Psychology2016

Psychological Therapies 595

As noted in Chapter Thirteen, how people view themselves is central to many
approaches in psychology (Leary & Toner, 2015). Many therapeutic approaches benefit
from humanistic influences, namely the importance of the client–therapist relationship,
including Rogers’s concepts of unconditional positive regard and how much empathy
clients perceive in the therapist (Angus et al., 2014; Goldfried, 2007; Watson et al., 2014).
Humanistic therapies have some of the same drawbacks as Freudian psychoanalysis and
other forms of modern psychodynamic therapy. Much of the research on this approach, at
least the earlier studies, relied heavily on case studies. Also, people must be intelligent, ver-
bal, and able to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a logical manner. This
makes humanistic therapies a somewhat less practical choice for treating the more seri-
ous mental disorders such as schizophrenia, at least as a first line of treatment. However,
the data from a collection of studies are promising and suggest that humanistic therapy
approaches may be beneficial for individuals with schizophrenia and other psychotic dis-
orders (Elliott et al., 2013). Furthermore, humanistic approaches are associated with large
pre–post client changes that are maintained for a significant period of time, appear to be
statistically equivalent to other approaches for some conditions, and have demonstrated
positive effects for some in particular, such as moderate depression, perinatal depression,
and interpersonal and relationship problems (Angus et al., 2014; Elliott et al., 2013).

Concept Map L.O. 15.2, 15.3

Interactive

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Insight Therapies Freud developed the technique of psychoanalysis, an insight therapy

aimed at revealing unconscious conflicts, urges, and desires

dream interpretation: involved deciphering the hidden, latent content

from the manifest content, the actual dream itself

free association: originally developed by Breuer, involved patients

freely talking about whatever came to mind; believed to reveal hidden,

unconscious concerns

modern psychodynamic approach: more directive than it was

historically and typically focuses more on the ego or sense of self

rather than the id, when looking at reasons behind behavior

evaluation: although techniques have been modified, still lacks

scientific support for basic premises and requires client to be

fairly intelligent and verbally expressive

Freud’s

psychoanalysis

and related

interpersonal techniques

therapy (IPT)

humanistic

therapy

eclectic therapy with some

theoretical roots in the

psychodynamic approach but

combines aspects from humanistic

and cognitive-behavioral therapies

focuses on the conscious, subjective experience of

emotion and people’s sense of self; promotes insight

and emphasizes the importance of individual choice

and the potential to change one’s behavior

“client-centered with a twist”; has specific goals to reduce

ambivalence about change and increase intrinsic motivation

developed by Carl Rogers; focuses on match between

real self and ideal self; maladjustment is result of not

matching; unconditional positive regard is important

for congruence between real and ideal selves

therapist uses a nondirective approach and four basic

elements to develop the person–therapist relationship

developed by Fritz Perls; focuses on match between actual and ideal self;

focuses on the gestalt, or “whole picture”

therapist uses a very directive approach to lead the client through a number

of planned experiences (e.g., self-dialogue, “empty chair” technique),

with the goal of increasing self-awareness

although aspects of the individual’s past are examined, the focus is on denied past,

not hidden past; everything is conscious but possibly not in the “here and now”

person-centered

therapy reflection

unconditional

positive regard

empathy

authenticity

Gestalt therapy

motivational interviewing

evaluation: humanistic approaches benefit

many therapeutic efforts; humanistic

therapies are associated with large pre–post

client change, maintained for a significant

period of time; requires client to be

fairly intelligent and verbally expressive