Therapeutic Models Psychodynamic, 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.

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 Therapy it’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 ontef.htm

Humanistic Therapy focuses 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 Therapy encourages 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