The Five Major Psychotherapy Theoretical Frameworks

In the counseling world today understanding psychodynamic approaches is more crucial than ever in the assessment and treatment of any psychological issue. Psychodynamic approaches such as Individual therapy, analytical therapy and psychoanalysis are similar in many ways but also differ based on the individuals own perception and circumstances. I will discuss the similarities as well difference’s and why these forms of therapy are critical in the assessment and treatment of clients.

I believe that psychotherapy is a reciprocal process of engagement, learning and changing that happens in both the client and the therapist, Therefore, when the client comes from a radically different cultural background from our own, as clinicians we must familiarize ourselves and adjust to the nature and conditions of that culture. For a while, the most prominent focal point of psychoanalytic studies, literature and practices in the United States has been the “issues concerning the development of the sense of self and personal identity” and “the importance of the child’s early attachment to the mother and the emergence of the self as an independent identity” (Corsini, 2011, p. 26). Through my experience as a client, student and

The study of dreams began in 1953 after Eugene Aserinsky and Nathaniel Kleitman discovered REM sleep - a period of rapid eye movement that corresponded with vivid dream recollections (Aserinskiy and Kleitman). Since that time, psychologists have sought out what the biological purpose of dreams was. Dream psychology can be a difficult field of study due to the fact that we have not found an accurate way to record dreams, relying on the subjective recollections of the subject upon waking them up. There are some questions that we can currently answer, such as What is the content of dreams? To begin, we know that dreams vary greatly in length, from a few seconds to twenty minutes and that humans tend

According to Merriam-Webster, theory is defined as an idea or set of ideas that is intended to explain facts or events. In every profession, theories are necessary to help determine if facts are credible. Credible theories are based on ideas, observations, and research. They have been tested in studies to see if they are effective (Gladding, 2005). For a theory to be considered as a good theory, it must meet certain criteria. It must be clear and easy to understand, comprehensive, written in a way that invites others to explore its uses, contains guidelines that others can follow to achieve desired results, and it must be practical and provides strategies its followers may use under certain conditions (Gladding, 2005).

Among these therapeutic approaches are the psychodynamic approach and the existential approach. An example of existential approach psychotherapy is the person-centred therapy that was introduced by Carl Rogers in the 1940s. Person-centred therapy (PCT) focuses on the quality of the person-to-person therapeutic relationship; it places faith and gives responsibility to the client in dealing with problems and concerns (Corey, 2009, p. 30). On the other hand, for the psychodynamic approach, Sigmund Freud, the core founder of this approach developed psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis is a therapy aimed to treat mental disorder. It is a set of techniques for treating the unconscious causes of mental disorders; as well as to explain the underlying factors of how human personality and abnormality develop from childhood (Corey, 2009, p. 30). This paper examines the similarities and differences between psychoanalytic therapy and

When comparing and contrasting the differences in the three approaches, I will review the relationship between client and counsellor. I will attempt to discover how the relationship is formed and how it is maintained during the therapeutic process. Once this has been established, I will then look at how the changes occur in the therapeutic relationship and which techniques will be used. I will compare and contrast the approaches of Carl Rogers, Sigmund Freud and Albert Ellis. I will look at how their theories have impacted on the counselling processes in modern times and throughout history.

The theories we learned provided a broad-based understanding of numerous factors related to the evolution of counseling and therapy theories and practices, along with new counseling and therapy skills. The important premise that underscores one of the central challenges of counseling and psychotherapy is that we are all in the same world, but each of us makes different sense of what we see and experience. That is, to understand the different ways that clients perceive their strengths and problems as well as the way they make meaning of the world in which they are situated.

The end of the semester has arrived and this research paper is designed to give insight into my own personal theoretical orientation in the counseling field. The problem is that I am still undecided in that respect. I thought that I had a clear and concise choice; however, there are bits and pieces of almost every theory that might provide a resolution to client’s situation. It was Carl Rogers’s person centered therapy which I found was the theoretical approach for me. When the midterm exam was administered there was a question which asked “Which of the theories covered so far is the one that you lean towards.” I was quick and did not even think twice when I answered Carl Rogers’ person centered therapy was my choice theoretical orientation.

Therapists use theories in assisting their clients with different approaches and techniques. These theories are designed to help the client to receive the best treatment possible. Theories enable us to see things from new angles and perspectives, as well as allow us to fully understand relationships in life. Hagan (2011) research has proven that “One cannot begin teaching the specifics of theoretical influences and practice methods without providing the underpinning foundation of the values and socio-political framework of practices” (p. 1222). Our theories may be incomplete, poorly developed, based on limited information, and biased to fit our needs, but we still use them to guide our behaviors. Coakley (2011) mentions “When

A dream, by definition, is a sequence of emotions, ideas, images, and sensations that involuntarily occur in the mind at various times; typically during the rapid-eye movement (REM) stage of sleep (American Heritage Dictionary, 2000). Throughout history, dreams have been the cause of much speculation; holding both philosophical and religious interests (Hobson, 2009). Before the days of scientific research, opinions varied regarding dreams, and their usefulness in psychotherapy. Dreams were often viewed as either being divinely inspired or having derived from a dark, evil source. Even in today’s scientifically advanced society; dreams are still not totally understood.

While laboratory research is the most common way to collect data on dreams, Domhoff recognizes that dreams can’t be forced to happen and there is a risk is taking the accounts written in dream journals as 100% accurate. Many times participants may decide to omit certain information for reasons such as embarrassment.

The purpose of this paper was to conceptualize a theory based upon existing ideas to create something unique. My theoretical view is based around the foundation and work of three theorist; Fromm, Rogers, and Maslow. Each individual presented a unique aspect, idea, or theory that was instrumental to the construction of my own. It does not have a working title but I can tell you that it most definitely has a purpose and a set of ideals that I believe will and can improve the lives of many. My theory is based upon three distinct principles and many minor tidbits. The first is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs this is a description of needs that motivate behavior, second is Fromm’s theory on the art of loving, third Piaget’s theory of cognitive development. Each theorist background played an important part in the conception of their theory so each will be discussed. My theory is not a cure but I believe if a person can follow the core beliefs one can achieve happiness. I also draw concepts from Jimmy Valvano who was not a psychiatrist but a college basketball coach who inspired me as well. Muhammad Ali is another figure that I’ve drawn inspiration from in forming my theory. My approach is one of an eclectic nature meaning that is a therapeutic approach that incorporates a variety of therapeutic principles and philosophies in order to create the ideal treatment program to meet the specific needs of the patient or client. The actual approach that I would use in therapy is closely

In this paper, two approaches to therapy will be described, evaluated and finally compared and contrasted with each other. The two approaches the author chose are psychoanalysis and person centered therapy. Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud at the end of the nineteenth century and was one the very first integrated approaches to psychotherapy (Hergenhahn, 2000). Psychoanalysis works predominantly with the unconscious level of the mind and assumes that most mental disturbances stem from problems connected to the unconscious (Hough, 2012). On the other hand, the theory behind person centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers mid-twentieth century, states that any person is able to find the resolution to his or her problems

The purpose of this paper is to present a brief comparison of the approach to psychotherapy using Client–centred therapy and Rational-emotive behaviour therapy. The Client–centred therapy and Rational-emotive behaviour therapy are both offspring’s of great personalities in the field of psychological therapy, Carl Ransom Rogers and Albert Ellis respectively. They were the creators of these fundamental therapeutic approaches, which proved to be of great importance in the development and evolution of counselling and psychotherapy. There are several commonalities between the two approaches of therapy and also some profound differences between them, such as nature of the therapist, aims, goals and strategies to name a few (Ziegler, 2000). What

First of all, I decided to search the internet in order to find an answer for my specific research question. I had to weed out the unreliable sources versus the reliable sources. I also kept a dream journal for my own personal