Psychological Therapies, or
Psychotherapies, are forms of treatment which involve talking to a trained
therapist in order to help you overcome your difficulties.
Within all the different modalities of psychological therapy,
it is generally agreed that it is the relationship between therapist and client
which most influences the progress and outcome of therapy.
Some of
the most common therapies are briefly described below:
Behaviour Therapy
The way we feel influences the
way we behave. If we can therefore learn to behave differently in a
particular situation, this will help to reduce the difficult feelings.
Particularly useful for anxiety related problems.
Similar to Behaviour Therapy, but in addition to looking at how our
feelings affect our behaviour, CBT looks at the links between our thoughts (cognitions),
feelings and behaviour. If we can change the way we think about something, this will
help us change the way we feel, and the way we behave.
Involves the client talking about their difficulties with a
counsellor, who plays a listening and supportive role, and may sometimes provide practical
advice on problem-solving. Person Centred Counselling
or Psychotherapy is based upon the work of Carl Rogers, who advocated the
establishment of a therapeutic relationship between client and therapist, which
includes genuineness, unconditional positive regard (non-judgemental), empathic
understanding and active listening. It is these attributes of a
client-therapist relationship upon which all other modern psychotherapies are
based.
Systemic Therapy ('Family Therapy')
This therapy focuses on how
people get on as part of a group or system. This is often
their immediate family but might also include their community or
school/workplace. Systemic therapists often see problems as being in a
group of people (or 'system') rather than in one
person (the client). If you see a systemic therapist you
may, but not necessarily, see them with other members
of your family or social group.
(Brief) Solution Focused
Therapy (BSFT)
Solution focused therapy is a talking therapy that is brief
and effective. It can be brief because it is future-focused and because it works with the
strengths of those who come by making the best use of their resources, and it can bring
about lasting change precisely because it aims to build solutions rather than solve
problems. Rather than focusing on a person's problems, the therapist and
client work together to identify the goal, what the client want to achieve, then use
various techniques to reach that goal. (Click for PowerPoint presentation on
Solution
Focused Therapy)
Group Therapy
Several people with similar problems meet together.
Group Therapy can vary, with the group facilitators or leaders using any of the
therapies listed above. Most group therapies last 1 - 1.5 hours, for weekly
sessions. Some groups are 'closed' - being attended only by those who are invited,
and no new members can join. Closed groups run for a certain amount of time,
normally several weeks. Open groups are those that are run at the same time each
week, and are open to anyone to join at any time (although group members are expected not
to be late for the start of a session, nor leave early).
Some group therapies can be 'led' by a group leader,
perhaps in an educational-type method, or in Inter-Personal Group therapies (Yalom), the
group itself is the therapist. The group member gains (Yalom's Curative Factors):
support from other group members, the installation of hope, ability to identify with
others and lessen feelings of being alone, exchange of information, help each other (each
group member gains from giving as well as receiving), the group can resemble a family and
the group members take on various roles which all can discuss and provide feedback on,
improve social and interpersonal skills, trust and open-ness.
Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is simply a method of deep
relaxation, which enables the therapist to use any of the
psychotherapeutic approaches in a more effective way. In a
deeply relaxed state, our conscious mind - whilst still being aware of what is
happening, being said, and being fully able to 'wake up' - is less likely to
resist the therapy with negative thoughts. The subconscious mind is also
more receptive to the therapeutic intervention, which it is
considered makes therapy more effective. More information here
Cognitive Analytical Therapy (CAT)
This approach draws on
psychoanalytic as well as cognitive techniques. A structured and focused
framework is used to encourage patients to understand the origins of their
attitudes and beliefs, and the effect they have on present feelings and
behaviour in order that change may occur.
Transactional Analysis(TA)
Founded by Eric Berne, this approach uses what have become
relatively well-known models such as 'life scripts' and 'ego-states' (parent,
adult, child) to help a client gain insight and control over their behaviour and
lives.
Constructivist Therapies
This
approach is based on the theory that we construct our own ideas of the world
through our experiences. These 'constructs' affect what we do, believe,
think and feel.
Humanistic Psychotherapy
Influenced by Carl Rogers, Humanistic psychotherapy
includes client-centred and Gestalt approaches. It helps increase a
person's self-awareness, and their ability to take control over their lives and
make positive choices about their current and future lives.
Integrative Psychotherapy
Some therapists prefer to use a multi-dimensional model
which uses relevant and effective techniques from other approaches.
Gestalt Therapy
Based upon the
theory that the whole of a person's experience - thoughts, emotions, body
sensations - is important. Founded by Fritz Perls, it focuses more on the
'here and now' or the process rather than the content of what is happening or
being discussed.
Narrative Therapy
This approach
is based on the theory that we make sense of our lives through stories or
narratives, which may be either positive or problematic. Narrative therapy
aims to help people re-author their lives.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
NLP consists of a wide range of methods and models for
understanding how people think, behave and change. It offers a flexible approach which
brings about positive, fast change in individuals and empowers us to adapt to an
ever-shifting world. NLP is about communication, language and enables us to
re-programme our minds quickly and effectively.
It uses techniques such as "the swish", "the fast phobia cure", and
"anchoring".
Psycho-analysis
Psychoanalysis is a form of talking therapy based originally on the
work of Sigmund Freud. If you see a psychoanalyst this may feel very different from the
therapies described above. The therapist will allow you to
talk and bring feelings to the surface, allowing you to understand them, in the
light of your unconscious wishes, desires
and conflicts, which your conscious mind has been trying to
protect you from.
Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Psychodynamic psychotherapy is very similar to psychoanalysis, as it looks at
emotional problems as being due to the individuals' unconscious conflicts and
desires, but it is less Freudian in its approach.
