Psychotherapy Versus Family Therapy

Unlike family therapy, individual therapy takes an individual, outside of the context of family, and counsels that patient based on their specific needs. As mentioned previously, family therapy utilizes the idea that an individual plays a systematic role within a family. Therefore, the presenting problem most often has roots within the family, which can be identified and resolved through a systematic intervention. However, this theory does not apply to individual counseling. Instead, significant importance is placed on client–counsellor interaction. Psychotherapy is a specialized helping relationship and is defined by John C. Norcross in this way: Psychotherapy is the informed and international application of clinical methods and interpersonal

Two core conditions attached to person–centered therapy include: unconditional positive regard and empathic understanding. Unconditional positive regard is achieved by the therapist by accepting, without judgement, both positive and negative experiences shared by the client. This type of therapy derived from seeing the therapist as the expert and moved instead towards an empathic approach, which would empower and motivate clients to continue the therapeutic process. Rather than viewing people as flawed, with problematic behaviors, person–centered therapy sees each person with the capacity and desire for personal growth and change (Person-Centered Therapy, 2015). Rogerian therapists would avoid directing the course of therapy and instead offer support, guidance, and structure. Person-centered therapy developed at the forefront of the humanistic psychology movement, and has influenced many therapeutic techniques in the mental health field today. The purpose of this form of therapy is to increase a person’s feelings of self–worth, reduce the level of incongruence between the ideal and actual self, and help a person become fully functioning. Another, more common form of therapy, relies heavily on behavior. Behavior therapy is focused on aiding an individual in understanding how changing their behavior can lead to positive feelings or emotions. The goal of behavior therapy is focused on increasing a persons engagement in positive or socially reinforcing activities. In other words, behavioral therapy works to increase positive encounters while working to change negative behavior. Techniques or interventions used in behavioral therapy include: self–monitoring, role play, and behavior modification (Herkov,