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Psychotherapy The oldest are the ‘analytic’ or ‘psychoanalytic’ therapies, developed from the work of Freud and Jung. These use hypnosis, dream analysis, fantasies and free association to delve into the unconscious. Usually one-to-one, they can be helpful for people who have had traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood, and therapists are well trained. Critics say that they take too long, concentrate too much on the past and are too intellectual and pessimistic. More recent kinds of analytic therapy might have the label ‘psychodynamic’’ ‘Humanistic’ or ‘human potential' therapies arose in the 1960s. They have an optimistic view of human nature and treatment is ‘person-centred’, which means that people are treated as individuals and encouraged to find their own answers. The emphasis is on emotional expression rather than rational explanation, and on the present rather than the past. Treatment can be individual or in groups, and short or long-term. The personal style of the therapist, however, is often more important than the particular type of therapy they practise, and many use one or more types in their work. The most recent developments in humanistic therapy are ‘transpersonal’ or ‘psychospiritual’ therapies, which deal with the spirit as well as the intellect and emotions. These are recommended for those wanting to develop themselves or those seeking meaning in their lives. Popular today, and available in the UK through the NHS, are ‘behavioural’ and ‘cognitive’ therapies. These teach you to identify unhelpful or destructive ways of thinking or behaving and replace them with better ones. Often used for phobias, obsessions and addictions, they can also be helpful for depression, panic attacks and chronic pain. The emphasis is on self-help and you are expected to practise between sessions. Treatment is usually fairly brief, but relapse rates can be higher than for longer-term therapies.
Cornwall East Devon South Devon |
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