Current Psychotherapies 5th edition by Raymond J Corsini
Psychotherapy, as defined by Raymond Corsini, is the formal process of interaction between two parties, each consisting of one or more people, for the purpose of improvement in one of the parties relative to any or all of the following areas of malfunction or disability: Cognitive (disorders of thinking), affective (suffering or emotional discomforts) or behavioral (inadequacy of behavior). One of the parties, the therapist, must have some theory of personality origins, development, maintenance and change in addition to a method of treatment related to the theory. The therapist must have professional and legal approval to act as such. (Corsini, 1995, p.1) Though many consider counseling and psychotherapy to be one in the same, there are some significant differences. Counseling is usually a short process and is problem oriented. The counselor acts as a teacher and may give advice, orders or information in attempting to help the client achieve the desired results. Counselors depend on specialized knowledge and common sense. Psychotherapy, on the other hand, usually involves many sessions and is person oriented. The psychotherapist acts as a detective, listening and supporting the client. Psychotherapists help peo
(2) Individual psychology is an interpersonal psychology (how we interact with others) and coping with ourselves. (4) Both the conscious and unconscious are in the service of the individual who uses them in order to further personal goals. Behavior Therapy has three basic concepts. One is applied behavior, which relies on operant conditioning. Applied behavior analysis uses reinforcement, punishment stimulus control and other procedures. The second is Neobehavioristic Mediational Stimulus-Response model which is used particularly in the study of anxiety, using the technique of systematic desensitization and flooding. The third is Social-Cogitive Theory, which strongly emphasizes the human capacity for self-directed behavior change. (Corsini, 1995, p.198) Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), developed by Albert Ellis, stresses that therapists can help clients to change their minds and, in turn, change their behavior. Highly cognitive, active-directive, homework-assigning and discipline-oriented therapies, such as REBT, are likely to be more effective in a shorter duration of time. Though a warm client/therapist relationship is desirable, it is not necessary. Though there is unconditional acceptance, deficiencies are pointed out. REBT uses role-playing, assertion training, humor and suggestion to help the client examine and change basic values. REBT is a method which helps the client change their personality and resist the tendencies to be suggestible and conforming. It helps them to enhance one side of their humanness while changing and living more happily (and not repressing) the other side. (Corsini, 1995, p.194)
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Approximate Word count = 2479
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
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