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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Elizabeth31 on December 5, 2009, at 21:05:16
Is it possible for a therapist to adapt their approach of treatment for a patient? My psychiatrist recommended that I switch from a cognitive behavior therapist to a psychodynamic therapist. I'm confused--isn't it all the same thing? Are there different rules to follow or would something be different during sessions? Thanks!
Posted by nadezda on December 6, 2009, at 10:04:51
In reply to therapy question, posted by Elizabeth31 on December 5, 2009, at 21:05:16
Hi, Elizabeth.
There are different approaches to helping people, as well as differents goals in therapy. Often cognitive therapy is more focused on the relationship between thoughts (particularly negative thoughts) and feelings. So therapists will often work with changing or reframing experiences by changing the thoughts that patients have in response to them, for example. It's often a more skill-based and time-limited type of therapy, where results are expected more quickly and strategies can be offered and then implemented by the patient.
Psychodynamic therapy involves a longer, deeper exploration and working-through of issues that are of importance, often going in detail through past experiences and trying to understand and then over time to reexperience them within the context of therapy, with a better outcome and therefore a renewed sense of possibiity in life.
Sorry, I have to go now. Those are two sort of schematic differences in the two forms of therapy that mentioned, and I hope they clarify a bit.
best, Nadezda
Posted by Dinah on December 6, 2009, at 18:41:28
In reply to therapy question, posted by Elizabeth31 on December 5, 2009, at 21:05:16
Have you asked your therapist about it? Many cognitive behavior therapists are not strict purists and are flexible about being open to client needs. Others aren't so much. Are you happy with your therapist? Do you think you're getting what you need?
Looking back, I think my therapist started with CBT. While I found it helpful to learn the skills, it wasn't a good match for me overall I think. My therapist wasn't wed to the approach, and shifted to a less structured format.
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