A discussion on the main schools of psychotherapy and their positive aspects in the therapeutic context.
The following paper examines how psychotherapy can be used in many different situations, depending on the needs and desires of the patient. The writer examines several different approaches to psychotherapy based on different viewpoints or beliefs of the originators of the therapy. This paper examines the theories and approaches of Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler and Carl Jung. In addition the way in which the ideas of Albert Ellis and others were added to and developed into different approaches to psychotherapy, will also be examined. The writer examines and divides the psychotherapeutic approaches of the above theorists into three main categories- psychodynamic, behavioral and cognitive.
“The term psychotherapy encompasses many different forms of therapy. The first modern form of psychotherapy was called the “talking cure”. Psychotherapy had its early beginnings when psychologists, priests, etc. attempted to determine the causes of the person’s emotional distress by talking, counseling, educating and interpreting dreams and behavior. These practices however fell into disrepute. The many varieties of therapy practiced today still are characterized by their common dependence on verbal exchange between the counselor or therapist and the client. Psychotherapy can be defined as a means of treating psychological or emotional problems such as neurosis or personality disorder through verbal and non-verbal communication.”