Methods Used in Individual Therapy
Methods Used in Counseling and Therapy
The most common form of counseling or psychotherapy is one-to-one, or individual therapy. The terms counseling and therapy are interchangeable, and have the same meaning. Like most therapists, We use a combination of therapeutic methods and techniques.
Counseling Philosophy
We believe that therapy is a learning process. One of the primary goals of therapy is to learn more about ourselves and our relationships. The more we know about ourselves, the more freedom we have to make positive, healthy choices. Thus, we use exploratory psychotherapy to find life solutions to life problems. These solutions will surprise us at times, and possibly open up a lifetime of possibility.
As A.A. Milne, the creator of Winnie The Pooh, explained, “’Well,’ said Pooh, ‘We keep looking for home and not finding it, so I thought if we looked for this pit we’d be sure not to find it, which would be a good thing, because we might find something we weren’t looking for, which might be just what we were looking for really.’”
Some of the primary therapy methods we use in our work with individuals include:
Also referred to as cognitive therapy. Cognitions are thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. This is the most widely researched therapy, and the findings are impressive. Cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, has a high rate of success in helping people to solve life problems, and to reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The basic premise in cognitive therapy is that our thoughts and beliefs result in our feelings or emotional states. Our ideas and beliefs result in patterns of behavior, and we “create our own experience” in life in this manner. This fits with the notion that we are not victims. Rather, we are responsible for our outcomes in life as a result of our basic belief systems.
Cognitive therapy was developed primarily by Aaron T. Beck, M.D. in the 1970’s. His extensive research suggested that, “…people can learn to control painful mood swings and self-defeating behavior through the application of a few relatively simple principles and techniques” (from the Preface to Feeling Good, David D. Burns, M.D.1980).
The primary goal in cognitive therapy is to correct negative, or distorted thoughts and beliefs. Dr. Burns, in his landmark book Feeling Good (1980), explains that “…the negative thoughts that flood your mind are the actual cause of your self-defeating emotions. These thoughts are what keep you lethargic and make you feel inadequate.”
In therapy, we identify specific thought distortions such as all-or-nothing thinking, catastrophizing, and predicting negative outcomes (Dr. Burns describes 10 specific types of automatic, negative thoughts). We then correct these thoughts to provide a more realistic, and often hopeful, set of ideas and beliefs.
In this type of counseling, the therapist is an active participant in helping people to see themselves more accurately, and to improve self-esteem and self-respect. First developed by Harry Stack Sullivan, M.D. (Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry, 1953), and closely related to Alfred Adler, M.D., and his Individual Psychology, these models emphasize the relationship between individuals and their social environments (relationships and society), and the interrelatedness of body and mind.
Adler believed that human beings are basically goal directed, and have an innate drive for superiority, perfection and totality. He said that we are basically inventive and creative. The goal of therapy is a healthy life style directed toward competence and social usefulness, and to decrease feelings of insecurity and inferiority. The therapist is empathetic, supportive and encouraging. The therapist is actively involved with the client to “…restore the patient’s faith in himself, help him to realize his strength and ability, and foster his belief in his own dignity and worth.” (Modern Synopsis of Psychiatry, 1972, Alfred M. Freedman, et al).
Closely related to these models is “Rogerian”, or Client-Centered Therapy, developed by Dr. Carl Rogers in the 1950’s (Client-Centered Therapy, Carl Rogers, 1951). Dr. Rogers explained that human beings seek self- actualization (a type of emotional and psychological enlightenment, along with higher levels of goal attainment). In this model, the therapist is emotionally available and practices “unconditional positive regard” toward clients.
Psychodrama is an action method developed by Jacob Moreno in the first half of the 1900’s. These are experiential methods such as role playing, and are used to deepen our understanding of ourselves, others, and our relationships. These “enactments” are also useful rehearsals for learning new approaches to old problems. These methods are described in more detail in the section entitled Psychodrama.
Mindfulness Methods
Mindfulness methods are used by many therapists today. Current research in psychology and brain science indicate that these methods are remarkably effective in helping people with anxiety, depression, addictions, and many other problem areas. Western psychology, and many self-help programs and practitioners (such as Alcoholics Anonymous), contain many aspects of Eastern, mindfulness based philosophy. For example, Buddha once said that, “All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think, we become.” Note the essential similarity to cognitive therapy.
The counselors and therapists at this Center often encourage clients to practice some form of meditation, and teach a variety of meditative techniques. Meditation is helpful for the relief of stress and anxiety, and an important practice for living in the moment. Human beings are uniquely inclined to spend excessive amounts of time and energy regretting the past and worrying about the future. This is a recipe for emotional distress.
“There is only the moment, the NOW. Only what you are experiencing at this second is real. This does not mean live for the moment. It means live the moment. A very different thing – Live now. When you are eating, eat. When you are loving, love. When you are talking to someone, talk. When you look at a flower, look. Catch the beauty of the moment.” Leo Buscaglia.
Find out more about individual therapy and the various kinds of problems our Center can help you with.
To make an appointment, contact Richard Loebl at 561-955-6090, or send him an email at Richard@RelationshipCenterOfSouthFlorida.com.
