Mental Health Issues Blog
The Clinical & Forensic Psychology Practice of Dr. Glen Skoler
DrGlenskolerr@Gmail.coM • (240) 605-2988
Mental Health Issues Blog
The Clinical & Forensic Psychology Practice of Dr. Glen Skoler
DrGlenskolerr@Gmail.coM • (240) 605-2988
Many therapists today feel they need to “sell” a special kind of therapy that distinguishes them from other therapists. Therapists may claim they use “psychodynamic,” “cognitive,” cognitive-behavioral,” “imago,” “dialectical behavioral therapy,” “mindfulness” or “interpersonal” models of therapy. However, the research indicates that therapist experience, sensitivity, empathy, skill and the quality of the therapeutic relationship are more important for effective therapeutic outcome than any claimed model of therapy, not to mention the willingness and motivation of the client to change.
An example of a good therapist is portrayed by Robin Williams in the movie, Good Will Hunting. In this movie the therapist relies on different therapeutic techniques: sometimes making suggestions to change behavior, sometimes confronting irrational thoughts or “cognitions,” sometimes listening silently, offering empathy and deep concern; and sometimes utilizing more traditional “psychodynamic” techniques of “analyzing” the patient and even the therapist’s own reaction to the patient. This is an example of how a professional therapist is always thinking about the overall meaning, process and purpose of psychotherapy, rather than any one model of therapy.
The popular relationship books for couples and singles, by Dr. Harville Hendrix, are another example of a how a good therapist has to think about all of these models simultaneously. An easy-to-read brief book describing the elements of true psychotherapy is, The Gift of Therapy, by Irving Yalom. While I don’t agree with everything in this book, it is an example of the various things good therapists usually try to keep in mind during therapy sessions.
When I conduct individual and couples therapy I tend to use a combination of modern psychodynamic or psychoanalytic theories (called object relations theory) as well as cognitive-behavioral theories and interventions to promote “here and now” change.
Increasingly in our society, there is yet another “model” of treatment, and that is the “biochemical” model. Studies have demonstrated that, for many people and for many problems, therapy, along with making life and health changes, has proven just as effective as psychiatric drugs. Such therapeutic regimens also affect the biochemicals in the brain. Please see the “Psychiatric Meds Blog” on this website for a critical commentary on weighing the costs and benefits of psychiatric medications.
About Models of Therapy and Therapeutic Orientations
Friday, March 5, 2010