Approaches to Counselling and Psychotherapy
The field of psychology offers theoretical approaches to counseling and psychotherapy which can act as a street map for counsellors, psychotherapists or psychologists. Every licensed psychologist, clinical counselor and marriage counselor in Dubai has studied these approaches and they naturally infuse this knowledge into their sessions with their clients. This is why professional clinical counseling, marriage counselors in Dubai, or mental health therapy is science based and not just a personal conversation one might have with a trusted relative or friend.
Approaches to counselling and psychotherapy fall into the following major categories:
Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic Approach
This approach focuses on altering troublesome behaviours by exploring their unconscious motivations and values. It is a therapeutic course that seeks to identify the root of the problem. The approach implies that psychological issues develop as a result of adverse childhood experiences. Consequently, psychoanalytic or psychodynamic therapists attempt to reveal repressed childhood memories. However, psychodynamic therapy differs from psychoanalysis in its level of intensity, and the extent to which therapists try to extract past experiences. The psychodynamic course is far less intense.
While psychoanalysis is highly identified with Sigmund Freud, it has been revised and extended since his initial formulations.
Psychologists often employ psychodynamic or psychoanalytic therapy for treating conditions such as
- chronic depression
- traumas
- anxiety disorders
- eating disorders
- somatic disorders
- substance use disorder
- personality disorders (e.g. borderline, narcissistic).
Cognitive-Behavioural Approach
The cognitive-behavioural approach focuses on the interrelationship between thoughts, emotions(feelings) and behaviour. Cognitive-behavioural interventions aim to improve an individual’s distressing psychological condition. Above all, CBT techniques help people develop more functional cognitions and behaviours. The approach is based on the cognitive model of psychopathology (Beck 1964). The model suggests that it is not the situation itself that results in our emotions and behaviours, but the way we appraise, or interpret the situation.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited, and directive approach employed in treating various personality and personal issues, psychological disorders and mental health conditions, including
- depression
- generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- social and specific phobias
- panic disorder
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- personality disorders: borderline, narcissistic
- bipolar disorder
- eating disorders: anorexia and bulimia
- addiction
- anger management
- chronic pain
- marital conflicts
- grief and loss
Humanistic Approach
The humanistic approach rests on the concept of self-actualisation—every individual has an innate tendency to advance their potential and improve themselves. Above all, the approach focuses on care and empathy for the client. Therefore, therapy sessions are centred around positivity and shaped around particular preferences and needs of the individual. Humanistic therapies include client-centred therapy, gestalt therapy and existential therapy.
Therapists recommend these person-focused therapies for individuals living with
- depression
- anxiety
- trauma
- low self-esteem
- chronic conditions
- terminal illness
- personality disorders
- existential depression or crisis
- relationship conflicts
- addictions
Holistic or Integrative Approach
The integrative or holistic approach is also known as the multimodal or pluralistic approach. Many counsellors and psychotherapists don’t draw upon one particular approach. Instead, they combine techniques from different schools of psychotherapy and plan interventions taking into account the needs of the client.
This brilliant publication of S. Kabir (2017) provides an extensive introduction to a variety of psychotherapeutic approaches.