Psychodynamic Therapy
All psychodynamic theories of counseling stem from Freudian Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud. Although the theories are not identical, they all share the belief that people are driven by their unconscious and irrational motives. The unconscious is said to be a level of the mind out of immediate awareness, which is animalistic, primal, and instinct-driven. The unconscious is the source of human creativity, but can also be a source of destruction. The causes of abnormal behaviors are unconscious, and the only way to get to the bottom of an individual’s mental illness is to uncover the unconscious through insight-oriented therapy.
The therapist’s job through this theory is to work as a catalyst for the individual to gain insight into their unconscious. Self-examination by the client is key to finding the causes of mental illness. The therapist plays a passive role in therapy, allowing the client to make discoveries on their own. In some more contemporary psychodynamic theories, the therapist plays a more active role than Freud would have recommended, but the basic principle of allowing self-discovery is the same. Several insight-oriented techniques are used in therapy to help the client achieve awareness.
The therapist’s job through this theory is to work as a catalyst for the individual to gain insight into their unconscious. Self-examination by the client is key to finding the causes of mental illness. The therapist plays a passive role in therapy, allowing the client to make discoveries on their own. In some more contemporary psychodynamic theories, the therapist plays a more active role than Freud would have recommended, but the basic principle of allowing self-discovery is the same. Several insight-oriented techniques are used in therapy to help the client achieve awareness.
Behavior Therapy
All behavior theories are based on using learning principles to change the target behavior of the client. Classical conditioning is a primary example of the principles used in therapy. Classical conditioning is the process of behavior modification by which a subject comes to respond in a desired manner to a previously neutral stimulus that has been repeatedly presented along with an unconditioned stimulus that elicits the desired response (Classical conditioning, 2013).
Concerning mental illness, behavior therapy aims to remove the negative symptoms experienced by the client rather than to alter their personality or search for a disease. The motto of behavior therapy is “cure the symptoms and you have eliminated the neurosis” (Weckowicz, 1984, pp. 138).
Because of the emphasis on changing behaviors, therapists using this model are not as concerned with emotional interactions with their clients as theorists using other perspectives. The concrete behaviors of the client are taken into consideration more than the client’s verbalizations. Some of the theories of behavior therapy emphasize a therapeutic connection more than others, but all theories aim to look at definitive behaviors and provide definitive solutions (Weckowicz, 1984).
Concerning mental illness, behavior therapy aims to remove the negative symptoms experienced by the client rather than to alter their personality or search for a disease. The motto of behavior therapy is “cure the symptoms and you have eliminated the neurosis” (Weckowicz, 1984, pp. 138).
Because of the emphasis on changing behaviors, therapists using this model are not as concerned with emotional interactions with their clients as theorists using other perspectives. The concrete behaviors of the client are taken into consideration more than the client’s verbalizations. Some of the theories of behavior therapy emphasize a therapeutic connection more than others, but all theories aim to look at definitive behaviors and provide definitive solutions (Weckowicz, 1984).
Humanistic Therapy
The humanistic theories are considered the “third force” of psychology, after psychoanalysis and behaviorism. In opposition to these theories, humanists are anti-reductionist and do not look at human behavior as being driven by a few simplistic mechanisms. Humanistic theorists maintain a holistic view of mankind, and are interested in integrating the person as a whole when looking at personality. They believe that personality is controlled by the inner self, and that humans have a natural drive to self-actualize, or reach their full potential. Fully actualized people are described as mature, well-adjusted, have meaning in life, and are happy.
Mental health is looked at as a continuum, with fully self-actualized individuals on the positive end, and those with severe mental illness on the negative end. These theorists look at neurosis as simply a stunt in personal growth (which is blocking the potential to self-actualize). The disease model of mental illness is rejected, and a positive view of mental health is maintained. Some core reasons behind mental illness would be meaninglessness in life, having no values, or becoming preoccupied with attaining extrinsic values--such as success over others. All individuals who suffer from mental illness are said to need to get back on the path of self-actualization, which is the goal in therapy (Weckowicz, 1984).
Mental health is looked at as a continuum, with fully self-actualized individuals on the positive end, and those with severe mental illness on the negative end. These theorists look at neurosis as simply a stunt in personal growth (which is blocking the potential to self-actualize). The disease model of mental illness is rejected, and a positive view of mental health is maintained. Some core reasons behind mental illness would be meaninglessness in life, having no values, or becoming preoccupied with attaining extrinsic values--such as success over others. All individuals who suffer from mental illness are said to need to get back on the path of self-actualization, which is the goal in therapy (Weckowicz, 1984).
Sources
Classical conditioning [Def. 1]. (2013). In The Free Dictionary, Retrieved February 27, 2013, from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/classical+conditioning
Weckowicz, T.E. (1984). Models of mental illness: Systems and theories of abnormal psychology. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Written by: Erica Cockrell
Weckowicz, T.E. (1984). Models of mental illness: Systems and theories of abnormal psychology. Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas.
Written by: Erica Cockrell