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Adlerian/Individual Psychology
This
approach is based on the belief that all human behavior has a purpose and
is goal-oriented, that we strive for social connectedness, and that we
suffer our emotional difficulties due to feelings of inferiority and not
having a sense of community. Founded by Alfred Adler (1870-1937, they
believe true change and growth results from identifying, exploring, and
changing mistaken goals and beliefs. Therapy is seen as a re-education
process leading to greater social participation and fewer feelings of
inferiority. The use of art and creativity as a way to get at deeper feelings and greater self-knowledge, this approach is based on the belief that accessing the more creative or right-brain part of us is helpful in identifying what is going on emotionally and can be a part of the healing process.
Behaviorialists believe that true change and movement towards goals is accomplished through action, and that disorders are learned ways of behaving that are maladaptive. If we can learn to change our behavior, then our thoughts, feelings, and attitudes will also change. Common behavioral techniques include systematic desensitization (gradual exposure to an anxiety-provoking situation paired with relaxation), using reinforcements for desired behaviors, and aversion therapy to extinguish unwanted behaviors.
This approach includes the use of electronic systems to monitor internal processes such as heart rate, brain waves, or perspiration to help an individual become aware of their physiological responses and learn to have more control over them.
Counselling is founded on what is written in the Bible and based on the belief that Scripture is the final authority for what kinds of decisions a person should make or how they should live their life.
Clients are believed to be in the best position to resolve their issues if the therapist can establish a warm, accepting, and safe environment in which the individual feels free to talk about his/her issues and can gain insight into them. This type of therapy is non-directive because the therapist typically does not give advice or make interpretations. Founded by Carl Rogers (1902-1987) who believed that people are trustworthy and have a great potential for self-awareness and self-directed growth given a nurturing environment. The function of the therapist is to be genuine, accepting, and empathic. Techniques are seen as less important.
Therapy is based on the belief that faulty thinking patterns and belief systems cause psychological problems and that changing our thoughts improves our mental and emotional health and results in changes in behavior. See works by Aaron T. Beck.
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