Therapeutic Approaches Different Therapeutic Approaches and a Diversity of Clients

The prolific nature of theory generation makes it difficult for a therapist to choose a single approach with regard to a specific client type. Cave (1999) listed the "broad" categories of theory as somatic (medical interventions), psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, and humanistic. Under these broad headings are many different subsets of theory that can be used to treat a specific type of malady.

However, this proliferation does offer one benefit to the therapist searching for an approach. Since the diagnostic and statistical manual offers so many choices with regard to disease, the therapist needs just as many avenues for treatment. When the number of possible diagnoses are coupled with the range of different personality types, it can be even more difficult to find an effective therapy. But, at least the choices are there. And if the choice is not available, it offers the therapist the opportunity...

Different cultures often prefer one type of therapy (this is a general statement, and not always accurate). As Paniagua noted in 2005, "In general, African-American, American Indian, Hispanic, and Asian clients prefer therapeutic approaches that are directive (i.e., they want to know what the problem is and what they need to do to solve the problem), active (i.e., they want to play a role in the therapeutic process), and structured (i.e., they want to know exactly what the therapist recommends to solve the problem)." The counter to this direct approach, the indirect, can be a good fit for people who do not understand the process that has led them to therapy. This is especially true of infants/young children and others who have experienced severe relational trauma (Baradon, 2010).
Psychotherapeutic stance is important because the…