Story Line Will Hunting is a self-taught mathematical genius working as a janitor at MIT. A math professor discovers Will and takes him on as a protege, with the court-order that Will must go into counseling to deal with his anger.
Teaching With This Movie Therapy Techniques
Briefly describe different theoretical approaches to counseling psychology, such as behavioral, cognitive, psychoanalysis, humanistic, and holistic therapies. Identify types of people and/or mental health issues that each theoretical approach might be best suited to treat.
Idea #2 Self Actualization
Humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow developed the idea of Self Actualization, or a person's drive to fulfill their potential through their life's work. List the characteristics that Maslow identified for self-actualized people. Does Will Hunting possess these characteristics? Would you say that Will is on a path of self-actualization, even though he is not fulfilling his potential in the way that others around him thought he should?
