Comparing Psychodynamic, Somatic, and Humanistic Therapies

This report provides an overview of three prominent psychotherapy approaches: psychodynamic therapy, somatic psychotherapy, and humanistic psychology. Psychodynamic therapy, rooted in the analysis of emotional and mental processes, explores early life experiences and unconscious thoughts to address disorders like depression and anxiety. Somatic psychotherapy, a holistic approach, emphasizes the connection between the mind and body, utilizing physical elements to heal past traumas and address issues such as addiction and anxiety. Humanistic psychology, focusing on the inherent goodness of individuals, offers techniques like self-actualization to treat a range of health issues, including eating disorders and low self-esteem. The report discusses the advantages, disadvantages, ethical implications, and the disorders each approach can help treat, providing a comprehensive understanding of these diverse therapeutic methods.

Treatments and
Therapies
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................2
Psychodynamic Therapy [1].................................................................................................................4
What does the approach involve?................................................................................................4
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?...................................................4
What disorders can the approach help?.......................................................................................5
What are the ethical implications of this approach?....................................................................5
Somatic Psychotherapy [2]...................................................................................................................5
What does the approach involve?................................................................................................5
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?...................................................5
What disorders can the approach help?.......................................................................................6
What are the ethical implications of this approach?....................................................................6
Humanistic Psychology [3]..................................................................................................................6
What does the approach involve?................................................................................................6
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?...................................................7
What disorders can the approach help?.......................................................................................7
What are the ethical implications of this approach?....................................................................7
References............................................................................................................................................8
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Psychotherapy approaches have grown in leaps and bounds over the past few years. There are so
many different types of psychotherapies. Some of these therapies are several decades old. For
example, the Rogerian Therapy (people centered therapy) is very old and there are newer ones
like Coherence Therapy. The human body requires several different types of therapies because of
its dynamic and unique nature. According to experts, therapies should be chosen with care for a
specific patient. Several factors should be taken into consideration while choosing a therapy.
These factors will decide if the therapy produces positive outcomes or not.
Here is a quick walk through three well known, effective psychotherapies.
PSYCHODYNAMIC THERAPY [1]
What does the approach involve?
One of the world’s most famous psychotherapies would be “Psychodynamic Therapy”. This is an
interpretation of the body’s emotional and mental processes. The therapy draws features from
many traditional methods. It is a simple and quick analysis of the mind. During the therapy,
doctors evaluate the patient’s early life experiences, emotions and thoughts. They gain a better
understanding of their patient. This helps them identify ways of avoiding and curing distress.
Psychodynamic Therapy helps in developing strong defense mechanisms. An intimate look into
the patient’s mind helps therapists identify patterns and strengths that can empower the person
dynamically. This is an ideal therapy for groups, couples, families and individuals.
By default, psychodynamic therapy takes between 25 and 30 sessions. It is a goal-oriented
treatment. On the other hand, there are special psychodynamic therapies that take more than two
years. To tackle memories, experiences and painful feelings, people develop many defense
strategies. They end up in rationalization, denial and repression. Psychodynamic therapists know
how to talk to such people. They encourage patients to bring out their fears, emotions and
desires. These are vulnerable feelings that should be tackled with lots of care. Psychodynamic
theory reveals that behavior is strongly influenced by unconscious thoughts.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
An interesting element in psychodynamic therapy would be the music therapy. This is a creative
and an innovative therapy that soothes the mind. With the help of music, therapists assess and
bond with patients. Even with heights of fear and anxiety, music can help you release stress and
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feel relaxed. The only drawback with psychodynamic therapy would be its complicated nature.
You need a skilled therapist to see positive results.
What disorders can the approach help?
Psychodynamic therapy is used to treat depression. It is a great tool against issues like anxiety
disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders and phobias. People who keep picking abusive
partners will find this therapy useful. They can break unconscious conflicts and associate freely.
What are the ethical implications of this approach?
Ethical issues are present in most psychological therapies. As a person comes into
psychodynamic therapy, doctors should evaluate if the patient is actually ready for therapy.
Likewise, the patient should have sufficient capacity to explore through their internal world! It is
up to the therapist to make sure all these questions are addressed for a safe journey.
SOMATIC PSYCHOTHERAPY [2]
What does the approach involve?
Somatic psychotherapy is a holistic approach. It is a special therapy that incorporates the
patient’s emotion, body, mind and spirit. This therapy encourages a smooth healing process. Key
proponents of this therapy include the person’s feelings, thoughts, beliefs and attitude. Indeed,
physical elements like posture, diet and exercise can be influential too. These factors can affect
the patient’s emotional state positively and negatively. Somatic psychotherapy is the biggest
division of somatic psychology. It revolves around mind-body connection. Therapists believe
that the body and mind has to be reviewed for therapeutic results. Both the body and mind should
work together for permanent growth and healing. Somatic psychotherapy has to be carried out in
the right environment and with proper interpersonal interactions. It should be accomplished in a
respectful and safe manner. Experienced somatic therapists know how to regulat the body and
mind positively. Somatic therapy theory clearly reveals that past trauma can be trapped inside the
body. It gets reflected in many forms. Some showcase muscular pain, facial expressions and
different forms of body language.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
Somatic psychotherapy is beneficial in many ways. One, it establishes a strong connection
between people. It makes patients self-aware and thankful. Participants of the therapy have better
senses to their own being. This brings down stress, physical battles and emotional concerns.
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Somatic psychotherapy is very useful in addressing a wide range of problems. Some people
approach these therapists to address emotional problems, reduce the risks of depression and
boost self-confidence. The therapy is very effective on those with borderline personality.
Somatic psychotherapy has few well known side effects. A lot of experts ponder if the therapy
sessions can be arousing, frightening and more-sexual. These are strong emotions that can affect
the patient adversely. For the treatment to be effective, these areas should be tackled properly.
What disorders can the approach help?
Somatic therapy helps people with past psychological traumas. Patients with instability in the
Autonomic Nervous System can recover with the help of somatic therapy. Few other physical
conditions that can be rectified would be addiction, depression, immune system dysfunction and
anxiety.
What are the ethical implications of this approach?
Professionally, the therapist has to make sure the patient doesn’t feel harmed or physically
influenced. They should not be sexually troubled too! Most of somatic therapies are repeated
applications of certain treatments. These treatments must not end the person’s wellbeing in
anyway. The therapist has to ensure on this.
HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY [3]
What does the approach involve?
Humanistic psychology revolves around the ground fact that people are good, at least innately!
This therapy depends on good intentions, ethical values and morality. It identifies forces that can
drive behavior. People are bound to undergo adverse psychological experiences when they
deviate from natural ways of life. Humanism is a collection of therapeutic techniques. It includes
self-actualization and the Rogerian therapy. Humanistic psychology has a history that dates back
to 1950s. It is known as a third force in psychology. Humanistic psychology depends and focuses
on a specific theory. It believes that focus on an individual is always effective and powerful than
focusing on an entire group of people. Likewise, the theory stresses on the need for subjective
reality. After all, subjective reality results in behavior. The therapy assumes that psychological,
behavioral and emotional issues are caused due to physical problems. Here, physical problems
can involve both the body and mind.
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?
Humanistic psychology follows a structured approach. It involves the following attributes:
Self concept
Free will
Unconditional positive regard for the patient
Fully functional thinking
Peaky experiences
Patient or person centered care
These are interesting areas of concern that can change a person’s emotional being. Self-
actualization is identified as a cornerstone in this therapy. Moving on, the therapy clearly stresses
on an inherent value of human beings and their need to maintain dignity to grow in competence
and self-respect. This approach has few drawbacks. It is quite difficult to record humanistic
features and variables. Qualitative data is important for making sound progress. Unfortunately,
therapists find it challenging to record qualitative data of patients. In fact, they find it very
difficult to company different sets of qualitative data.
What disorders can the approach help?
Humanistic or person centered therapy helps in exploring and curing a wide range of health
issues. This includes panic disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression, low self-
esteem and body image issues. Some relationship issues can be dealt using humanistic therapy
too.
What are the ethical implications of this approach?
At all times, the therapist has to protect the patient’s views and morals. There should goals to
achieve a supportive global community. In the long run, the patient must not feel like their
personal life is interfered drastically.
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REFERENCES
Knekt, P., Lindfors, O., Härkänen, T., Välikoski, M., Virtala, E., et al. (2008). Randomized trial
on the effectiveness of long- and short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and solution-focused
therapy on psychiatric symptoms during a 3-year follow-up. Psychological Medicine, 38(5), 689-
703. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S003329170700164X
Sammons, A. (n.d.). The humanistic approach: The basics. Retrieved from
http://www.psychlotron.org.uk/newResources/approaches/AS_AQB_approaches_HumanisticBas
ics.pdf
van der Hart, O., Brown, P., & van der Kolk, B.A. (1989). Pierre Janet's treatment of post-
traumatic stress. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 2(4), 1-11. Retrieved from
http://www.onnovdhart.nl/articles/treatmentptsd.pdf
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