PSYCHOTHERAPY: OBJECTIVES

Psychotherapy can be defined in a broad fashion as comprising three distinct components: a healing
agent, a sufferer, and a healing or therapeutic relationship (Frank and Frank 1991). Strupp (1986)
specified that psychotherapy is the systematic use of a human relationship for therapeutic purposes
of alleviating emotional distress by effecting enduring changes in a client’s thinking, feelings, and
behaviour. The mutual engagement of the client and the psychotherapist, both cognitively and
emotionally, is the foundation for effective psychotherapeutic work. Traditionally, the term
psychotherapy has been used to refer to the treatment of mental disorders by means of
psychological techniques, in a client-therapist relationship. It is a process in which a trained
professional enters a relationship with a client for the purpose of helping the client with symptoms
of mental illness, behavioural problems or for helping him towards personal growth. Wolberg (1988)
conceptualizes psychotherapy as an endeavour to alter the behaviour and change the attitude of a
maladjusted person towards a more constructive outcome. He defines psychotherapy as, “, a form
of treatment for problems of an emotional nature in which a trained person deliberately establishes
a professional relationship with a client with the object of

1. removing, modifying or retarding existing symptoms

GUIDANCE, COUNSELLING, AND PSYCHOTHERAPY

We often use the terms counseling, guidance and psychotherapy interchangeably. However, there
are differences among these terms when we are concerned about the professional meaning of the
terms. Let us first see the difference between counseling and guidance. Guidance is a term used to
denote the process of helping an individual to gain self-understanding and self-direction (self-
decision making) so that he/ she can adjust maximally at home, schools or community environment
(Biswalo, 1996). Guidance provides information, suggestion and direction for future action. Guidance
can be described as pre- problem, i.e., before the problem occurs. However, counseling is post –
problem, i.e., a problem has already occurred and counseling is provided to find a solution to the
problem. Though information giving is also there in counseling, however, the major focus is on
bringing about changes in personality and behavior with an aim to solve the problem. Thus
counseling is more remedial in nature with a goal to help the person deal with the conflicts and
problems in life.

Counseling also differs from psychotherapy. Counseling is concerned with the normal day to day
issues and problems of living. It is an important service which caters to our daily living hassles and
anxieties that are not of severe nature; nevertheless, they create dissatisfaction, disharmony, and
hamper the quality of our life. On the other hand, psychotherapy deals with problems of severe
nature that may have serious implications for living an effective balanced life. Psychotherapy thus
involves long term relationship with the client and can be provided in both inpatient and outpatient
settings. However, counseling is provided only in outpatient setting as it concerns mild problems of
daily living. Thus, psychotherapy is related more to clinical setting. Psychotherapy focuses on the
past and aims at bringing about insight. On the other hand, counseling focuses more on the present
and aims at bringing about change in the behavior and personality of the client.

THE COUNSELOR/THERAPIST AS A PROFESSIONAL

 Effective therapists have an identity. They know who they are, what they are capable of
becoming, what they want out of life, and what is essential.
 Effective therapists respect and appreciate themselves. They can give and receive help and
love out of their own sense of self-worth and strength. They feel adequate with others and
allow others to feel powerful with them.
 Effective therapists are open to change. They exhibit a willingness and courage to leave the
security of the known if they are not satisfied with the way they are. They make decisions
about how they would like to change, and they work toward becoming the person they want
to become.
 Effective therapists make choices that are life oriented. They are aware of early decisions
they made about themselves, others, and the world. They are not the victims of these early
decisions, and they are willing to revise them if necessary. They are committed to living fully
rather than settling for mere existence.
 Effective therapists are authentic, sincere, and honest. They do not hide behind rigid roles or
facades. Who they are in their personal life and in their professional work is congruent.
 Effective therapists have a sense of humor. They are able to put the events of life in
perspective. They have not forgotten how to laugh, especially at their own foibles and
contradictions. Effective therapists make mistakes and are willing to admit them. They do
not dismiss their errors lightly, yet they do not choose to dwell on misery.
 Effective therapists generally live in the present. They are not riveted to the past, nor are
they fixated on the future. They are able to experience and be present with others in the
“now.”
 Effective therapists appreciate the influence of culture. They are aware of the ways in which
their own culture affects them, and they respect the diversity of values espoused by other
cultures. They are sensitive to the unique differences arising out of social class, race, sexual
orientation, and gender.
 Effective therapists have a sincere interest in the welfare of others. This concern is based on
respect, care, trust, and a real valuing of others.
 Effective therapists possess effective interpersonal skills. They are capable of entering the
world of others without getting lost in this world, and they strive to create collaborative
relationships with others. They readily entertain another person’s perspective and can work
together toward consensual goals.
 Effective therapists become deeply involved in their work and derive meaning from it. They
can accept the rewards flowing from their work, yet they are not slaves to their work.
 Effective therapists are passionate. They have the courage to pursue their dreams and
passions, and they radiate a sense of energy.
 Effective therapists are able to maintain healthy boundaries. Although they strive to be fully
present for their clients, they don’t carry the problems of their clients around with them
during leisure hours. They know how to say no, which enables them to maintain balance in
their lives
 OBJECTIVES OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

Psychotherapy is more than a talk between two people regarding some problem. It is a collaborative
undertaking, started and maintained on a professional level towards specific therapeutic objectives.
These are:

 Removing existing symptoms: To eliminate the symptoms that are causing distress and
impediments is one of the prime goals in psychotherapy.
 Modifying existing symptoms: Certain circumstances may militate against the object of
removing symptoms (e.g. inadequate motivation, diminutive ego strength or financial
constraints); the objective can be modification rather than cure of the symptoms.
 Retarding existing symptoms: There are some malignant forms of problems e.g. dementia
where psychotherapy serves merely to delay an inevitable deteriorative process. This helps
in preserving client’s contact with reality.
 Mediating disturbed patterns of behaviour: Many occupational, educational, marital,
interpersonal, and social problems are emotionally inspired. Psychotherapy can play vital
role from mere symptom relief to correction of disturbed interpersonal patterns and
relationships.
 Promoting positive personality growth and development: Deals with the immaturity of the
normal person and characterological difficulties associated with inhibited growth. Here
psychotherapy aims at a resolution of blocks in psycho-social development to a more
complete creative self-fulfilment, more productive attitudes, and more gratifying
relationships with people. It also aims at…
– Strengthening the client’s motivation to do the right things.
– Reducing emotional pressure by facilitating the expression of feeling.
– Releasing the potentials for growth.
– Changing maladaptive habits.
– Modifying the cognitive structure of the person.
– Helping to gain self-knowledge.
– Facilitating interpersonal relations and communications