Comparison of all therapies

Question 1

behaviour therapy: theory, main aim, mechanism, characteristics, therapeutic relationship, personality, applications

Answer 1

theory = maladaptive behaviour is learned and can be unlearned.
main aim = decreasing the frequency of maladaptive behaviour and increasing adaptive behaviour
mechanism= learning new adaptive behaviours, extinguishing the maladaptive ones
characteristics = time-limited, transparent, evidence-based, active
therapeutic relationship = collaborative but also directive when needed
personality = mostly rejects the idea of stable characteristics
applications = wide range of problems

Question 2

cognitive therapy: theory, main aim, mechanism, characteristics, therapeutic relationship, personality, applications

Answer 2

theory = core beliefs are testable hypotheses
main aim = reducing cognitive distortions, modifying maladaptive schemas
mechanism = questioning the validity of automatic maldaptive thoughts
characteristics = time-limited, transparent, evidence based, active
therapeutic relationship = collaborative but also directive when needed
personality = traits reflect basic schemas developed in response to the environment
applications: wide range, especially when cognitive distortions are apparent

Question 3

psycho-analytic theory: theory, main aim, mechanism, characteristics, therapeutic relationship, personality, applications

Answer 3

theory = wide theoretical basis, mainly about the unconscious, defenses and transferance
main aim = exploring the unconscious by using analytic thinking skills
mechanism = making the unconscious conscious, creating meaning and a sense of agency
characteristics: long term, passive, more focused on triggering factors
therapeutic relationship = mostly non-directive, very important for therapeutic change
personality = conflict and object relations and attachment theory, developmental arrest models
applications = broadly useful for wide range, less suitable for those with little interest, time or financial resources

Question 4

client-centered therapy: theory, main aim, mechanism, characteristics, therapeutic relationship, personality, applications

Answer 4

theory = individuals are all motivated to maintain and enhance themselves (actualizing tendency)
main aim = trying to understand the situation from the clients internal frame of reference
mechanism = congruence, unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding
characteristics = passive, not focused on diagnoses
therapeutic relationship = very important, the essence of change, non-directive
personality = 19-propositions theory
applications = applicable to anyone because a person is more than their diagnostic label

Question 5

contemplative therapies: theory, main aim, mechanism, characteristics, therapeutic relationship, personality, applications

Answer 5

theory = ‘good-news, bad-news’, understanding of the mind
main aim = training and developing our minds beyond conventional levels
mechanism = calming the mind, enhancing awareness, disidentification, rebalancing
characteristics = heel divers
therapeutic relationship = also useful for therapist
personality = the normal person is partly dreaming, identity is a fabrication, and it is essential to cultivate metamotives
applications = wide range of psychological, spiritual and somaitc issues