Clinical Psychology Approaches of the

Clinical Psychology Approaches Of the four major clinical approaches, the psychodynamic model remains the most closely associated with the terminology and technical concerns of Freudian praxis (Bateman et al., 2000, p. 2). As its name implies, this approach looks to unexamined tensions between dynamic forces (or "drives") as the underlying cause of anxiety, psychic pain, and destructive behavior. With the therapist's assistance, the patient may arrive at a conscious understanding of these forces and so, in understanding them, resolve any conflicts that exist.

As in classical psychoanalysis, the dynamic therapeutic relationship is largely a matter of sustained conversation in pursuit of emotional resolution. However, while Freudian therapy is theoretically "interminable," dynamic therapists generally play a more active, problem-oriented role in order to bring the process to a productive conclusion within 10 to 25 weekly sessions; more intensive approaches strive to generate breakthroughs over even shorter time frames (Aveline, 2000, p. 373).

Cognitive-behavioral therapy acknowledges the importance of recognizing the causes of behavior, but is much more concerned with training the patient to avoid harmful activities and acquire new coping habits. Instead of focusing on discursive exploration of emotional content, the cognitive-behavioral therapist stresses skills training, repetition, and immediate feedback. While discussion is often part of the session, it is often considered a channel for the transmission of information and as a tool for monitoring the patient's overall condition (Carroll, 1998, p. 25).

Because of its explicitly problem-oriented nature, cognitive-behavioral therapy is often brought into play when explicitly pathological behaviors exist and need to be corrected: drug addiction, anxiety disorders, and so on, ideally within 12 to 16 weekly sessions (Carrol, 1998, p. 4). While incidental insight into motivation may result from such therapy, it is not the primary objective; progress toward objective performance goals is the only real measurement of success.

Humanistic approaches vary, but share an abiding theoretical interest in human beings as conscious actors and a corresponding distrust for models of the self that portray life as merely the sum of various emotional or instinctual drives. (Bugental, 1964, pp. 19-25) Practical treatment strategies are eclectic (drawing on diverse artistic, literary, and religious sources) but ultimately tend to revolve around counseling as the process through which the therapist not only works to address the patient's immediate concerns but helps him or her achieve his or her unique potential.

In contrast to dynamic or behavioral models, humanistic therapy places the patient (or "client") in the center of the session. This often relegates the therapist to a coaching role or, even more passively, to serve as an example of sincere interest in the client's chosen direction. Since the goal is often to build self-esteem (Branden, 1994, p. 1), this gives the client (for example, a timid child or neglected widow) experience with supportive, open relationships that may have been absent from prior life.

With its roots in intervention-oriented social work, family systems therapy has evolved into a sophisticated theoretical approach in its own right. By seeking the source of disturbances in the relationships between family members and other individuals, family therapists often derive insight from studying how two or more people -- any one of whom may be the putative "patient" (Barnhill, 1979, p. 94) -- transmit information and emotional content. As such, family therapy generally involves the "primary patient" as well as a.