Theoretical Orientations and Practices of Therapists
Major Theoretical Orientations in Psychotherapy about.com
(from http://www.planetpsych.com/zTreatment/psychotherapy.htm)
What theoretical approach should I choose?
Behavioral The goal of behavioral therapy is the unlearning of unwanted behaviors (thoughts and feelings can be regarded as behaviors)
and learning of desired behaviors in their place.
Cognitive alter maladaptive thought patterns, such as overgeneralization or wishful thinking.
Journal of Integrative and Eclectic
Psychotherapy
Existential It focuses upon taking responsibility for our own choices and creating meaning and purpose in our lives.
It is particularly useful for people who are coping with issues of death and dying....."self-actualization," of the desire
to always seek out to become something more of oneself in the future.
Psychoanalysis help the patient understand how the forces at work in their unconscious affect their conscious life with the
idea that once the patient consciously understands these forces, they will be able to make choices about their lives rather
than being at the whim of these unknown forces.
Psychodynamichowever, it allows for mixing of orientations, is shorter in duration and practitioners are more communicative than psychoanalysts
