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There are psychologists of various theoretical orientations
and it is important that a "good fit" be found between the
client and the practitioner. A few of the main theoretical
orientations include: behavioral techniques, psychodynamic-insight
oriented therapy, and the cognitive-behavioral approach.
Although
a thorough review of these goes beyond the scope of this website,
they all have in common the goal of helping people to overcome
psychological obstacles and to feel better — ultimately leading
healthier and more productive lives. Some approaches are better
suited for certain difficulties. For example, for someone
with a very specific air travel phobia, the treatment of choice
is systematic desensitization with a behavioral psychologist.
My
approach to understanding emotional difficulties has been
largely informed by the psychodynamic and insight oriented
perspectives. Psychodynamic theorists believe that as we grow
through life there may arise developmental "derailments" that
halt our progress and growth. These may be situationally related,
such as stemming from a severe present-day stressor, or they
may represent a recurrence of chronic, unresolved psychological
conflict or deficits from our early lives. It is the task
of the client and therapist, working conjunctively, to understand
what has halted normal development, and create the environment
which will be most helpful in restoring the capacity for progressive
personality growth. Psychodynamic therapists also understand
that we each possess an "unconscious" which helps us to create
meaning in our various life experiences. To the extent that
these meanings exist out of our conscious awareness, they
may exert influences that act on us and influence us outside
of our awareness. An additional aim of a psychodynamic treatment
is to bring these unconscious factors to light.
While
this approach certainly appreciates the importance of helping
symptoms to dissipate, it also acknowledges that symptoms
often reflect an underlying psychological deficit or conflict.
Therefore, the focus is more on gaining understanding and
insight into the difficulty, than directly attempting to eradicate
the problematic symptom. It is generally believed that in
the context of a caring and empathic therapeutic relationship,
the understanding gained from the therapeutic dialogue will
be sufficient to help the client restore their own sense of
balance and growth.
If you wish to learn more about this theoretical orientation,
I suggest the book: Introduction to the Practice of
Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, by Alessandra Lemma. 2003.
John Wiley.
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