Chapter 5: Therapeutic Approaches

Nature and Process of Psychotherapy

• Psychotherapy: Voluntary relationship between client and therapist for solving psychological problems.
• Goals: Change maladaptive behaviors, reduce personal distress, and improve environment adaptation.
• Characteristics: Systematic application of therapy principles, limited to trained professionals.
• Relationship: Confidential, interpersonal, and dynamic; aims to build trust and facilitate change.
• Goals Include:
  • Reinforcing resolve for betterment.
  • Lessening emotional pressure.
  • Positive growth potential.
  • Modifying habits and thinking patterns.
  • Increasing self-awareness and improving interpersonal relations.

Therapeutic Relationship

• Therapeutic Alliance: Contractual, trusting, and confiding relationship between client and therapist.
• Properties:
  • High trust level for client to open up.
  • Unconditional positive regard from therapist.
  • Empathy over sympathy to understand client’s perspective.
  • Confidential and professional nature.

Types of Therapies

• Psychodynamic Therapy: Focus on intrapsychic conflicts.
• Behavior Therapy: Addresses faulty behaviors and thought patterns.
• Cognitive Therapy: Focus on irrational beliefs causing distress.
• Existential Therapies: Explore meaning of life and personal growth.

Behaviour Therapy

• Focus: Maladaptive behavior patterns.
• Techniques:
  • Negative reinforcement and aversive conditioning.
  • Positive reinforcement and token economy.
  • Systematic desensitization for phobias.
• Method: Behavioral analysis and formulation of treatment packages.

Cognitive Therapy

• Rational Emotive Therapy (RET): By Albert Ellis.
  • ABC Analysis (Antecedent-Belief-Consequence).
  • Refutation of irrational beliefs.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

• Approach: Integrates cognitive and behavior therapies.
• Focus: Biological, psychological, and social aspects of psychopathology.
• Effectiveness: Short and efficacious for various disorders.

Humanistic-existential Therapy

• Focus: Loneliness, alienation, and self-actualization.
• Approach: Encourage personal growth and emotional expression.

Existential Therapy

• Logotherapy: By Victor Frankl. Focuses on finding meaning in life.
• Client-Centered Therapy: By Carl Rogers emphasizes empathy and unconditional positive regard.

Gestalt Therapy

• Goal: Increase self-awareness and self-acceptance.
• Method: Recognize and act out blocked emotions and conflicts.

Factors Contributing to Healing

• Techniques: Effective application by therapists.
• Catharsis: Emotional unburdening.
• Non-specific Factors: Client motivation and therapist's mental health.

Ethics in Psychotherapy

• Standards: Informed consent, confidentiality, alleviating distress, integrity, respect, and professional competence.

Alternative Therapies

• Examples: Yoga, meditation, acupuncture.
• Benefits: Improved well-being, mood, attention, and stress tolerance.

Rehabilitation of the Mentally Ill

• Aim: Improve quality of life and self-sufficiency.
• Therapies: Occupational, social skills, and vocational training.

Key Terms

• Examples: Alternative therapy, behavior therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, empathy, etc.

Review and Project Ideas

• Review Questions: Cover psychotherapy scope, types, techniques, healing factors, etc.
• Project Ideas: Explore token systems and unconditional positive regard effects.

Weblinks and Pedagogical Hints

• Web Resources: Links for further reading.
• Hints: Connections to personality theories, role-play for understanding applications.