Therapeutic ModelsPsychodynamic, Humanistic, Cognitive

Psychotherapy is “a planned, emotionally charged, confiding interaction between a trained, socially sanctioned healer and a sufferer.” (Frank, 1982)

Psychoanalysis

Started with psychoanalysis (Freudian method)

It is the therapist’s job to bring repressed, unconscious feelings into conscious awareness.

http://www.minddisorders.com/images/gemd_02_img0086.jpg

Psychoanalytic techniques

free association

the patient talks freely until they encounter something painful/embarrassing, etc.

we are constantly editing our thoughts before we speak, those edited out bits are the important ones

when free association is blocked, it indicates resistance

it is the therapist’s job to interpret the meaning

dream interpretation

examines and finds meaning in the latent content of your dreams

transference

not a technique, exactly, but an important phenomenon

as you spend a great deal of time with your analyst, you develop strong feelings (positive or negative) for him

these feelings are supposedly the long-repressed feelings that you have for your parents

enables you to work through those feelings

Lots of people like Freud’s idea that disordered behavior is rooted in unconscious drives and early childhood events, but not everyone totally agrees with Freud

Psychodynamic therapies are rooted in the same ideas, but go in a different direction

Ego Psychology

Object Relations Psychology

Self Psychology

Gestalt Psychology

Psychodynamic Therapy

Gestalt Therapyit’s not that Gestalt therapy is a particularly popular psychodynamic therapy, but it is very unique, and provides good insight into how specific therapeutic techniques work

seeks to unify the “whole self”

argues that we “deceive ourselves” all the time about how we’re feeling, what we’re thinking, etc.

when we are deceiving ourselves, it makes us feel guilty, anxious, and unhappy

becoming aware makes our existence meaningful

Gestalt Techniques

Inclusion

therapist tries to experience the moment from the eyes of the patient, and in so doing, makes the patient more aware of himself

Presence

therapist expresses his feelings about the patient to the patient, so the patient can take in the information and make own assertions about himself

http://www.gestalt.org/yontef.htm

Humanistic Therapyfocuses on potential for self-fulfillment

different from psychodynamic perspective because

focuses on present and future, rather than past

conscious thoughts and feelings, rather than unconscious phenomena

encourages personal responsibility for feelings and actions, instead of blaming unconscious determinants

promotes growth instead of trying to cure illness

Client Centered Therapy

focuses on the person’s conscious self-perceptions rather than the therapist’s interpretations

Carl Roger’s humanistic model

Client-Centered Techniques

the therapist should be

non-directive:

doesn’t judge or interpret client’s feelings

genuine, accepting, and empathetic

this allows clients to express their true feelings, feel unconditionally accepted, and deepen their own understanding of themselves

the client should feel unconditional positive regard

The therapist is able to be non-directive, genuine, accepting, and empathetic by using active listening

echoing, restating and seeking clarification of what the person expresses (verbally or non-verbally)

to do this you would:

paraphrase back what the client is saying

reflect feelings expressed in body language

Cognitive Therapyencourages people to question irrational thought patterns that foster unhealthy behavior patters and unhappiness.

Cognitive Techniques

cognitive behavior therapy

alter the way people act while simultaneously altering the way they think

stress inoculation training

specific restructuring of negative self-talk in stressful situations