Following are the main psychotherapies:
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Behaviour Therapy
• Humanistic Therapy or
Existential Therapy Parameters of classification are as follows :
- What is the cause of the problem?
(a) Psychodynamic therapy-Intrapsychic conflicts (id, ego and super ego) causes problems.
(b) Behaviour therapy-Faulty learning of behaviours and unrealistic cognition , (thinking process) cause problems.
(c) Existential therapy-Ansviev about the meaning of one’* life and existence is not available.
- How did the cause come into existence?
(а) Psychodynamic therapy-Intrapsychic conflicts are caused due to unfulfilled desires of childhood or unresolved fears which cause fixation and repression during psycho-** stages of life.
(b) Behaviour therapy-Faulty conditioning patterns, faulty learning through improper rewards, faulty thinking and beliefs.
(c) Existential therapy-Current feelings of loneliness, aimless life or meaningless existence.
- What is the chief method of treatment?
(a) Psychodynamic therapy-Free association and reporting of dream to make the person confront and resolve the conflict.
(b) Behaviour therapy-To identify faulty conditioning patterns and faulty learning and to challenge the faulty thinking patterns.
(c) Existential therapy-Providing positive, non-judgmental and accepting therapeutic environment. Therapist acts as a facilitator helping client solve his own problems and arrive at solution through personal growth.
- What is the nature of the therapeutic relationship?
(a) Psychodynamic therapy-Therapist understands the client and is more capable in interpreting his thoughts and feelings.
(b) Behaviour therapy-Therapist is able to identify faulty behaviour and thought patterns and is capable of finding out correct behaviour and realistic thought patterns.
(c) Existential therapy-Therapist provides warm and emphatic relationship helping the client feel secured to explore the causes of his problems himself and herself.
- What is the chief benefit to the client?
(a) Psychodynamic therapy-Emotional insight to resolve problems.
(b) Behaviour therapy-Adaptive and healthy behaviour and thought pattern to reduce stress.
(c) Existential therapy-Personal growth by increasing understanding of one’* aspirations, emotions and motives.
- What is the duration of treatment?
(a) Psychodynamic therapy-Classical psychoanalysis lasts for several years. New version? 10- 15 sessions.
(b) Behaviour therapy-Short and completed within few months.
(c) Existential therapy-Short and completed within few months.
