PSYCHOLOGY NOTES FOR CLASS 12
CH 5: THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
PSYCHOTHERAPY is a voluntary relationship between the one seeking treatment or the client and the
one who treats or the therapist.
PURPOSE of the relationship is to help the client to solve psychological problems being faced by him or
her. The relationship is conducive for building the trust of the client.
AIM 1.To change the maladaptive behavior
2. To decrease the sense of personal distress
3. To help the client adapt better to his/her environment
CHARACTERISTICS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. There is systematic application of principles underlying different theories of therapy.
2. Person who have received practical training can only practice psychotherapy.
3. Therapeutic situation involves a therapist and a client who seeks and receives help for their
emotional problems.
4. Interaction of client and therapist results in formation of therapeutic relationship.
GOALS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. Reinforcing client’s resolve for betterment.
2. Lessening emotional pressure.
3. Unfolding potential for positive growth.
4. Modifying habits.
5. Increasing self awareness.
6. Facilitating decision making.
THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP refers to the special relationship between the client and therapist.
2 MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP
CONTRACTUAL NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP
It is the first component in which two willing individuals, the client and the therapist enter into
a partnership which aims at helping the client to overcome his/her problems.
LIMITED DURATION OF THERAPY
It is the second component which states that the relationship lasts until the client is able to
overcome his/her problems.
, TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPIES
PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY
Methods of Eliciting the Nature of Intrapsychic Conflict:
1. Free Association:
(i) Therapeutic relationship is established, client feels comfortable—therapist makes client lie
down on the couch, close their eyes and asks them to speak whatever comes to mind without
censoring it.
(ii) Client is encouraged to freely associate one thought with another (free association).
(iii) Censoring supere go and the watchful ego are kept in abeyance—client speaks whatever
comes to mind in a relaxed and trusting atmosphere.
(iv) Therapist does not interrupt; the free flow of idea, desires and conflicts of the unconscious,
which had been suppressed by the ego, emerge into the conscious mind.
2. Dream Analysis:
(i) Client is asked to write down his/her dreams upon waking up.
(ii) Drams are symbols of the unfulfilled desires of the unconscious.
(iii) Dreams use symbols which signify intrapsychic forces because they are indirect expressions
and hence would not alert the ego.
(iv) If unfulfilled desires are expressed directly, the ever-vigilant ego would suppress them,
leading to anxiety.
(v) Symbols are interpreted according to an accepted convention of translation as the indicators
of unfulfilled desires and conflicts.
Modality of Treatment:
(a) Transference: The client starts identifying the therapist with the authority figures of the past,
usually childhood.
CH 5: THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES
PSYCHOTHERAPY is a voluntary relationship between the one seeking treatment or the client and the
one who treats or the therapist.
PURPOSE of the relationship is to help the client to solve psychological problems being faced by him or
her. The relationship is conducive for building the trust of the client.
AIM 1.To change the maladaptive behavior
2. To decrease the sense of personal distress
3. To help the client adapt better to his/her environment
CHARACTERISTICS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. There is systematic application of principles underlying different theories of therapy.
2. Person who have received practical training can only practice psychotherapy.
3. Therapeutic situation involves a therapist and a client who seeks and receives help for their
emotional problems.
4. Interaction of client and therapist results in formation of therapeutic relationship.
GOALS OF PSYCHOTHERAPY
1. Reinforcing client’s resolve for betterment.
2. Lessening emotional pressure.
3. Unfolding potential for positive growth.
4. Modifying habits.
5. Increasing self awareness.
6. Facilitating decision making.
THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP refers to the special relationship between the client and therapist.
2 MAJOR COMPONENTS OF THERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIP
CONTRACTUAL NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP
It is the first component in which two willing individuals, the client and the therapist enter into
a partnership which aims at helping the client to overcome his/her problems.
LIMITED DURATION OF THERAPY
It is the second component which states that the relationship lasts until the client is able to
overcome his/her problems.
, TYPES OF PSYCHOTHERAPIES
PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY
Methods of Eliciting the Nature of Intrapsychic Conflict:
1. Free Association:
(i) Therapeutic relationship is established, client feels comfortable—therapist makes client lie
down on the couch, close their eyes and asks them to speak whatever comes to mind without
censoring it.
(ii) Client is encouraged to freely associate one thought with another (free association).
(iii) Censoring supere go and the watchful ego are kept in abeyance—client speaks whatever
comes to mind in a relaxed and trusting atmosphere.
(iv) Therapist does not interrupt; the free flow of idea, desires and conflicts of the unconscious,
which had been suppressed by the ego, emerge into the conscious mind.
2. Dream Analysis:
(i) Client is asked to write down his/her dreams upon waking up.
(ii) Drams are symbols of the unfulfilled desires of the unconscious.
(iii) Dreams use symbols which signify intrapsychic forces because they are indirect expressions
and hence would not alert the ego.
(iv) If unfulfilled desires are expressed directly, the ever-vigilant ego would suppress them,
leading to anxiety.
(v) Symbols are interpreted according to an accepted convention of translation as the indicators
of unfulfilled desires and conflicts.
Modality of Treatment:
(a) Transference: The client starts identifying the therapist with the authority figures of the past,
usually childhood.
