There are a lot of attempts to define psychotherapy. But a short version would be of advantage for the field. In our paper "Der Psychotherapeut als Scientist-Practitioner - Vom Bachelor und Master über das 1. und 2. Staatsexamen zur Approbation und sozialrechtlichen Zulassung) we tried to define it either as "psychological treatment of any disorder / disease" or alternatively as "treatment of mental disorders". Both ways contain advantages and problems. The first one for example has the problem of overlapping with some fields of medicine, especially psychosomatic medicine. And the second would include the whole discipline of psychiatry.
What do you think is best? Is it possible to combine our two definitions? Do you have alternative or better (short) definitions?
Psyshotherapy is strengthening the ego by developing sufficient self-awareness to remove the need for defenses.
Psychotherapy is engaging the client in a relationship that strengthens and encourages resolve to make changes that will help reach the client's goals.
Strotzka once defined:
„Psychotherapie ist ein bewusster und geplanter interaktioneller Prozess zur Beeinflussung von Verhaltensstörungen und Leidenszuständen, die in einem Konsensus (möglichst zwischen Patient, Therapeut und Bezugsgruppe) für behandlungsbedürftig gehalten werden, mit psychologischen Mitteln (durch Kommunikation) meist verbal aber auch averbal, in Richtung auf ein definiertes, nach Möglichkeit gemeinsam erarbeitetes Ziel (Symptomminimalisierung und/oder Strukturänderung der Persönlichkeit) mittels lehrbarer Techniken auf der Basis einer Theorie des normalen und pathologischen Verhaltens.“
Hans Strotzka (Hrsg.): Psychotherapie. München 1978, 2. Auflage, S. 4
see: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapie,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychotherapy
Psychotherapy is the process of identifying self-deception and its motivation.
Treating a mental disorder by addressing and correcting the psychological make up of the patient
There is no nessecary to change this international definition includig behavioral an analytical bag round
Meeting of 2 minds with the intention of growth of one for sure
Psychotherapy is meeting of 2 minds with an intention of growth for the client
Thanks a lot for your participation.
Gerhard, I do not think it is necessary to change the international definition. But as we can see here, there are a lot of different approaches in the international field. I like that one of Howard, that it is identifying self deception ... , and the others too.
Michael, the Strotzka definition in my opinion has some problems. If psychotherapy is always communication Bibliotherapy isn't psychotherapy. And if we follow the part "mittels lehrbarer Techniken auf der Basis einer Theorie des normalen und pathologischen Verhaltens (fast translation "by teachable techniques on the basis of a theory of normal and pathological Behavior")" we also face some problems. Because in psychotherapy research the contribution of techniques to outcome is an ongoing and not solved problem, as I am sure you know.
I would be glad to collect some more definitions or to get some critical comments.
Good question. My gut response is that I see psychotherapy as a task of assisting people to live their lives in preferred ways. For me, at the end of the day ‘preferred’ means to be in line with that person’s values (which might not line up with mine). I realise that this idea could be made to unravel (e.g., what if they ‘prefer’ abuse or controlling others). But there are two issues here. First, I think an intrinsic part of the process is to look at those preferences with a critical eye as well. We – therapists – are not just blind facilitators, but people too with our own values and commitments that could be challenged by some clients. So we engage in dialogue around such issues. And second, I like the idea that people have the right to live their lives according to what matters most to them – I don’t decide that, and I’m not a cultural or ethical policeman. I think we need a definition that makes room for respecting diversity (different values, ethics, and ways of being), and also one that gets us away from thinking of those with whom we work as ‘diseased’, ‘damaged’, disordered or in need of correction – as if they are somehow systematically different kinds of beings than the rest of us.
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