental health therapy. Whether you’re a fellow counseling student, future therapist, or just someone curious about how therapy works, this is your intro to how some of psychology’s OGs defined what it means to be “healthy.”

As a grad student in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, I’m sharing what I’ve been learning in my Theories of Counseling class—including a little midterm prep (thanks for studying with me!). I’ll break down how early theorists like Freud, Adler, Rogers, Frankl, and others viewed mental health, dysfunction, and the path to personal growth. 💭✨

Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• 🧠 Freud & Psychoanalytic Theory: Inner conflict, unconscious desires, and how repression leads to anxiety.
• 👥 Adlerian Therapy: Striving for superiority and the importance of social connection.
• 🕊️ Existential Therapy (Frankl & Yalom): Finding meaning in life—even through suffering.
• 💡 Person-Centered Therapy (Carl Rogers): Congruence, authenticity, and self-actualization.
• 🧩 Gestalt Therapy (Fritz Perls): Letting go of the past and living in the present moment.
• 🌱 Relational-Cultural Therapy: Building connection, community, and identity—especially for folks who've felt disconnected or marginalized.

✨ Why This Episode Matters
I don’t just talk through these theories—I reflect on how they relate to my own experiences, especially as a queer woman in a counseling program. Some of these ideas really hit home, and I’m excited to share how they’re shaping the way I understand both myself and the work I’ll do with clients.

💬 I Want to Hear from You
Which theory resonated most with you? Want me to do a deeper dive on any of them? DM me or drop a comment on Instagram or TikTok: @woetowoah

🎓 This Episode Is for You If You're:

• A counseling or psychology student
• A new clinician or therapy intern
• Someone who’s therapy-curious
• Interested in how therapists learn to help people

📌 Keywords:
mental health counseling theories, Freud psychoanalysis, Adlerian therapy, existential therapy, Frankl, Carl Rogers person-centered, Gestalt therapy explained, relational cultural theory, graduate school counseling podcast, therapy student podcast, what is mental health, how therapists learn theories