Psychodynamic, Affective, and Behavioral Theories to Psychotherapy

The goal of this book is to examine three major theories and their approach to psychotherapy—psychodynamic, affective, and behavioral—which are defined as specific skills that a clinician or student can readily understand. In this book, these theories of psychotherapy are broken down into three phases or levels: beginning (Level I) intermediate (Level II) and action (Level III). Theories that are Level I will be appropriate for establishing a counseling relationship. Level II counseling skills further enhance this initial counseling relationship. Level III theories are action-oriented theories of psychotherapy that are designed to move a client toward change. Theoretical eclecticism, haphazardly drawing from opposing theories, can lead to confusion and epistemological incompatibility. With this in mind, technical eclecticism is explored, suggesting procedures and techniques from many theories without endorsing the individual theories. Experiential exercises, glossaries, and examination questions are included in each chapter. The author believes that it is possible to be eclectic within a broad theoretical framework without randomly trying to integrate diametrically opposing theories. In addition, the following topics are also examined: efficacy research, criteria for critiquing theories of psychotherapy, multicultural counseling, traditional psychoanalysis and other prominent psychoanalysis, behavior therapy, existential psychotherapy, Rogers’s person-centered psychotherapy, Perls’s Gestalt psychotherapy, Moreno’s psychodrama, and the DSM-IV-TR. This unique and comprehensive book will be of interest to mental health workers, educational therapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and students.