Distinguish between insight and action therapies and between directive and nondirective therapies, then for each of the following therapies identify (1) whether the therapy is an insight therapy or an action therapy; (2) whether it is directive or nondirective; (3) whether it is usually conducted individually or conducted both individually and in groups; and (4) the major strength of each

Question

therapy: psychoanalysis, brief psychodynamic therapy, client-centered therapy, existential therapy, Gestalt therapy, behavioral therapies, Beck's cognitive therapy, and Ellis' REBT.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answers will include that insight therapies aim to bring clients to a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behavior, while action therapies are designed to bring about direct changes in troublesome thoughts, habits, feelings, or behavior, without seeking insight into their origins or meanings. In directive therapies, the therapist provides strong guidance and advice, while in nondirective therapies, the therapist acts as a guide and only assists clients, who are responsible for solving their own problems. Psychoanalysis, brief psychodynamic therapy, client-centered, existential, and Gestalt therapy would be classified as insight therapies since they seek to lead clients to a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors; while the behavioral and cognitive therapies would be considered action therapies because they seek to directly change behaviors and thought patterns, respectively. Client-centered therapy is the only one that would be considered completely nondirective, since clients are responsible for solving their own problems with the therapist acting as a facilitator. Existential therapists can take a directive or a nondirective approach within this insight therapy. Therapists provide strong guidance in the other therapies listed. Psychoanalysis, brief psychodynamic therapy, existential therapy, cognitive therapy, and rational-emotive behavior therapy are usually conducted individually, while client-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, and behavior therapy can be conducted both individually and in groups. Psychoanalysis is known for searching honesty, while brief psychodynamic therapy makes productive use of conflict. Client-centered therapy provides its clients with acceptance and empathy with existential therapy providing personal empowerment to its clients and Gestalt therapist having their clients focus on immediate awareness. Behavioral therapies look for observable changes in behavior, while Beck's cognitive therapy provides constructive guidance, and Ellis' REBT aids one's clarity of thinking and goals.