Select your theory. You will need to determine whether to use a broad range of theorists who have contributed to the counseling literature including, but not limited to, psychoanalytic, family systems, cognitive behavioral, emotion-focused, narrative, solution-focused or attachment theory. There are, of course, many other theories you can select.
Determine your thesis statement. A thesis statement explains the subject that you will be discussing and your hypothesis or the position you will take with respect to the material. An effective thesis statement is typically one paragraph in length, but sets the tone for the entire paper. Not every paper you will write in university requires one, however when writing a paper using theory it is helpful, as it allows you to take on a small portion of the theory and narrow it down to something that can be written about more comprehensively. For example, you may choose to write about how family systems theory is used to respond to trauma survivors as opposed to writing about family systems theory more broadly.
Write your introduction. This section introduces your topic, summarizing the theory as it applies to your chosen subject and essentially lays a road map for your readers to follow. An effective introduction includes the key points that will be addressed in your paper, a quote from an expert or authority on the subject and a definition of key points that will be raised.
Build the body of your paper. The body of the paper should flow from the introduction. If your introduction has truly been drafted as a road map, then the body is then drafted and organized to logically follow the introduction. Ideally you will raise and address points in the same order that they occurred in the introduction.
Use the body of your paper to provide appropriate analysis. In the body of your paper you will not only advise the reader what the theory is and how it applies to your subject or thesis, but you will also provide an analysis. Your analysis should highlight what is effective about your selected theory, but also what is missing. Is there anything that your selected theory lacks? For example, you might look at how cognitive behavioral theory identifies the importance of emotions but does not seek to address and integrate emotions for trauma victims. You might then determine which theory might fill that gap or argue that this is unnecessary and provide your reasoning.
Complete your paper by writing a conclusion. Your conclusion should summarize succinctly key points of the theory and of your analysis. Determine whether you find your thesis, or earlier position, to be correct or whether you now hold a different opinion.
Give credit where credit is due. Not only are you responsible for crediting authors throughout the paper by including citations with the authors' names, dates written and page numbers in parenthesis, but you must also include a reference page that lists all works used in the researching and writing of your paper.