Psychotherapy in which an experienced therapist—a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or member of the clergy—works with a group of patients or relatives is called group therapy. The process uses the interaction of group members to benefit each member of the group. Behavioral modification through group interaction and support can be used to change eating behaviours, which can lead to a reduction in weight. Support groups are available to assist patients and families in dealing with cancer, alcoholism, abuse, bereavement, and other crises.

Family and systemic therapy

General systems theories emerged in the biological and social sciences following World War II. This led to the conceptualization of the individual as an interdependent part of larger social systems. In psychotherapy, systemic therapy does not focus on how problems start, but rather on how the dynamics of relationships influence the problem. The therapist’s goal is to alter the dynamics of the relationships rather than to focus only on the behaviour or internal dynamics of individuals. For example, if a child is having temper tantrums, attention would be given to the stage of family development, the quality of communication between its members, and the clarity and flexibility of family roles.

Family counseling brings the entire family together to discuss specific problems of one or more family members, including adolescent discipline problems, marital discord, drug abuse, or relationship problems in families that can arise from remarriage.

Psychodynamic therapies

Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud held that all behaviour is influenced by unconscious motivations and conflicts. Personality characteristics are thought to be shaped from the earliest childhood experiences. Psychological defenses are seen mainly as unconscious coping responses, the purpose of which is to resolve the conflicts that arise between basic desires and the constraints of external reality. Emotional problems are seen as maladaptive responses to these unconscious conflicts.

Psychodynamic therapies emphasize that insight is essential to lasting change. Insight means understanding how a problem emerged and what defensive purpose it serves. A classic form of psychodynamic therapy is psychoanalysis, in which the patient engages in free association of ideas and feelings and the psychoanalyst offers interpretations as to the meaning of the associations. Another form is brief, dynamic psychotherapy, in which the clinician makes recommendations based on an understanding of the situation and the reasons for resisting change.

Psychotherapy, the use of mental rather than physical means to achieve behavioral or attitudinal change, employs suggestion, persuasion, education, reassurance, insight, and hypnosis. Supportive psychotherapy is used to reinforce a patient’s defenses, but avoids the intensive probing of emotional conflicts employed in psychoanalysis and intensive psychotherapy.

Experienced clinicians usually draw on various counseling theories and techniques to design interventions that fit a patient’s problem. The format of therapy (e.g., individual, couple, family, or group) will vary with each patient. Many patients respond best to a combination approach. Depression, for example, is frequently alleviated by medication and cognitive-behaviour therapy. There is growing interest in primary prevention to increase the coping abilities and resilience of children, families, and adults who are at risk for mental health problems.