Introduction. Methods of psychotherapy
Methods of psychotherapy can be classified into five broad schools of thought such as psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, and integrated therapies
- Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies
- Behaviour therapy
- Cognitive therapy
- EMDR
- Humanistic therapy
- Integrative or holistic therapy
Patient-therapist relationship
The relationship between the patient and the psychotherapist is the key point of each psychotherapy method. It is through the relationship and interactions with the therapist that the patient learns about themselves.
Psychoanalysis and psychodynamic therapies
Psychodynamic psychotherapies focus on patient’s problematic behaviours, feelings, and thoughts uncovering unconscious meanings and motivations behind them.
The first method of psychodynamic psychotherapy, the psychoanalysis, closely associated with Sigmund Freud, is barley practiced today. In this method the patient was lying on the sofa “free-associating” with the psychoanalyst behind his head making now and then few comments.
Today the classical Freudian psychoanalysis has been largely abandoned in favour of the position of equality in which patient and psychotherapist sit close to each.
Behavioural therapy
During psychotherapy and counselling the psychologist focuses on how learning takes a role in how humans develop both normal and abnormal behaviours. The therapist helps the client unlearn abnormal ways of behaviour and learn more adaptive ways to take their place.
Cognitive therapy
During psychotherapy and counselling the therapist emphasizes what people think rather than what they do. According to this school of thought, therapists assert that erroneous or dysfunctional thinking leads to dysfunctional emotions or behaviours. The focus is to facilitate patients changing their thoughts, which results in changing how people feel and what they do.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is based on the combination of Behaviour Therapy and Cognitive Therapy. During psychotherapy, the psychologist facilitates adaptive, new ways of thinking which then will have positive impacts on behaviours.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy is well established psychotherapy method for treatment of PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. The therapist guides the patients to be mindfully aware of the symptoms and memories of the trauma and their effects on his mind and body. As treatment progresses, symptoms should decrease and disappear.
Humanistic therapy
During psychotherapy and counselling the therapist emphasizes people’s capacity to make rational choices and develop to their fullest potential. Unconditional regard, in the form of concern and respect for others are also vital themes.
Integrative or Holistic Therapy
During psychotherapy and counselling the psychologist blends elements from various approaches to create a treatment that best serves their clients’ needs.
Therapies offered by CHMC
Our psychologists provide services for mental health disorders and couples and marriage counselling, grief and trauma work, life planning, low self-esteem, anger problems, conflict resolution, crisis management, self-care, coping with medical problems, and more. In CHMC Psychologist and Psychiatrist in Dubai we use different established, evidence-based psychotherapeutic (counselling) techniques.