What are the different types of psychotherapy? On what basis are they classified?
Psychotherapy is not a homogenous treatment method; there are about 400 different types. However, they are broadly classified into three major groups: psychodynamic, behaviour, and existential psychotherapies. In chronological order, psychodynamic therapy emerged first, followed by behaviour therapy, and finally existential therapies, which are also called the third force.
The classification of these psychotherapies is primarily based on one main parameter: what is the cause that has led to the psychological problem. Each therapy views the root cause of distress differently.
According to psychodynamic therapy, the cause of psychological problems lies in intrapsychic conflicts. These are the conflicts that are present within the psyche of the person.
Behaviour therapies postulate that psychological problems arise due to faulty learning of behaviours and cognitions. This approach focuses on the behaviour and thoughts of the client in the present, correcting faulty patterns without reliving the past.
Existential therapies postulate that the root cause of psychological problems is the questions about the meaning of one’s life and existence.
Explanation
The answer identifies the three broad groups of psychotherapy (psychodynamic, behaviour, existential) and explains the chronological order of their emergence. It then details the basis of classification, which is the perceived cause of the psychological problem, and elaborates on how each of the three therapies views this cause based on the textbook context.