Classical Psychoanalysis vs. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

Classical Psychoanalysis vs. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapies

The basic premise of classical psychoanalysis is the belief that human beings who need therapy are those who are suffering from undue repressions. These prevent the ego from growing in a healthy way. Therapy is then focused upon removing such repression in order to help an individual function optimally in society again.

Psychopathology arises when human beings remain unaware of the true motivations and fears that underlie their actions. When they become aware of the problems and fears that they repress, healing can begin. The key here is to understand the basic motivations behind their actions.

Psychoanalysis then focuses on the early 20th century concepts of ego and id. Where the latter informs the former. The ego deliberately chooses to engage in certain actions. Repression resides in the id, and dictates the actions of the ego. When repression is minimal, the ego functions in a rational, realistic manner.

In therapy, a key component of psychotherapy is to provide the client with insight into his or her behavior. Often, however, this is regarded as unhelpful to either the client-therapist relationship or to the therapeutic process.

Another shortcoming is that classical psychotherapy relies greatly upon research. The limitation of research is however that there is a tendency to group conditions together into causes. The assumption tends to be that each condition emerges from a homogeneous pool of causes. The focus is therefore upon the general population and generalized conclusions. There is a basic lack of consideration for individual difference, and hence the therapeutic process and research do not correlate on an entirely effective basis.

Client-centered psychotherapy is a more recent branch of classical psychotherapy, which focuses upon the responsibility of the individual to identify and eliminate repression.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a more current theory than classical psychotherapy. This theory is based upon the reaction of the mind to external stimuli, and how this is internalized. The cognitive reaction to stimuli then manifests as behavior. When behavior becomes extreme or destructive, it is unacceptable, and therapy becomes necessary.

Therapy focuses upon finding the stimuli that originally caused the behavior. Much like client-centered therapy, the responsibility for healing lies with the client. The therapist's role is merely to guide the client towards the target behavior. One of the ways in which to do this is to provide the client with gradual behavior modification exercises until the target behavior is reached.

The role of the subconscious is based upon habit-forming cognitive activities. Perpetual external stimuli will for example form habits. Good habits can be formed by means of gradual cognitive-behavioral therapy.