Overview of therapeutic approaches

Humanistic perspective: client as expert

The humanistic, or person-centered, approach is based on the fundamental premise that each individual possesses an innate tendency toward self-realization and growth.

In this model, the therapist does not act as an authority who diagnoses and prescribes, but as a facilitator who accompanies.

Emphasis is placed on the human being's capacity to make rational decisions and to develop his or her full potential if provided with the right conditions.

The intervention focuses on the subjective experience of the individual and the total acceptance of his or her being.

Concepts such as "unconditional positive regard" are pillars here: the therapist offers warmth and acceptance without judgment, allowing the client to rediscover his or her own worth and direction without the imposition of external interpretations.

Cognitive Perspective: thinking as the source of discomfort

Unlike the humanistic approach that focuses on "being", the cognitive approach focuses on "thinking".

It is based on the theory that our thoughts determine our emotions and behaviors.

It is not external events that disturb us, but our interpretation of them.

If a person has a damaged self-image from previous experiences, he or she will interpret neutral situations as threatening.

Therapy under this approach works to identify, challenge and modify dysfunctional thought patterns or "poor mental images."

By altering the internal narrative and challenging irrational beliefs, a change in emotional and behavioral response is achieved, helping pessimistic or depressed individuals to adopt more realistic and optimistic perspectives.

Behavioral Perspective: Learning and the Environment

The behavioral approach postulates that problem behaviors are learned through interaction with the environment and, therefore, can be unlearned or modified. It is based on principles of classical and operant conditioning.

In classical conditioning, it is understood that we learn by association and repetition (such as the dog that salivates upon hearing a bell associated with food).

In operant conditioning, behavior is shaped by its consequences: reinforcement (rewards) or punishment.

If an action is followed by a reward, it is more likely to be repeated; if it is followed by a punishment, it is less likely.

Behavioral therapy focuses on identifying the environmental factors that reinforce negative behaviors and restructuring the environment to encourage more adaptive and healthy behaviors.

Summary

The humanistic perspective views the client as an expert with a tendency toward self-actualization. The therapist acts as a facilitator, offering unconditional positive regard for the individual to rediscover his or her self-worth.

The cognitive approach focuses on how thinking determines emotions. It works by identifying and modifying dysfunctional mental patterns to alter the internal narrative and improve emotional response.

The behavioral model postulates that problem behaviors are learned from the environment. Therapy uses conditioning to unlearn negative behaviors and restructure the environment by reinforcing more adaptive actions.