There are many types of psychological therapies, but leaving aside their different perspectives, axes and original theories, all point to the same goal, the same therapeutic objective: to facilitate the transition to well-being. So instead of asking you which of these psychological strategies are better or worse, we should first ask ourselves what we need.
In many cases, when a person realizes that they need to see a psychologist, they still have misconceptions about what psychological therapy is. You often keep in mind the classic scene of a patient lying on an armchair (sofa) with the therapist behind them, taking notes.
- The classic image of psychoanalysis still weighs heavily on the collective unconscious.
- So it is common for many people not yet to know that there are different techniques.
- Methods and schools of psychology.
- So.
- The classic question of “which is the best option”.
- That’s why.
- Before we make the mistake of focusing on one therapy above any other.
- We need to clarify certain points.
“Even when it’s not fully achievable, we get better by trying to pursue a higher goal.
Each model uses a number of different techniques that will be more suitable for some people and others not, on the other hand, we cannot forget that many of them focus on a specific type of goal for which others generally do not work. It is important to always keep in mind the general purpose for which all psychological therapies coincide.
The term “therapy” comes from the Greek “therapeutiks” and means “the one who cares for another person”. From now on, the caregiver is a trained and qualified professional for this purpose, through a series of studies and practices. Its purpose is not exactly to “care” but to provide appropriate strategies and tools so that people can, on their own, achieve balance and well-being.
We are faced with an active and proactive process between two or more people, it is an intense, sometimes hard working relationship, a journey of discovery, creativity and interpersonal dynamics where there is no point in being silent, where the therapist does not limit the therapist to give advice or instructions on what his patient or client is obliged to do. As Richard Lazarus explains, “the goal of therapy is to teach people to see problems as challenges, not threats. “
Emotional problems, fears, traumas, personal crises, partner problems, childhood disorders. . . The reason we are looking for a psychotherapist can be varied, however, it is never more important to know the different therapeutic strategies that we have at hand.
Everything, if executed by competent, trained and well-trained professionals, can be effective, we know that as patients or clients we must play an active role and, on the other hand, it is necessary to know which axis each psychological therapy uses. to understand whether this therapeutic framework can be adapted to our characteristics and needs.
Now look what the main psychological therapies are and what they can offer us.
Cognitive behavioral therapies are based on an understanding of how people think (cognitive concentration) and their behavior (behavioral concentration). The goal of this goal is to teach us that change is possible, but that to achieve this, we must first learn to improve our thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors.
Is cognitive behavioral therapy very effective at treating depression, phobias, anxiety disorders, traumatic processes?
On the other hand, cognitive behavioral therapies include other therapeutic lines that are important to know about.
One of the best known psychological therapies is undoubtedly the one that responds to the theoretical model that Sigmund Freud created almost a century ago, if it only brings images so close and familiar to the general population, it is necessary to know its dynamics. principles and objectives before deciding to start therapy in this context.
See some of its features
These would be the main psychological therapies that are framed within this objective.
Unexpressed emotions never die. They are buried alive and then emerge in the worst possible way. Sigmund Freud?
Dynamic interpersonal therapy helps us improve relationships with others.
Jung’s therapy or Jung’s analysis is another type of psychological therapy that is particularly useful for treating addictions, depression and anxiety, and even for promoting personal growth.
Humanist therapies are new. It is a highly appreciated and useful goal and one of the favorites of professionals and people in general, for the wide range of techniques it uses and the therapeutic strategies on which it is based.
The forerunner of this goal was Carl Rogers, we have already talked on more than one occasion about this great specialist in human behavior, who sought above all to bring optimism to psychotherapy, promote our personal development and change of focus to reach our maximum human potential.
These would be some of the characteristics of this type of one of the most widely used psychological therapies today.
The goal of Gestalt therapy is to work on self-awareness so that we can solve our problems more safely, the purpose of the procedures you use is to let go of vital anxieties, achieve personal freedom and acquire enough determination to reach our maximum potential.
Transpersonal psychology is an axis developed by Abraham Maslow in the 1960s, whose goal is to help us discover the authentic meaning of our lives, solving needs according to the hierarchy that makes precisely that meaning.
Does this branch of psychology emphasize aspects such as consciousness, spirituality, deep inner knowledge, compassion, universal brotherhood?
The therapist assumes a very concrete role here, you must have an open mind, great respect, innocence and the ability to marvel, you must show your client that everything he says, everything he communicates, is new and valuable. The methodology used to carry out this unique therapeutic process is a combination of spiritual traditions, where it is common to use one of these dynamics:
It is quite possible that, in different types of psychological therapies, this type of cathartic and liberating approach will go unnoticed by the general public, as we indicated at the beginning, when looking for some kind of therapeutic strategy, it is very important to identify what we want and what therapeutic mechanisms are best for us.
Artistic expression is a channel, a universe of possibilities to shape our emotions, liberate them, promote self-discoverion and a different approach to many of our problems.
Find out what types of art therapies we have at hand
Artetherapy or art therapy uses tools such as canvas, painting or clay so that people can express their inner world, in this way they expose problems and conflicts that can then be solved by other means, the advantage of this type of help is that it offers the patient a form of expression that can be much more natural, allowing him to say more and retain less.
Music therapy is a very versatile creative therapy, very intense and curative, the changes are almost immediate, and this is something that can be seen very often in patients with autism spectrum disorders, dementia or anxiety, the person reacts quickly and experiences an avalanche of emotions and sensations.
As we see, most psychological therapies can be framed in four very clear axes, however, at your fingertips, we have many other options that deserve to be known.
Family or systemic therapy is very useful in groups of people united by a family bond, the goal is to improve the relationship itself, the style of communication and the sometimes complex interaction that blurs the cohesion of this group of people.
In general, therapy focuses primarily on the “patient rate”, i. e. the person with a clinical disorder or problematic behavior.
The aim is therefore to provide us with tools to improve these aspects.
In psychosexual therapy, the right professional will help us to explore, reflect and analyze our sexual problems in an open and sincere way, many times behind them there are many emotional blockages in the relationship that need to be solved.
Many may have heard of Jacob Levy Moreno’s psychodrama, more than that, they may have practiced some dynamics in the workplace.
In conclusion, it should be added that there are certainly many other psychological therapies, however, the ones presented here are the most used, the ones that have the greatest benefits and best answers that can offer us at all times. Do any of these types of psychological therapies if you ever need them. We all have the right to feel better, to enjoy greater well-being and to grow as people.
references
Ortega Bevia, F. (2012) Psychotherapy. University of Seville
Reed Hunt, R. (2007) Foundations of cognitive psychology. Mexico: modern manual.
Freud. S. (1995) Introduction to psychoan-lis. Madrid: Editorial Alianza.
Way. J. L (2013) Humanist Psychology. Madrid: CSS.