Psychologists
have training in different theoretical approaches to psychotherapy.
Many psychologists follow an integrative approach, which
draws from several orientations depending on the client's
needs. The following list of seven orientations covers the
major approaches by psychologists who provide psychotherapy.
This is not an exhaustive list. Please consult your psychologist to determine which approach
he/she plans to use and why. This is a discussion the two
of you should have.
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Tip: Although it may significantly reduce the number
of psychologists identified, more than one of the following
theoretical orientations can be chosen at one time in a
search. Hold the ctrl key down to select up to two different
theoretical orientations.
To learn about different types of theoretical orientations, see:
Behavior
Therapy focuses on overt behavior and emphasizes the
removal of those overt symptoms. The goal of this form of
treatment is the extinction of maladaptive behaviors and
the substitution of more adapative and less anxiety provoking
behaviors. Behavior therapy is based upon the principles
of learning theories, specifically operant and classical
conditioning. In its purity, it focuses solely on behaviors
with no emphasis on the client's private experiences, past,
or inner conflicts. It is typically brief in the number
of sessions and is often used in the treatment of phobias,
compulsions, psychophysiological problems, and sexual dysfunctions. top
Cognitive/Behavioral
Therapy is based upon the concept that an individual's
affect and behavior is determined by the way in which the
individual structures the world through cognitions and schemas
developed from previous experiences. Through therapy, the
client becomes aware of their cognitive distortions and
works towards changing them. Behavioral techniques are used
to test and help change these maladaptive cognitions. Cognitive/Behavioral
therapy has been shown to be very successful in the treatment
of depression and many other disorders. top
Existential/Humanistic
Therapy: The core of existentialism states that the
individual defines life's direction through choices that
also gives the individual the responsibility of those choices.
This may be a source of anguish for the person. In this
therapy, the person is viewed as an individual who is unique
and reflects individual perceptions and attitudes. Therapy
explores the experience of the client and in what manner
mental phenomena present themselves to the client's consciousness.
Humanism comes from the same movement as existentialism
and focuses strongly on a person's sense of self (self-identity
and self-esteem). Psychotherapy is geared to helping the
client find a sense of security, insight, enthusiasm, and
self-identity. top
Interpersonal focuses on improvement in current interpersonal skills and
is often used as a brief treatment with depressive disorders.
Clients are taught to evaluate their interactions with others
and produce an awareness of how those reactions may isolate
themselves and contribute to feelings of depression and
loneliness. Techniques involve reassurance, clarification
of feelings, communication and interpersonal skills, and
testing of perceptions. The therapist is supportive and
aids the client in making decisions and clarifying areas
of conflict. top
Psychodynamic derives from the traditional Psychoanalytic theories of
Freud involving the resolution of childhood neurosis as
it presents itself in transference of the neurosis. The
goal of treatment is the gradual integration of previously
repressed material into the overall structure of the personality.
The therapist needs to prepare the client to deal with anxieties
produced by uncovered material to allow successful integration.
The therapeutic alliance is key to this type of treatment
that involves the patient being open and honest with the
therapist, free association, abstinence, and interpretation
of transference and countertransference. Traditionally,
treatment is long term, but is now implemented in many short-term
treatments. top
Social
Learning relies on role modeling, identification, and
human interactions. This theory combines the ideas of operant
and classical conditioning and states that behavior is a
result of an interplay between cognitions (thoughts) and
the environment. People learn from others and a major goal
of this therapy is to help the client develop a sense of
self-efficacy, the capacity to adapt to everyday life as
well as threatening and anxiety provoking situations as
they arise, by modeling and integrating more adaptive responses. top
Systems: The Systems model comes from the idea that the person
is part of an entire system, and that if one part of the
system is dysfunctional, all other parts are affected by
that, as well as produce that dysfunction. Many factors
influence the expression and experience of illness including
personality, motivation, culture, environment, and family.
The general systems model often focuses on the family systems
in which it holds that every action in the family produces
a reaction in one or more of its members. Each member of
the system plays a role which may change over time and as
one person improves. Therapy involves the exploration of
the system, the external boundaries, and internal rules
in order to help the client(s) become more functional within
that system and to make change as necessary. The outcome
is an individual and a system that function better. top
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