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Behavioral Therapy vs. Freud's Psychoanalysis
Amazing advances have been made in the treatment of mental illness throughout the years (Merck, 2004). An understanding of what causes some mental health disorders has resulted in a greater sophistication in customizing treatment to the underlying basis of specific disorders. Thus, many mental health disorders can now be treated almost as successfully as physical disorders.
Most treatment methods for mental health disorders are either categorized as somatic or psychotherapeutic (Merck, 2004). Somatic treatments include drug therapy and electroconvulsive therapy. Psychotherapeutic treatments include individual, group, or family and marital psychotherapy; behavior therapy techniques; and hypnotherapy. There are many others, as well
Research reveals that for major mental health disorders, a treatment plan involving both drugs and psychotherapy is more effective than either treatment method on its own. This paper will discuss two treatment methods -- behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis -- in an effort to shed some light into how they are similar and different.
The Two Types of Therapy
Freud coined the term "psychoanalysis" in 1856 (Beystehner, 1997). In modern times, psychoanalysis has withstood the test of time and remains a valid option for patients suffering from mental illnesses. The acceptance and popularity of psychoanalysis is seen by the number off institutes, organizations, and conferences established around the world with psychoanalysis as their focus. The theory of psychoanalysis was innovative and revolutionary, and is one that has lasted for many years.
Psychoanalysis is the oldest form of psychotherapy (Merck, 2004). Sigmund Freud developed this method in the early 20th century. During psychoanalysis, a patient usually lies on a couch in the therapist's office 4 or 5 times a week and says whatever comes into his mind. This method is called free association.
A great deal of the focus is on understanding how past patterns of relationships repeat themselves in the present. The relationship between the patient and the therapist is a key part of this focus. An understanding of how the past influences the present helps the person develop new and improved ways of functioning in relationships and at work.
Behavior therapy is related to cognitive therapy (Merck, 2004) and was coined by BF Skinner, who used positive or negative reinforcers to encourage desirable behavior and punishments to discourage undesirable behavior. In many cases, a combination of the two, which is called cognitive-behavior therapy, is used. The theoretical basis of behavior therapy is learning theory, which holds that abnormal behaviors are the result of faulty learning. Behavior therapy involves numerous interventions that are designed to help the patient unlearn maladaptive behaviors while learning adaptive behaviors. Exposure therapy is one example of a behavior therapy.
There are many theoretical schools of psychotherapy, which are too numerous to list here. The most commonly used theoretical approaches are cognitive therapy, behavior therapy, and psychodynamic therapy. In many cases, psychologists combine cognitive and behavioral theoretical approaches, depending on the problem and the treatment goals.
Cognitive psychotherapy concentrates on present problems and conflicts, although past issues may be part of treatment if they influence present life adjustment. This approach assumes that psychological problems are the result of maladaptive expectations, assumptions, beliefs, and perceptions about oneself and others, resulting in ineffective coping behavior.
Most times, cognitive psychotherapy sessions are scheduled once per week, although additional appointments may be scheduled as needed. The length of treatment is dependent on the nature of the problem. Treatment may last only ten to twelve sessions, or may take years. Frequently, treatment is completed within twenty to thirty sessions or less.
As a therapy, psychoanalysis is based on the concept that individuals are unaware of what causes their behavior and emotions (Beystehner, 1997). These unconscious factors can potentially result in unhappiness, which is expressed through a score of distinguishable symptoms, including disturbing personality traits, difficulty in relating to others, or disturbances in self-esteem or general disposition (American Psychoanalytic Association, 1998).
Psychoanalytic treatment is an individualized form of therapy, which seeks to reveal how the unconscious factors affect behavior patterns, relationships, and one's mental health (Beystehner, 1997). Treatment traces unconscious factors to their origins, determines how they have evolved and developed over many years, and ultimately helps patients to overcome the challenges they face in life (National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis, 1998).
According to Beystehner (1997): "The value and validity of psychoanalysis as a theory and treatment have been questioned since its inception in the early 1900s. Critics dispute many aspects of psychoanalysis including whether or not it is indeed a science; the value of the data upon which Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis,...
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