PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS:
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective therapeutic approaches. CBT comes as a combination of behavior therapy that promotes behavioral changes and interventions and cognitive therapy that concentrates of the way people think about themselves and situations in their life. The theory supposes that the way we think influences how we feel and that causes us to act in a certain way. Therefore, if one is suffering from various types of problems, it is their thinking patterns and behaviours that are tackled in therapy.
CBT is a directive therapy where the client and the therapist interact and work together towards a common goal. CBT works very well for people who have a certain problem/s (like a phobia, anxiety problems, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, etc.). CBT is usually relatively short and may last from several sessions to several months.
Short Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP)
Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (STDP) is a form of therapy that draws on attachment theory and the theory of mental defenses. Expressing emotions and getting in touch with one’s feelings is beneficial to the individual; being aware of one’s defense mechanisms makes us aware of what it is exactly that causes us to feel certain way and to understand more our behavior. STDP has also been found to be very effective in all types of disorders and problems people might be experiencing. Unresolved issues from one’s childhood and adulthood alike are addressed. Whereas CBT concentrates on thoughts and behaviors, STDP focuses on emotions.
PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR CHILDREN:
Play Therapy
Play therapy as the name suggests centres around play. The child is given certain toys (e.g. a sand box) and plays with it, while the therapists observes and responds to the child. This setting is different from that of a normal play that occurs when the child plays at home with his/her peers or parents, in that here the directive is left only to the child. Thus the child feels safe to open up and use play as means of expression. The child conveys messages and feelings through the play and while doing so many themes may emerge that consequently may be dealt with. Just as adults work with words, children express themselves through play.
Play therapy is very good for children from 3 to 7 years old, with all types of problems, from having witnessed or lived through a traumatic event such as death in the family or being in an accident, having problems at school due to depression and difficulties assimilating in the new environments, to low assertiveness.
For children who are on autistic spectrum disorder play therapy has also been shown to be very effective. During play therapy with autistic children the therapist interferes in the play and encourages collaborative play in order to engage the child and prevent him/her from withdrawing, as well as to establish and strengthen the connection of the child with the therapist.
