Chapter 71. Types of Therapies and Therapists
Learning Objectives
Describe the specific goals and methods of the major forms of psychotherapy.
Identify the major types of psychotherapists.
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1. All forms of psychotherapy share some common elements: hope for demoralized people; the possibility for a new perspective on oneself and the world; and the experience of a caring relationship between the therapist and the client, based on empathy and trust. But each type of psychotherapy has unique characteristics reflecting the perspective of its founders.
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2. Psychoanalysis aims to uncover previously repressed emotions to help clients gain insight into their current problems. A related approach called psychodynamic therapy focuses on themes and conflicts that reappear in many of the client’s relationships from childhood to adulthood.
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3. Humanistic therapies explore the current conscious thoughts of clients rather than searching for the root causes of their problems. The therapist provides a supportive, non judgmental environment, and tries to help clients understand their true feelings and take responsibility for their actions.
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4. Behavior therapies focus on the symptoms rather than the origins of a client's problems. The therapist tries to help the client "unlearn" problem behaviors and replace undesirable conditioned responses with more useful responses.
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5. Cognitive therapies are based on the idea that some negative experiences, such as depression, are influenced by the way people interpret their experiences and think about them. Cognitive therapists try to teach people new ways to think about their current problems and their future options, and help them look at themselves in new, more positive ways.
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6. Group therapies and family therapies bring people together in a supportive social environment. Guided by the therapist, the clients work through their problems and improve their relationships. This is particularly helpful for clients whose problems include dysfunctional interactions with other people.
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7. Psychotherapy is administered by trained mental health professionals with a variety of educational backgrounds and specializations. Counselors typically have 2 to 4 years of graduate training and specialize in relatively mild problems arising from family relations, workplace problems, or substance abuse. Clinical social workers (also called psychiatric social workers) have a 2-year master's degree plus additional training. They offer therapy for relatively mild problems including mild depression, eating disorders, or family conflicts.
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8. Clinical psychologists and counseling psychologists usually have a Ph.D. or Psy.D. They are trained to administer and interpret psychological tests, as well as to offer therapy for a wide range of problems, including all the major psychological disorders. Psychiatrists are often confused with clinical psychologists, but, in fact, psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of psychological disorders and are licensed to prescribe drugs.
Practice 1: Goals of Major Psychotherapies
Practice 1: Goals of Major Psychotherapies
Roll over each type of psychotherapy to see a brief description of its goals.
Psychoanalysis
Psychodynamic Therapy
Humanistic Therapies
Behavior Therapies
Cognitive Therapies
Group/Family Therapies
Goals of therapy:
attempts to help people gain insight into the unconscious origins of their disorders (often in childhood experiences) and release repressed feelings
attempts to help people identify recurring themes, conflicts, and defense mechanisms in relationships stretching from childhood into the adult years, as a way of resolving current problems at work and in the home
attempts to help people gain self-awareness and self-acceptance, while taking responsibility for their own actions and feelings, as a step toward reaching their full potential
attempts to help people use the principles of learning and conditioning to eliminate unwanted behaviors and habits
attempts to help people identify irrational thoughts and unrealistic beliefs, and then teach them to think and act in more adaptive ways
attempts to create a supportive social context which will promote communication and understanding, allowing people to resolve issues and improve relationships
Practice 2: Methods of the Major Psychotherapies
Practice 2: Methods of the Major Psychotherapies
Roll over each type of psychotherapy to see a brief description of its methods.
Psychoanalysis
Psychodynamic therapy
Humanistic therapies
Behavior therapies
Cognitive therapies
Group/Family therapies
Methods of therapy:
uses free association (saying the first word that pops into mind), dream analysis, and interpretation of everyday behaviors, including slips of the tongue
uses face-to-face sessions to analyze the person's conflicts and defenses in current relationships
use active listening to reflect the person's true feelings in an environment of unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathy
use techniques from classical and operant conditioning, including counterconditioning and behavior modification, to eliminate unwanted behaviors
use dialogue with the person to identify irrational thoughts, then help the person practice new positive ways of thinking and talking about one's situation
use a supportive social environment to explore problem behaviors and promote better communication and understanding
Practice 3: Background and Training of Therapists
Practice 3: Background and Training of Therapists
Roll over each type of therapist to see a brief description.
Counselors
Clinical/Counseling psychologists
Psychiatrists
Types of therapists:
typically have 2 to 4 years of graduate training; specialize in relatively mild problems arising from family relations, workplace problems, or substance abuse
have a 2-year master's degree, plus additional training; offer therapy for relatively mild problems, including mild depression, eating disorders, or family conflicts
usually have a Ph.D. or Psy.D.; trained to administer and interpret psychological tests, as well as to offer therapy for a wide range of problems, including all the major psychological disorders
medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of psychological disorders; licensed to prescribe drugs
Quiz 1
Quiz 1
Drag each type of psychotherapy to the gray area in front of of the appropriate description. When all the terms for psychotherapies have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.
Quiz 2
Quiz 2
Match the types of therapists to their descriptions by dragging each colored circle to the appropriate description. When all the circles have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.