Page 1 - LN 4_Therapuetic Approaches

Class - XII

Psychology

Chapter 5: Therapeutic Approaches

MODULE - 5

(Topics: Humanistic-existential Therapy, Existential Therapy, Client-centred Therapy
Gestalt Therapy Biomedical Therapy, Factors Contributing to Healing in Psychotherapy,
Ethics in Psychotherapy, Alternative Therapies, rehabilitation of the mentally ill)

Short Note

Humanistic-existential Therapy

• The humanistic-existential therapies postulate that psychological distress arises
from feelings of loneliness, alienation, and an inability to find meaning and
genuine fulfilment in life.
• Human beings are motivated by the desire for personal growth we and self-
actualisation, and an innate need to grow emotionally.
• Self-actualisation is defined as an innate or inborn force that moves the person to
become more complex, balanced, and integrated, i.e. achieving the complexity and
balance without being fragmented.
• When these needs are curbed by society and family, human beings experience
psychological distress.
• Healing occurs when the client is able to perceive the obstacles to self-actualisation
in her/his life and is able to remove them.
• Self-actualisation requires free emotional expression.
• The family and society curb emotional expression, as the expression can harm the
society.

• This curb leads to destructive behaviour and negative emotions by thwarting the
process of emotional integration.
• Therefore, the therapy creates a permissive, non-judgmental and accepting
atmosphere in which the client’s emotions can be freely expressed and the
complexity, balance and integration could be achieved.
• The therapist is merely a facilitator and guide.
• It is the client who is responsible for the success of therapy.
• The client initiates the process of self-growth through which healing takes place.

Existential Therapy

• Victor Frankl, a psychiatrist and neurologist propounded the Logotherapy.