Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy grew from the work of Skinner, and Pavlov. Pavlov showed that organisms, including people, respond to stimuli, e.g., a bell, by expecting whatever has followed it in the past. Skinner showed that organisms will repeat an action that has preceded a desired result. By producing the result an organism desires whenever a certain action/behavior is manifest, we can modify the frequency with which the organism manifests that behavior. For example, by providing food whenever a rat pushes a lever, we can increase the number of times the rat pushes the lever. Behaviorism considers the organism to be a “black box”. We know what it does, but not what goes on inside. Even thoughts, sensations, and emotions are considered behavior, and are, thus, outside the box. In psychotherapy, behaviorist techniques work best where the behavior is very specific, and where it is clear who has the right to decide what behavior is desirable. Desensitization for specific phobias is an example of a very useful behaviorist technique.

Client Centered Therapy

Client centered therapy is designed to provide an atmosphere in which the client's natural tendencies toward personal growth, integration, and self actualization can emerge. It is believed, and the belief has considerable support in research, that growth in therapy will be enhanced to the extent that the therapist is a) empathetic, i.e., understands the client's feelings, b) caring, i.e., demonstrates "unconditional positive regard" for the client, and c) congruent, i.e., genuine or honest in the relationship. Therapists of many points of view use client centered techniques along with other more active, more directive, or more historical approaches.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

The theory behind CBT is that our emotions and other behavior is caused by our thoughts. Therefore, if we can teach people to think rationally, we can stop them from having depression, anxiety or other unwanted feelings. An early cognitive behavioral therapist was Albert Ellis. He called his therapy, “Rational Emotive Therapy”. Studies have shown CBT to be as effective as anti-depressant medication in reducing depression. Combining CBT and medication has been more effective than either alone. Other studies have shown that all therapeutic approaches are effective. Cognitive behavioral therapists will point out irrational ideas that contribute to depressed feelings, and assign homework in which the patient practices refuting the irrational thoughts and replacing them with rational ones. For this writer, a major drawback of CBT is the possibility that the therapist will decide what is rational for the client. Nobody has a monopoly on rationality or truth.

Eclectic

Eclectic therapists use a combination of techniques and ideas from many therapeutic orientations. Their choice depends on their experience and training, and on their judgment about what will work best in each situation. Almost all therapists are eclectic to some degree. Some eclectic therapists have developed a broad understanding that encompasses ideas from many sources, others are casting about because they have not succeeded in developing an integrated point of view.

Existential

Existential analysts hold that the goal of therapy should be heightened awareness of one's existence and one's relationship to the world, and the freedom to relate to one's world differently. While the techniques of existential analysts are similar to those of other psychoanalysts, therapists of some other approaches (e.g., Client Centered or Gestalt) also have an existential point of view.