Interventions - Briefly What You Need to Know

Humanistic Therapy

            Concentrates on the influences of society and unconscious thoughts. Emphasizes client’s freedom of choice through reflective listening and empathy. Includes Gestalt, Person-Centered, Transactional Analysis, Transpersonal Psychology and Psychosynthesis, and Existential Therapy.

Gestalt

Focuses on the client taking responsibility for the way they relate to others and on the here-and-now. Relies on the relationship between therapist and client.

The here-and-now premise is not making assumptions for the unknown but being aware of the feelings connected to the present moment. Gestalt theory also suggests that everything is interrelated and focuses on helping the client become more in tune with self.

Good Therapy. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/Gestalt_Therapy.html on February 18, 2013.

Person-Centered Therapy (Rogerian)

            Is also known as client-centered or non-directive therapy to help the client gain self-actualization or the ability of the client to reach fullest potential.
3 techniques of therapist attitude that is important in person-centered therapy:

-          Empathy – showing understanding of emotional responses of client through active listening

-          Unconditional positive regard – accepts client as is

-          Congruence – therapist’s openness and genuineness

Encyclopedia of Mental Health Disorders. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.minddisorders.com/Ob-Ps/Person-centered-therapy.html on February 18, 2013.
            Transactional Analysis
            Focuses on communication with others, specifically what is wrong in the communication and how to change patterns in order to improve communication.
Retrieved from http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/humanistic.html on February 18, 2013.

Object Relations

            Focuses on interpersonal relationships. Object specifically refers to person that is target of client’s emotions and Relations to the relationship between the client and person and any relationships in the past the affect the current one.
Retrieved from http://www.sonoma.edu/users/d/daniels/objectrelations.html on February 18, 2013.

Crisis Intervention

            Allotted in a timeframe to help one cope with an external problem. It has short term goals and requires a lot of time and energy from the therapist. It utilizes tasks in order to keep client on target.
It has 3 stages. In the first stage that occurs at onset of situation, the strain increases. This is where relaxation, coping, supports, and the strengths of the client are most important. During stage 2, the strain increases even more. In stage 3, the client attempts to adjust. This is where guidance is important in helping a client to project future skills.

Task-Centered Therapy

            Limited time frame and utilizes tasks with specific actions to achieve goals. Therapists concentrates on assessing how the client sees tasks carried out and draws out any parts that are uncomfortable to client and helps client in processing that tasks. The fear must be worked through otherwise the client will not complete the task. This can be done by ensuring that the client knows how the task affects the overall goal, the benefits/risks, and implementation of rewards.

Systems Theory

            Concentrates on an individual’s role as it impacts the functioning of a greater whole and is beneficial in family therapy though can be used with couples and organizations as well. Behavior patterns are identified and then treatment surrounds how to gain insight, deal with anxiety, and improve relationships by formulating more positive behaviors.
Good Therapy. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/systems-theory-therapy.html on February 18, 2013.

Structural Family Therapy

            Concentrates on member’s interactions and the way the family operates rather than the individual’s bx and problems.

Behavior Modification

Based on operant conditioning and implemented through positive and negative reinforcement. Uses rewards and/or time-outs.

Encyclopedia of Mental Health Disorders. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.minddisorders.com/A-Br/Behavior-modification.html on February 18, 2013.

Behavior Therapy

            Behavior therapy utilizes 3 techniques: role-playing, self-management (such as teaching assertiveness skills), and behavior experiments.

One form of behavior therapy for guided imagery (covert conditioning or covert sensitization) in order for them to perform a mental rehearsal of reactions and skills. They are asked to image the antecedent to the behavior and as they visualize engaging in this behavior, they imagine experiencing an adverse reaction. They also are asked to imagine turning down the behavior by engaging in a more acceptable behavior.

Encyclopedia of Mental Health Disorders. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.minddisorders.com/Br-Del/Covert-sensitization.html on February 18, 2013.

Solution-Focused Therapy

Focuses on present & future, goals, and solutions instead of problems/concerns. Does use past experiences only as a resource to utilize skills for present and future.

Institute for Solution-Focused Therapy. (n.d.) Retrieved from http://www.solutionfocused.net/home.html on February 18, 2013.
Antin, L. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.goodtherapy.org/Solution_Focused_Therapy.html on February 18, 2013.

Cognitive Therapy

            States that unrealistic views cause problems; not past events even though the past may show where the unrealistic thoughts came from.
            Since dysfunctional thoughts may cause triggers, coping skills will need to be taught in order for the client to share thoughts. Therapist challenges dysfunctional beliefs and helps client discuss the costs and benefits of the views. The therapist must draw out thoughts prior to , during, and after along with the feeling and behavior related to problem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

            Focuses on solving dysfunctional emotions and implements a lot of self-monitoring.

Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy

            Addresses irrational thoughts & behaviors by connecting them to thinking errors

Psychodynamic Therapy

            Patterns of interactive, thinking & feeling. States that emotional problems originate in childhood and concentrates on the subconscious thoughts.

Homeopathy

Alternative medical treatment using highly diluted preparations of ingredients that cause patient to exhibit similar symptoms to existing medical issues. This method has not proven to be effective.