Four Major Approaches to Clinical Psychology - 1803 Words

There are many approaches to clinical psychology; the four major approaches are in psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and family systems. Using the four major approaches contributes to the effectiveness in treatment by identifying the goals of each approach. The paper will break down the approaches, goals, techniques, and the overall approaches used. Philosophical Origins of Clinical Psychology ApproachesAs Thomas Plante (2005) cleverly suggested, clinical psychology is both a science and an art. Scientific research and inquiry helps establish appropriate and effective therapies just as clinical experience allows for improvement in design and implementation (Plante, 2005). One of the primary aspects of clinical psychology is†¦show more content†¦Psychodynamic: Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, focuses on unconscious processes as they are manifested in a person s present behavior. The goals of psychodynamic therapy are a client s self-awareness and understanding of the influence of the past on present behavior (plante, 2005). Cognitive-behavioral: The cognitive approach is presented here following the behavioral discussion. During the 1970s, many researchers and clinicians adhering to the behavioral approach to research and treatment acknowledged a number of significant limitations in their model. Primarily, a strict focus on overt behavior neglected the contributions of thinking and attitudes in human behavior. Cognitive approaches with behavioral approaches. Treatment focusing on changing thinking, feeling, and expectations became as important as the goal of changing overt behavior (plante, 2005). Humanistic: The humanistic approach employed philosophy, existentialism, and theories of human growth and potential to understand human behavior and offer strategies for psychological treatment. The humanistic approach focused on the patient s experience or phenomenology of their concerns and offered warmth, empathy, and unconditional positive regard in psychotherapeutic interactions (Plante, 2005). Family systems: The family systems approaches tend toShow MoreRelated Clinical Psychology Essay1452 Words   |  6 PagesClinical Psychology Psychology is an extraordinarily diverse field with hundreds of career paths. Some specialties, like treating the mentally ill, are familiar to most. Others, like helping with the design of advanced computer systems or studying memory, are less well-known. What psychologists have in common is a shared interest in mind and behavior. 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