Behavior Therapy

What is behavior therapy - it is the focus on directly observable behavior, current determinants of behavior, learning experiences that promote change, tailoring treatment strategies to individual clients, & rigorous assessment and evaluation (Corey, 2012, p. 247).


Key Figures:  Burrhus Frederic Skinner & Albert Bandura

B. F. Skinner
B. F. Skinner (1904 - 1990). Skinner is best known as the father of behavioral approach to psychology (Corey, 2012, p.245).
Skinner influenced education as well as psychology. In Skinner’s view, education has two major purposes: (1) to teach repertoires of both verbal and nonverbal behavior; and (2) to encourage students to display an interest in instruction. He endeavored to bring students’ behavior under the control of the environment by reinforcing it only when particular stimuli were present.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner)
Albert Bandura
Albert Bandura (1925-) Bandura broadened the scope of behavior therapy by exploring the inner cognitive-affective forces that motivate human behavior (Corey, 2012, p. 245).  Key Concepts: Behavior therapy is used to treat several different psychological disorders varying from anxiety disorders to eating disorders.  Four areas of development 1) Classical conditioning 2) Operant conditioning 3) Social-cognitive theory 4) Cognitive behavior therapy. The current trend in behavior therapy is toward developing procedures that give control to clients and thus increase their range of freedom (Corey, 2012, p. 250). According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 255) "In contrast, most behavioral practitioners contend that factors such as warmth, empathy, authenticity, permissiveness, and acceptance are necessary, but not sufficient, for behavior change to occur." Techniques:  In today's society behavior therapists use a wide range of techniques involving cognitive therapy as well as other behavioral conditioning techniques. According to an article (Corey, 2012, 278) "In helping clients achieve their goals, behavior therapists typically assume an active and directive role."  Basically, therapists in today's society want to help the client through various techniques to overcome past actions in their behavior by implementing new positive behaviors. Techniques such as role playing, relaxation procedures, behavioral rehearsal, coaching, guided practice, modeling, feedback, learning by successive approximations, mindfulness skills, and homework assignments can be included in any therapist's repertoire, regardless of theoretical orientation (Corey, 2012, p. 278). Goals of the theory:  The main goals of behavior therapy is for clients' current behavior to be changed to a better way of life. "Behavior therapy puts a premium on doing and on taking steps to make concrete changes" (Corey, 2012, p. 12).  Behavior therapy ultimately aims at giving clients the ability to learn new behaviors to help lead to a positive life while building up the clients self-esteem and confidence level as well. Suggested Link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCyfMFXR-n0

References

B. F. Skinner (no date). Retrieved May 30, 2012 from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B._F._Skinner)

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

         CA:  Brooks/Cole.

AIPC://www.aipc.net.au/lz (2006, October). Behavior Therapy. Retrieved May 30, 2012, from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCyfMFXR-n0

Gestalt Therapy

What is Gestalt Therapy? Gestalt therapy is an existential, phenomenological, and process-based approach created on the premise that individuals must be understood in the context of their ongoing relationship with the environment (Corey, 2012, p. 212).  Fritz Perls
Key founders/Key figures:  Frederick S. "Fritz" Perls, MD, PhD (1893-1970), was the main originator & developer of Gestalt Therapy (Corey, 2012, p.211). Fritz Perls, later established a institute for Gestalt Therapy in New York with help from several of his colleagues. Laura Posner Perls, PhD (1905-1990),  was also a key person in the Gestalt Therapy and  she taught every Gestalt therapist needs to develop his or her therapeutic style (Corey, 2012, p. 212). The key figures: Miriam & Erving Polster. Erving Polster
Laura Posner Perls

Key Concepts: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.236) "Gestalt therapy is an experiential approach that stresses present awareness and the quality of contact between the individual and the environment." According to a recent  article (Corey, 2012, p. 213) "Perls's style of doing therapy involved two personal agendas: moving the client from environmental support to self-support and reintegrating the disowned parts of one's personality." In other words the clients need to gain control over their life. Some of the key concepts in Gestalt therapy is emphasis is placed on what is being done, thought, and feelings within the moment of the here and now of the client versus what has occurred in the past or should have or could have been when the therapists prompts the client with various questions or interactions.  


Goals of Theory:  According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 236) "The Gestalt therapist is to help clients identify the most pressing issues, needs, and interests and to design experiments that sharpen those figures or that explore resistances to contact and awareness." The therapist teaches the client that what is directly experienced or felt is more accurate than various explanations placed on pre-existing feelings or experiences. The initial goal is for clients to expand their awareness of what they are experiencing in the present moment (Corey, 2012, p. 212).  Honestly the main goal to be gained from the Gestalt therapy is for clients to gain a sense of awareness within their own self.


Techniques:  With Gestalt therapy therapists initiate various experiments toward the clients to generate thought from the clients perspective to gain a better insight on what the client is thinking or doing.  Therapy sessions may vary with various exercises or homework lessons for the client to help the therapist see how the client is processing information, often clients are encouraged to talk about dreams or other various thoughts to the therapists and even relive the actions of the dreams or thoughts to help gain a better understanding of their overall awareness. The "Empty Chair" technique is typically used with interpersonal problems (i.e. a client angry at someone else, feels too submissive, lonely, etc.) it is a kind of role playing, but in in this case, the client plays both roles. Employing two chairs, the counselor asks the client to change places as the conversation unfolds. "The actual acting and movement helps the client to get in touch with deeper sensimotor emotions" (Ivey & Ivey, 1999, p. 300). 

Suggested links:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUvXtSOZ84

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont, 

         CA:  Brooks/Cole.

Ivey, A. E. & Mary B. (1999). Intentional Interviewing and Counseling. Pacific Grove, CA:

          Brooks/Cole.

Whitlamm44. (2010, May). Gestalt Therapy - a tool for change. Retrieved May 26, 2012, from

           http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCUvXtSOZ84

Person-Centered Therapy

Person-Centered Therapy

Key Figures:  Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

Person-Centered therapy created by Carl Rogers, this form of humanistic therapy deals with the ways in which people perceive themselves consciously rather than having a therapist try to interpret unconscious thoughts or ideas. Basically this particular type of therapy is a type of talking therapy.  There are many different components and tools used in person-centered therapy including active listening, genuineness, paraphrasing, and more. But the real point is that the client already has the answers to the problems and the job of the therapist is to listen without making any judgments, without giving advice, and simply help the client feel accepted and understand their own feelings.

"The Person-Centered Therapy, his own unique approach to understanding personality and human relationships, found wide application in various domains such as psychotherapy and counseling (Client-Centered Therapy), education (student centered learning), organizations, and other group settings" according to a recent website (http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Carl_Rogers).

Key Concepts: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 178) "When therapists are able to experience and communicate their realness, support, caring, and nonjudgmental understanding, significant changes in the client are most likely to occur."  Also three key points were also created by Carl Rogers to help clients move forward in their therapy: realness, caring, and ability for clients to develop an understanding of empathy.

Goals of the theory: The aim of person-centered psychotherapy is to create a comfortable environment and to provide the client with unconditional positive regard. The theory is that this environment will aid the client in finding solutions to his or her problems. According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.10) "This approach was developed during the 1940s as a non directive reaction against psychoanalysis. Based on a subjective view of human experiencing, it places faith in and gives responsibility to the client in dealing with problems and concerns."  The major key element of person-centered therapy is the ability for clients to develop increased self-esteem. 

Techniques: A person-centered therapy session is often delivered in a one-to-one setting, but person-centered (group therapy) is also possible. In group therapy of this kind, the leader of the group is responsible for creating an atmosphere of trust. Another variation on the person-centered therapy approach includes certain styles of (play therapy), often employed with young children. Person-centered therapy places much of the responsibility for the treatment process on the client, with the therapist taking a non directive role to help the client gain self-esteem and growth.

Suggested links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2FPJlf9ck

References:

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition). Belmont,

         CA:  Brooks/Cole. 

MeGotTheBeat1. (2011, October). Person Centered Approach. Retrieved May 19, 2012, from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP2FPJlf9ck

Psychology Wiki. (No date found). Carl Rogers. Retrieved May 19, 2012, from

           http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Carl_Rogers

Existential Therapy

Existential Therapy

Important Key Figures in Existential Therapy:

          

Viktor Frankl (1905-1997)
Frankl was one of the key figures in existential therapy.
Rollo May (1909-1994)
According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 138) "He believed psychotherapy should be aimed at helping people discover the meaning of their lives and should be concerned with the problems of being rather than with problem solving." Irvin Yalom (1931 -) Irvin Yalom practices existential psychology in a way that pulls from four different areas of human conditioning.  The areas are isolation, meaninglessness, mortality, and freedom. He believes that a different therapy must be designed for each client because each has a unique story (Corey, 2012, p.138-139). Key Concepts: According to (Corey, 2012, p.145) "The crucial significance of the existential movement is that it reacts against the tendency to identify therapy with a set of techniques. Instead, it bases therapeutic practice on an understanding of what it means to be human." . What exactly is existential therapy? (2011-09-14) Existential therapy is a way of thinking, or an attitude about psychotherapy.  This type of therapy is the basis for clients to begin new chapters in their lives.  The clients must be opening to whatever issues that occurred in the past and move on to a more rewarding path accepting full responsibility of a better life to work toward, in other words being open and willing to change their life for the better. Existential therapy was introduced by Victor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom. Existentialism is an area of philosophy concerned with the true meaning of human existence. It looks at issues such as love, death and the meaning of life - and how one deals with the sense of value and meanings in their own life. In an existentialist approach to therapy, there are basic dimensions of the human condition. These are the capacity for self-awareness, the tension between freedom and responsibility, the creation of an identity and the establishment of meaningful relationships, the search for meaning, the acceptance of anxiety as a condition of living and the awareness of death and non-being. Existential therapy tries to encourage clients to reflect on life, recognize their range of alternatives and decide among them.  According to a recent article from (Corey, 2012, p.140) "The existential therapy movement was not founded by any particular person or group; many streams of thought contributed to it." However; Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom were a few figures that stood out as key figures in contemporary existential therapy. Goals of the theory: According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p.154) "Existential therapy is best considered as an invitation to clients to recognize the ways in which they are not living fully authentic lives and to make choices that will lead to their becoming what they are capable of being."      Techniques of Existential Therapy: The therapies central tasks are to invite the client to recognize how they have allowed others to decide for them, and to encourage clients to take steps towards autonomy (independence). According to a recent article (Corey, 2012, p. 10) "Reacting against the tendency to view therapy as a system of well-defined techniques, this model stresses building therapy on the basic conditions of human existence, such as choice, the freedom and responsibilty to shape one's life, and self-determination."

Selected link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhqj878k4Q

References:

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

         Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Rock, Justin. (2011, May). What is Existential Therapy? Retrieved May 19, 2012, from

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLhqj878k4Q

Psychoanalytic & Adlerian Therapy

Psychoanalytic Therapy

Founder of Psychoanalysis:      Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, was a physiologist, medical doctor, psychologist and influential thinker of the early twentieth century. According to (Kalat, 2008, p. 12) "Psychoanalysts are therapy providers who rely heavily on the theories and methods pioneered by the early 20th-century Viennese physician Sigmund Freud and later modified by others." Freud’s account of the sexual genesis and nature of neuroses led him naturally to develop a clinical treatment for treating such disorders. This has become so influential today that when people speak of psychoanalysis they frequently refer exclusively to the clinical treatment; however, the term properly designates both the clinical treatment and the theory which underlies it. He invented the treatment of mental illness and neurosis by means of psychoanalysis. Freud concluded that human psyche could be divided up into three key component parts Id, Ego, and Super-Ego.
Goals of Therapy:     Freud established a type of therapy method for his patients to open up and reveal the unconscious thoughts and feelings that may affect conscious behavior and may result in neuroses.
Techniques:               This type of therapy became known as "talk therapy" the client/patient would lie down on a couch facing away from the therapist and begin to open up and to the therapist speaking of the issues that are in concern.  According to a recent article (Corey, 2009, p.63) "Freud devoted most of life to formulating and extending his theory of psychoanalysis."

Key Concepts:           Sigmund Freud felt that Psychoanalysis helps to promote unconscious factors that one may not perceive that they have to help stimulate a motivating behavior.

• ID
• Ego
• Super-Ego

Birth to age six is the key years that affect the main elements in psychoanalysis.


Suggested Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RTDAPs2aec

Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis 

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

       Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Kalat, J. K. (2008). Introduction to Psychology (8th edition). Belmont, CA:    

        Thomson/Wadsworth.

rmdie926. (2009, November). Sigmund Freud's Psychoanalysis. Retrieved May 12, 2012,

         from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RTDAPs2aec

Adlerian  Therapy

Adlerian therapy focuses on the feelings of self that arise from interactions and conflicts. This sense of self can also be called ones ego (as thought to have originally came from Sigmund Freud). The ego is the central core of personality; it is what makes someone an individual. Adlerian therapy is a therapy of teaching, informing and encouraging the client, in order to help the client fix basic mistakes in their personal logic, and the therapeutic relationship is a collaborative one. Alfred Adler original idea of individual psychology was based on the unique motivations of individuals and the importance of each individuals perceived niche in society.

Founder:  Alfred Adler (1870-1937) According to (Corey, 2009, p. 102) "Along with Freud and Juang, Alfred Adler was a major contributor to the initial development of the psychodynamic approach to therapy."

Goals of Therapy:  The basic goal of the Adlerian approach is to help clients identify and change their mistaken beliefs about, self, others, and life and thus to participate more fully in a social world" (Corey, 2009, p. 127).

Key Concepts:     The Adlerian Therapy approach is a very good therapy technique that has been known to help teachers, students, parents, couples and group therapy throughout the United States and beyond.

Techniques:          Basically with the Adlerian Therapy one create one's own responsibility, destiny, and find what is the real meaning to one's life.  The therapist's would help the client with a more purpose-driven life with real life goals.

Suggested Links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I32ehCnAcVo&feature=player=embedded

Adlerian Therapy

References

Corey, G. (2012). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy (9th edition).

       Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Classical Adlerian Brief Therapy - Demonstrated by Henry T. Stein, PhD.(2011, July). Classical 

        Adlerian Training Analyst. Retrieved May 12, 2012, 

        from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I32ehCnAcVo&feature=player=embedded

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