Goals of Therapy
Involves a therapist who uses a range of techniques:
to help patient overcome troubles
gain insight
to help a person change behavior
improve an individual’s well-being and mental health
to resolve or mitigate troublesome behaviors, beliefs, compulsions, thoughts, or emotions, and to improve relationships and social skills
What psychotherapy is actually?
Myth
A therapist tells you exactly what to do. Therapy is just a conversation.
Reality
A therapist acts as a guide, not a boss. They help you develop the skills and understanding to work toward your own goals.
Myth
Therapy is about blame and judgment.
Reality
Therapy is a supportive, judgment-free zone. It’s a place where you’re listened to with empathy, and the entire focus is on your needs and well-being.
Myth
Therapy is just mind-reading and a cure-all.
Reality
Therapy is an active process where you partner with a therapist to address your specific issues. It’s about finding solutions to your problems, improving relationships, and receiving validation.
Mental Health Professionals Who Provide Therapy
Psychologists
Clinical social workers
Marriage and family therapists
Professional Counselors
Career/Guidance Counselor
Child Psychologists
Different Techniques/Forms of Therapies
One-on-one
Group Therapy
Related: What is Family Therapy?
In group therapy, several people who do not know each other meet with a therapist. They talk about their mental health and often focus on a shared issue.
Types of Psychotherapies
Psychodynamic
Sigmund Freud: Father of Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis (1896)
Basic Assumptions
The major causes of behavior have their origin in the unconscious.
Psychic determinism: all behavior has a cause/reason.
Different parts of the unconscious mind are in constant struggle.
Our behavior and feelings as adults (including psychological problems) are rooted in our childhood experiences.
Methodology
Case Study
Dream Analysis
Free Association
Projective Tests
Slips of the Tongue
Hypnosis
Behavior Therapy
Behavior Modification became popular in (1920s and 1950s).
Basic Assumptions
Behaviorism is primarily concerned with observable behavior, as opposed to internal events like thinking.
Behavior comes from stimulus and response. This means all behavior, no matter how complex, can be broken down into simple stimulus and response parts.
Behavior is determined by the environment (e.g., conditioning, nurture).
Eliminate unwanted behavior by replacing it with functional behavior through learning and conditioning
Aims to change behavior to change emotions and moods
Exposure Therapy, Systematic Desensitization and Aversive Conditioning
Methodology / Studies
Experimental Method
Bobo Doll Study
Skinner Box
Pavlov’s Dogs
Ethical Considerations
Humanistic Therapeutic Approach
Basic Assumptions
Each person and each experience is unique. Psychologists should treat each case individually. They should not rely on averages from group studies.
Belief that present and future are more important then past.
Emphasis on individual’s inherent capacity for making rational choices, achieving self acceptance and attaining their maximum potential
Insight-oriented and more focused on promoting internal growth rather than curing the illness.
Methodology
Unconditional Positive Regard
Congruence (authenticity/genuineness/transparency)
Empathic understanding
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (1950s)
“People are not disturbed by things but rather by their view of things.” –Albert Ellis
Albert Ellis Laid the foundation for what is now known as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Main Aspect
Seeks to reshape these core beliefs in those experiencing a wide range of mental health conditions, thereby enabling them to live full, satisfying lives free from unnecessary psychological distress.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy (1970s)
REBT + Cognitive therapy
Main Aspect
Focus on recognizing the negative thoughts and errors in logic that cause depressed
Question and challenge the dysfunctional thoughts, try out new interpretations, and ultimately apply alternative ways of thinking daily lives.
