INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY – Levels of Individual Therapy (MENTAL HEALTH NURSING)
Psychotherapy is the use of techniques that facilitates or allows people to modify their feelings, attitudes and behaviors. Individual psychotherapy focuses on the needs and problems of the client. In therapy two people come together in an encounter that is specifically designed for the purposes of relieving emotional pain, treating mental illness and facilitating change and growth. In a therapy situation one person is designated as the therapist (the facilitating or helping person) and the other is called client (the person seeking help). As individual psychotherapy develops the client and therapist will discuss some historical information, current challenges, pass successes, feelings, needs and goals. Because of their objectivity and specialized knowledge, therapists generally can be more effective than family or friends in facilitating the client’s with challenges and growth
LEVELS OF INDIVIDUAL THERAPY
Supportive: the client is provided a caring, safe relationship in which to explore problems and make decisions. The therapist reinforces client’s existing coping skills and does not attempt to teach him/her new coping methods
Re-educative: the client explores new ways to perceive and behave through a systematic approach. The client and therapist sign a contract that identifies goals and desired changes in behaviors and feelings. An effective approach is reality based focused on solutions and directly deals with concrete issues. Examples include cognitive restructuring and behavior modification
Reconstructive: the client may spend two to five years exploring all aspects of his/her life through analysis or deep psychotherapy. Outcomes include self-understanding and understanding of others greater emotional freedom, maximizing one’s potential, and a greater capacity for love and work
