Demystifying Therapy: What's a Theoretical Orientation?
Finding a therapist who is a good match for you can sometimes feel like a very mysterious process. Of course, as in any relationship, some sort of undefinable chemistry is part of what helps you know that you feel good speaking to this person as opposed to someone else. But then there are other factors such as clinical style and theoretical orientation which both influence how the therapist is going to work with you.
Most seeking therapy wind up with someone who was recommended to them by a friend, doctor, or other practitioner. Few patients actually call up a prospective therapist and ask what clinical theory she uses.
One of my passions as a clinician is helping to demystify the therapy process and assisting consumers to become more informed about therapy–both the process and the choices they have. If you have heard the term “theoretical orientation,” but never knew what it meant, this blog entry should help to clear up some of the confusion.
Okay Then, So What is a Theoretical Orientation?
As part of the training to become a therapist, we are introduced to different theories that offer different understandings about how a person’s problems develop and how those problems can be solved. These concepts about the development of problems and how they are best resolved are called a therapist’s theoretical orientation. It is the basic guiding principle in organizing a treatment and wil provide information on how a therapist is likely to interact with you.
It is always appropriate to ask a therapist questions about her or his training, experience, and the theoretical orientation(s) she uses in her work. Consider your own preferences and style and think about whether your therapist’s approach will fit for your goals and vision of therapy.
Here are some of the more common theoretical orientations which you are likely to encounter, along with descriptions of how they may influence the therapy.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (or CBT) posits that behaviors and beliefs are responsible for the development of a client’s presenting problem. A CBT therapist will usually help their client to identify, challenge, and adjust maladaptive beliefs and behaviors. They will work with a client to identify negative or less-useful automatic thoughts, sometimes using charting tools like Thought Records. This kind of therapy can be more structured and directive and can include homework assignments such as tracking moods, recording thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and even exposing oneself to situations that cause anxiety both in and out of sessions. The therapist will also teach the client breathing and relaxation techniques that can be practiced in-session, and used out of session. You can find out more about CBT from the National Association of Cognitive Behavioral Therapists.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (or DBT) was originally pioneered by Marsha Linehan as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, but it has also proven effective for a range of other problems. It is not a theoretical orientation, but a treatment approach that you may hear about. It utlizes focused CBT techniques to increase a client’s mindfulness, interpersonal effectiveness, emotional regulartion, and distress tolerance.
EMDR
Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing (or EMDR) is another treatment protocol that isn’t really a theoretical orientation. It utlizes bilateral stimulation, usually through eye movements, tapping, or audio stimuli, that is most frequently used to treat trauma, but which can also be used to treat anxiety or other troubling and intrusive thoughts. The therapist will apply the bilateral stimulation while having a client re-imagine painful or troubling events in her life. The therapist will walk the client through a standard set of questions during the therapy. Research has indicated that EMDR helps to integrate these painful memories, allowing clients to experience shifts in meaning and feel relief or “clearing,” of the painful memories.
Family therapy
Family therapy, sometimes called family systems therapy, works with couples, families, and/or children and looks at problems in the context of a family system, viewing the entire family as the therapy client. Usually the family comes in together, although different subsets of the family may come in seperately or together, over time, in order to improve the overall functioning ofthe family unit. There are many different models of family therapy that utilize different approaches. The goal of treatment is to decrease distress in the overall family system and improve relationships. Therapists who practice family therapy are likely to examine different patterns of interaction and invite family members to try new behaviors in order to alter the system.
Feminist therapy
Feminist therapists are less focused on particular therapeutic techniques and are more focused upon connection between sex, gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, religion, age and other categories which may influence a person’s experience in the world. Therapists who practice feminist therapy will try to create an egalitarian relationship between themselves and their client.
Gestalt therapy
Gestalt therapy, developed by Fritz Perls, is an experiential, existential therapy focusing on the present moment and what is perceived and felt. The therapy helps put clients in touch with their feelings and behaviors and how they affect how a client behaves. There is more focus on process and less focus on content.
Humanistic approaches
Humanistic therapy tends towards optimism. The theory is predicated on the belief that people have a natural inclination to strive toward self-fulfillment. the goal is to help patients self-actualize through self-examination, self-mastery, and creative expression. Freedom of choice or “self determination,” is a core value of the treatment. Humanistic therapists use open-ended responses, reflective listening and tentative interpretations to help their clients develop self-understanding, acceptance and actualization.
Integrative therapy
Some therapists will describe their practice as integrative, meaning that they use a number of different theories and interventions with the clients they see. If a therapist says she is integrative, ask her which specific theories she integrates into her practice. You may even want to ask her how and when she makes the choice to utilize different techniques.
Narrative therapy
Narrative therapy was developed by Michael White and David Epston and it examines the “storying,” of people’s lives. A Narrative therapist understands a person’s problems as the consequence of their getting stuck in “a problem-saturated story,” and only attending to the details that confirm this story. Narrative therapists help their clients to deconstruct problem-saturated narratives, re-author their experiences, and develop new (preferred) alternate stories.
Narrative therapists also view problems as separate from people with their own agendas and strategies, and work with clients to help them to also separate themselves from problems, developing tools and resources to fight the problem. A narrative therapist considers the client to be the ultimate expert of her life and views the role of therapist to be more of a curious, investigative reporter assisting the client to make new discovers through different types of interviewing questions.
Psychodynamic
Psychodynamic or insight-oriented therapy looks at how the unconscious influences a person’s thinking and behavior. The goal is to bring self-awareness and understanding to a person, helping them understand how unresolved conflicts from the past may be influencing them in the present, replicating unwanted patterns in current relationships. Often these patterns may even be replicated and explored in the actual therapy relationship. Psychodynamic therapy grew out of Psychoanalytic theory and can be either brief or longer-term.
Psychoanalytic
Psychoanalytic therapy (or psychoanalysis) focuses is usually a long-term, intensive therapy focusing on the client’s unconscious, unresolved conflicts from childhood, seeking to help the client become freed from these unexamined barriers. Psychoanalytic therapy utilizes free association, exploration of dreams, and interpretations of the client’s transference and resistance in order to bring this unconscious material into the client’s conscious awareness. Psychoanalytic practitioners may listen carefully while maintaining a neutral position, only offering insights when it seems that a unique moment is presenting itself. They will clarify and confront a client’s defenses and wishes.
Some Last Words on Theory
Now that you have an overview of some the main theories most practitioners use, it’s good to remember that regardless of theory, all therapists differ. Two therapists utlizing the same exact theory may still think and respond differently to the same client bringing with the same issues. Ultimately, you still need to meet with a therapist face-to-face in order to know for sure if she’s the right therapist for you.
There are also other factors to consider when choosing a therapist, and I will write more about these factors in the future.
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July 13, 2009 @ 11:57 pm
[…] Demystifying Therapy: What’s a Theoretical Orientation? […]
September 14, 2016 @ 8:49 pm
Thank you so much for creating this post. It was immensely helpful in building knowledge of what type of treatment is most fitting for me ( and also not so fitting). Do you have any recommendations for other things to look for when selecting a therapist?
Theoretical orientations | Beyondromance
September 6, 2012 @ 12:38 am
[…] Demystifying Therapy: What’s a Theoretical Orientation? | SF Bay …May 29, 2009 … Finding a therapist who is a good match for you can sometimes feel like a very mysterious process. Of course, as in any relationship, some sort … […]
March 12, 2013 @ 4:55 am
I found this to be a really helpful write-up of exactly what I wanted to know — when does that ever happen?! I lucked out on this search.
I had no idea what the difference between psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches to therapy might be, for instance. And now I know the name of the orientation that I realize from past experience works less well for me (Humanistic).
One question: Doesn’t family systems (Bowen?) also work for individual therapy? I was first exposed to those ideas in an individual therapy context, and it blew my mind. Now I’m looking into whether I can find a therapist with a similar approach for family sessions.
Thanks for your article, so clear and concise; I really appreciate it.
March 13, 2013 @ 8:22 pm
Yes, ilais, family systems can be extremely helpful for many people in individual therapy. Many people appreciate having an individual therapist who understands and appreciates how an individual can change family dynamics or how issues may be perpetuated in a couple, relationship, or family dynamic. Bowenian Family Systems is but one theory of family systems, but there are others as well. I wonder if http://www.thebowencenter.org/ might be able to help you find a Bowenian therapist in your community? Of if you Google Bowen Family Therapy and your city, you may find therapists who describe this approach who are local to you. Good luck.
January 7, 2015 @ 5:38 pm
I’m a graduate clinical mental health counseling student and am moving into practicum. I’ve been finding it difficult to choose my theoretical orientation since many theories have beneficial aspects to them. I find that I am very drawn to Narrative Therapy (is that actually a theoretical orientation?) and also like to employ mindfulness techniques. I know that CBT is very effective, and I like aspects of Feminist theory and Gestalt. Although I wouldn’t employ all aspects of Psychodynamic or Humanistic theories, I like some of the features of these theories. I plan on working with children and adolescents & think that Narrative therapy lends well to this population. I am wondering if you have any ideas on how I can further develop my theoretical orientation. I will be working on this in practicum, but I’d like to start thinking more about this now. Thanks!
January 8, 2015 @ 1:43 am
Dear Amy, this is a great question. Graduate school is such a wonderful time to open up to learning about different theoretical orientations and what speaks to you. My suggestion would be to take full advantage of your training opportunities and to get experiences from people who have a strong focus in the areas you wish to learn more about.
I am still an integrative clinician and, like you, I always was integrative even as a graduate student. I never had that “purist” approach, likely because I’d been a psychotherapy patient and had the experience of different approaches working for me. I also have multiple ideas about how psychological problems develop and I think it depends upon the particular person. I don’t think there is just one answer. But sometimes, training with someone who is a purist can help you really learn a theory.
If you are integrative it’s important to still have a good rationale for why you are using the approach you use with a particular client at a particular time.
Even in my consultation groups, I prefer to have clinicians who prefer different theoretical models because it adds richness to my case conceptualization and I’m always open to trying new approaches. I try to tailor my approach to what seems to resonate for the client, but I will often fall into CBT treatment for symptom relief early on and then move into more Narrative or psychodynamic work once the person is experiencing more relief.
And remember that even after you’re licensed, you may change your approach. I know a few people who went into analytic training following graduate school. Or people who moved on to less known models such as ISTDP or AEDP. So the learning continues even after you complete your graduate training.
March 11, 2015 @ 5:26 pm
I really needed this article today. I am a PsyD Counseling Psychology student with my undergrade in organizational management and graduate work in Career counseling. I have been feeling like an alien when my advisors ask me about my orientation. I align a lot with contemplative psychotherapy as very much integrative to use otnher theories and tools to find out what the client needs to be empowered And live in the way they deem fit.
May 23, 2015 @ 9:19 pm
I’m a Graduate Student, in Forensic Psychology and this was extremely helpful! thank you so much. I was wondering if you had any suggestion on anything that would help me with furthering my understanding with treatment modality? I’m looking forward to your response and thanks again for the information.
May 24, 2015 @ 12:46 am
Dear Kalina,
If you’re already in graduate school, I suggest chatting with faculty who teach from particular modalities or perhaps doing some more reading on those that interest you. I was able to just scratch the surface in these posts, but a good google or amazon post will lead you to resources and books to deepen your understanding. Good luck in your studies.
June 5, 2015 @ 5:17 am
Once again, you are amazing.
You took the time to do what so many of us are too tired to do (Ok, I should just speak for myself). You laid out a succinct, crystal clear glossary that we all – therapists and clients alike – can utilize. Deep bow.
Thanks Dr Kolmes. You so totally rock.
June 5, 2015 @ 5:47 am
Thanks, Rachel, and everyone else for the kind words. I’m glad people liked this post.
October 15, 2015 @ 3:16 pm
Great Article!!! I am supervising a student and would like know if you have any other resources for beginning supervisors and for practicum students beginning their clinical experiences?
October 16, 2015 @ 6:53 am
Thank you, Maggie. Most of my resources that are used in training are in regard to social media. You may want to check these links:
https://drkkolmes.com/clinician-articles/
https://drkkolmes.com/publications/
November 23, 2015 @ 4:14 pm
Im MA psychotherpy student and struggling with assigment – How do you account for the finding from research that diverse theoretical orientations/techniques used by therapist produce different results /outcomes for clients…would appreciate any artcle or current research on this thank you
January 29, 2016 @ 4:50 am
Thank-you for a great synopsis!
Why isn’t there any mention of art therapy? I’d be happy to write that.
marciaweisbrot.blogspot.com
May 18, 2016 @ 1:34 pm
Thank you for this information. Do you know any resources that list interventions that I can review? It becomes time consuming searching journals to find what therapy interventions one by one.
June 20, 2016 @ 1:34 am
it really helped me in doing my assignment
August 28, 2016 @ 5:25 pm
I am researching the long term strengths and weakness of the major counseling theories. I sure could use your insight as well as some good reference sources.
January 23, 2021 @ 2:06 pm
I think Francine and other leaders might say the description of EMDR is limited. It is an information processing model, referring to how we process and store information cognitively, emotionally, and physically. It is very much an integrative approach as it incorporates multiple theories/modalities.