Corey Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview

Feminist therapy

A central concept is the concern for the psychological oppression of women. Focusing on the constraints imposed by the sociopolitical status to which women have been relegated, this approach explores women's identity development, self-concept, goals and aspirations, and emotional well-being.

Rational emotive behavior therapy

A highly didactic, cognitive, action-oriented model of therapy that stresses the role of thinking and belief systems as the root of personal problems. Founder: Albert Ellis

Psychotherapy

A process of engagement between two people, and at its best, is a collaborative process that involves both the therapist and client in co-constructing solutions to concerns.

Psychoanalytic therapy

A theory of personality development, a philosophy of human nature, and a method of psychotherapy that focuses on unconscious factors that motivate behavior. Attention is given to the events of the first 6 years of life as determinants of the later development of personality. Founder: Sigmund Freud

Gestalt therapy

An experiential therapy stressing awareness and integration; it grew as a reaction against analytic therapy. It integrates the functioning of body and mind. Founders: Fritz and Laura Perls

Cognitive behavioral approaches

Behavior therapy and cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)

Experiential and relationship-oriented therapies

Existential therapy, person-centered therapy, and Gestalt therapy

Systems and postmodern approaches

Feminist therapy, postmodern approaches, family systems therapy

Cognitive behavior therapy

Gives a primary role to thinking as it influences behavior. Founder: A. T. Beck

Psychoanalytic approaches

Psychoanalytic therapy and Alderian therapy

Existential therapy

Reacting against the tendency to view therapy as a system of well-defined techniques, this model stresses building therapy on the basic conditions of human existence, such as choice, the freedom and responsibility to shape one's life, and self-determination. It focuses on the quality of the person-to-person therapeutic relationship. Key fiugres: Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin Yalom

Postmodern approaches

Social constructionism, solution-focused brief therapy, and narrative therapy all assume that there is no single truth; rather, it is believed that reality is socially constructed through human interaction. These approaches maintain that the client is an expert in his or her own life. Founders: Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg

Behavior therapy

This approach applies the principles of learning to the resolution of specific behavioral problems. Results are subject to continual experimentation. The methods of this approach are always in the process of refinement. Key figures: B. F. Skinner, Arnold Lazarus, and Albert Bandura

Person-centered therapy

This approach was developed during the 1940s as a nondirective reaction against psychoanalysis. Based on a subjective view of human experiencing, it places faith in and gives responsibility to the client in dealing with problems and concerns. Founder: Carol Rogers

Alderian therapy

This is a growth model that stresses assuming responsibility, creating one's own destiny, and finding meaning and goals to create a purposeful life. Key concepts are used in most other current therapies. Founder: Alfred Adler

Reality therapy

This short-term approach is based on choice theory and focuses on the client assuming responsibility in the present. Through the therapeutic process, the client is able to learn more effective ways of meeting her or his needs. Founder: William Glasser

Family systems therapy

This systematic approach is based on the assumption that the key to changing the individual is understanding and working with the family.