Cognitive behavioural therapy (or cognitive behaviour therapy, CBT) is a psychotherapeutic approach that aims to influence dysfunctional emotions, behaviours and cognitions through a goal-oriented, systematic procedure. CBT can be seen as an umbrella term for a number of psychological techniques that share a theoretical basis in behaviouristic learning theory and cognitive psychology.

CBT treatments have received empirical support for efficient treatment of a variety of clinical and non-clinical problems, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, personality disorders, eating disorders, substance abuse disorders, and psychotic disorders. It is often brief and time-limited. It is used in individual therapy as well as group settings, and the techniques are also commonly adapted for self-help applications. Some CBT therapies are more oriented towards predominately cognitive interventions while some are more behaviourally oriented. In recent years cognitive behavioural approaches have become prevalent in correctional settings. These programs are designed to teach criminal offenders cognitive skills that will reduce criminal behaviours. It has become commonplace, if not pervasive, to find cognitive behavioural program strategies in use in prisons and jails in many countries. In cognitive oriented therapies, the objective is typically to identify and monitor thoughts, assumptions, beliefs and behaviours that are related and accompanied to debilitating negative emotions and to identify those which are dysfunctional, inaccurate, or simply unhelpful. This is done in an effort to replace or transcend them with more realistic and useful ones.

CBT was primarily developed through a merging of behaviour therapy with cognitive therapy. While rooted in rather different theories, these two traditions found common ground in focusing on the "here and now" and symptom removal. Many CBT treatment programs for specific disorders have been developed and evaluated for efficacy and effectiveness; the health-care trend of evidence-based treatment, where specific treatments for specific symptom-based diagnoses are recommended, has favoured CBT over other approaches such as psychodynamic treatments. In the United Kingdom, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommends CBT as the treatment of choice for a number of mental health difficulties, including post-traumatic stress disorder, OCD, bulimia nervosa and clinical depression.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

In the model Self is conceived as a particular form of mental activity, or process, the dynamic and moving form of which is manifest in the stream of consciousness (William James) and in certain kinds of conversation. The theoretical framework of the Conversational Model depends mainly on the development of self in relatedness, and the integration of unconscious traumatic memory. It has rigorously integrated psychoanalytic understanding with research in the fields of trauma and developmental theory, linguistics, and memory along with neurophysiology, in a way that is applicable in day to day psychotherapeutic practice. It has been and continues to be scientifically tested and published. It continues to evolve while maintaining it's basic and core features.

Source: ANZAP

The term 'experiential' describes a special way of uncovering behavioural and emotional patterns in the here and now. The emphasis is on the 'experience' rather than 'talking about'.

Experiential therapies include Gestalt, Psychodrama, Somatic therapies, and many other modalities. The purpose is to enact past and present emotional relational or intrapsychic difficulties.

In re-experiencing events and relationships the client is able to view their relationships from a different perspective. This aids the release of emotions that may have been blocked and repressed and has significant benefits. The goal of Experiential therapies is to free a client from the unresolved emotions.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of psychotherapy that was developed to resolve symptoms resulting from disturbing and unresolved life experiences. It uses a structured approach to address past, present, and future aspects of disturbing memories. The approach was developed by Francine Shapiro to resolve the development of trauma-related disorders as resulting from exposure to a traumatic or distressing event, such as rape or military combat. Clinical trials have been conducted to assess EMDR's efficacy in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).[citation needed] In some studies it has been shown to be equivalent to cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure therapies, and more effective than some alternative treatments (see effectiveness sections below). Although some clinicians may use EMDR for various problems, its research support is primarily for disorders stemming from distressing life experiences.

EMDR integrates elements of imaginal exposure, cognitive therapy, psychodynamic and somatic therapies. It also uses the unique and somewhat controversial element of bilateral stimulation (e.g. moving the eyes back and forth). According to Francine Shapiro's theory, when a traumatic or distressing experience occurs, it may overwhelm usual ways of coping and the memory of the event is inadequately processed; the memory is dysfunctionally stored in an isolated memory network. When this memory network is activated, the individual may re-experience aspects of the original event, often resulting in inappropriate overreactions. This explains why people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic incident may have recurring sensory flashbacks, thoughts, beliefs, or dreams. An unprocessed memory of a traumatic event can retain high levels of sensory and emotional intensity, even though many years may have passed.

EMDR uses a structured eight-phase approach and addresses the past, present, and future aspects of the dysfunctionally stored memory. During the processing phases of EMDR, the client attends to the disturbing memory in multiple brief sets of about 15"30 seconds, while simultaneously focusing on the dual attention stimulus (e.g., therapist-directed lateral eye movements, alternate hand-tapping, or bilateral auditory tones). Following each set of such dual attention, the client is asked what associative information was elicited during the procedure. This new material usually becomes the focus of the next set. This process of alternating dual attention and personal association is repeated many times during the session.

The theory is that EMDR works directly with memory networks and enhances information processing by forging associations between the distressing memory and more adaptive information contained in other semantic memory networks. It is thought that the distressing memory is transformed when new connections are forged with more positive and realistic information. This results in a transformation of the emotional, sensory, and cognitive components of the memory so that, when it is accessed, the individual is no longer distressed. Instead he/she recalls the incident with a new perspective, new insight, resolution of the cognitive distortions, elimination of emotional distress, and relief of related physiological arousal.

When the distressing or traumatic event is an isolated incident, the symptoms can often be cleared with one to three EMDR sessions. But when multiple traumatic events contribute to a health problem "such as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, parental neglect, severe illness, accident, injury, or health-related trauma that result in chronic impairment to health and well-being" the time to heal may be longer.

Source: www.emdraa.org

Hypnosis is a method of inducing a trance or a dream-like state in order to treat disorders of mainly psychological or emotional origin. It has been practised in various forms for thousands of years by many cultures including African, American Indian, Celtic, Egyptian and Ancient Greek. In the 19th and early 20th centuries hypnosis was seen more as a sideshow curiosity than a valid medical treatment. Today, it is recognised by the scientific community as an effective healing tool, although how hypnotherapy works is still something of a mystery. Hypnosis is used as a part of medical, psychological and dental treatments; it is not a treatment in its own right.

Hypnosis is effective in treating a range of disorders, some of those are:

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Chronic pain
• Fears and phobias
• Giving up smoking
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia
• Panic attacks
• Stress.

The alpha brainwave

A hypnotic state can occur naturally and spontaneously, such as when you are absorbed in a pleasant task, or when day-dreaming. Clinical hypnosis is the deliberate induction of an altered state of awareness. The brain has different levels of consciousness, or awareness, ranging from fully alert to drowsy to fully asleep, with variations in between. These different levels of consciousness can be mapped by brain wave activity, using a device called an electroencephalograph (EEG). When the brain is calm, it produces a distinctive EEG pattern called alpha waves. According to current theory, the subconscious mind is more accessible when the brain is producing alpha waves, because the conscious mind is relaxed. Therapeutic suggestions can then be given, usually to great effect.

You are in control

Suggestions tend to be taken to heart, but only if those suggestions are acceptable to the hypnotised person. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot be hypnotised into doing things against your will. You cannot be forced into a hypnotic state either. Instead, you allow yourself to be hypnotised. It is a voluntary altering of your own consciousness, and you are always in control.

Degrees of suggestibility

One in ten people are very easy to hypnotise. Eighty per cent of the general population is reasonably open to hypnotic suggestion. The remaining 10 cent are resistant. In general, children are easier subjects than adults. Your degree of suggestibility has a lot to do with certain personality traits and doesn't mean you have a weak character, as is popularly believed. Easily hypnotised people have a number of positive traits in common, including:

• High creativity or artistic tendencies
• A good imagination
• The ability to lose oneself in a movie or book
• The ability to concentrate and keep mental focus.

Different methods of hypnosis

Typically, relaxing the mind involves the use of imagery. For instance, you might be asked to imagine a peaceful scene. Being in a hypnotic state feels similar to the dreamy state of mind that exists just before falling asleep, except you are alert and aware of your surroundings. There are many ways to deliberately induce this altered state of consciousness, including:

• A qualified hypnosis practitioner
• Hypnosis audiotapes
• Imaginative techniques
• Relaxation techniques.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT) is a time-limited psychotherapy that focuses on the interpersonal context and on building interpersonal skills. IPT is based on the belief that interpersonal factors may contribute heavily to psychological problems. It is commonly distinguished from other forms of therapy in its emphasis on the interpersonal rather than the intrapsychic.

Interpersonal psychotherapy largely stems from the interpersonal psychoanalysis work of Harry Stack Sullivan, who, although coming from a psychodynamic background, was strongly influenced by ideas in sociology and social psychology.

Interpersonal therapy was first developed as a theoretical placebo for the use in psychotherapy research by Gerald Klerman, et al. IPT was, however, found to be quite effective in the treatment of several psychological problems.[citation needed] IPT was later developed in the 1970s and 80s as an outpatient treatment for adults who were diagnosed with moderate or severe non-delusional clinical depression.

Although originally developed as an individual therapy for adults, IPT has been modified for use with adolescents and older adults, bipolar disorder, bulimia, post-partum depression and couples counseling. Over the last 30 years, a number of empirical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of IPT in the treatment of depression and various other disorders.

IPT takes structure from psychodynamic psychotherapy, but also from contemporary cognitive behavioral approaches in that it is time-limited and employs homework, structured interviews, and assessment tools.

In the initial stages of IPT, therapeutic goals typically include diagnosis, completing the requisite inventories, identifying the client's major problem areas, and creating a treatment contract.

In the intermediate stages of IPT, the client and therapist, focusing on the present, work on the major problem areas identified. Four major problem areas are commonplace in IPT. The first is grief, and clients typically present with delayed or distorted grief reactions. Treatment aims include facilitating the grieving process, the client's acceptance of difficult emotions, and their replacement of lost relationships. The second major problem area is role dispute, in which a client is experiencing nonreciprocal expectations about a relationship with someone else. Here, treatment focuses on understanding the nature of the dispute, the current communication difficulties, and works to modify the client's communication strategies while remaining in accord with their core values. A third major problem area is role transition, in which an individual is in the process of giving up an old role and taking on a new one. In this case, treatment attempts to facilitate the client's giving up of the old role, expressing emotions about this loss, and acquiring skills and support in the new role they must take on. A final problem area commonly broached with IPT is interpersonal deficits. Clients presenting interpersonal deficits commonly engage in an analysis of their communication patterns, participate in role playing exercises with the therapist, and work to reduce their overall isolation, if applicable.

In the termination stages of IPT, the therapist works to consolidate the client's gains, discuss areas which still require work, talk about relapse prevention, and process any emotions related to termination of therapy.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

Meditation is a mental discipline by which one attempts to get beyond the reflexive, "thinking" mind into a deeper state of relaxation or awareness. Meditation often involves turning attention to a single point of reference. It is recognized as a component of many religions, and has been practiced since antiquity. It is also practiced outside religious traditions. Different meditative disciplines encompass a wide range of spiritual and/or psychophysical practices which may emphasize different goals from achievement of a higher state of consciousness, to greater focus, creativity or self-awareness, or simply a more relaxed and peaceful frame of mind.

A review of scientific studies identified relaxation, concentration, an altered state of awareness, a suspension of logical thought and the maintenance of a self-observing attitude as the behavioural components of meditation. It is accompanied by a host of biochemical and physical changes in the body that alter metabolism, heart rate, respiration, blood pressure and brain chemistry. Meditation has been used in clinical settings as a method of stress and pain reduction. Meditation has also been studied specifically for its effects on stress.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

In psychodrama, participants explore internal conflicts through acting out their emotions and interpersonal interactions on stage. A given psychodrama session (typically 90 minutes to 2 hours) focuses principally on a single participant, known as the protagonists. Protagonists examine their relationships by interacting with the other actors and the leader, known as the director. This is done using specific techniques, including doubling (psychodrama), role reversals, mirrors, soliloquy, and applied sociometry.

Psychodrama attempts to create an internal restructuring of dysfunctional mindsets with other people, and it challenges the participants to discover new answers to some situations and become more spontaneous and independent. There are over 10,000 practitioners internationally.

Although a primary application of psychodrama has traditionally been as a form of group psychotherapy, and psychodrama often gets defined as "a method of group psychotherapy," this does a disservice to the many other uses or functions of the method. More accurately psychodrama is defined as "a method of communication in which the communicator[s] expresses him/her/themselves in action." The psychodramatic method is an important source of the role-playing widely used in business and industry. Psychodrama offers a powerful approach to teaching and learning, as well as to training interrelationship skills. The action techniques of psychodrama also offer a means of discovering and communicating information concerning events and situations in which the communicator has been involved.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

The relational approach is a psychoanalytic technique that emphasizes the the therapeutic relationship, and the way important relational patterns get acted out. Emphasis is placed on the importance of therapists' authenticity, and on their willingness and ability to bring their unique personhood into the therapeutic relationship.

In treatment there is often an ongoing process of rupture and repair in the relationship between client and therapist, that is similar in some respects to the ongoing process of disruption and repair that developmental researchers observe in mother-infant interactions. The process of acknowledging and working through these ruptures plays a critical role in helping clients to develop an internal representation of self as capable of negotiating the inevitable tensions that emerge in relationships with others, and of others as available and open to working things through. This therapeutic process typically (but not always) has a conceptual or reflective dimension to it, but it is important to emphasize that much of the learning takes place at a bodily felt, affective level.

Source: Dr Jeremy D. Safran

Relationship counseling is the process of counselling the parties of a relationship in an effort to recognize and to better manage or reconcile troublesome differences and repeating patterns of distress. In the clinical practice we mainly see couples and family members, but employees, neighbours, friends and many other related parties can also encounter conflicts.

Couples therapy is a from of relationship counselling. In the psychodynamically oriented couple therapy we search for and resolve issues originating in the parties' personal history and get acted out in the couple system. In couples therapy emotions are the target and the agent of change, but we often provide techniques, behaviour strategies, and experiential exercises to facilitate change.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com

Self psychology emphasizes the development of a stable and integrated sense of self through empathic contacts with other humans, primary significant others conceived of as "selfobjects." Selfobjects meet the developing self's needs for mirroring, idealization, and twinship, and thereby strengthen the developing self. The process of treatment proceeds through "transmuting internalizations" in which the patient gradually internalizes the selfobject functions provided by the therapist. Self psychology was proposed originally by Heinz Kohut, and has been further developed by Arnold Goldberg, Frank Lachmann, Paul and Anna Ornstein, Marian Tolpin, and others.

Source: http://www.wikipedia.com