Preventive Psychotherapy differs from Traditional Psychotherapy:

Preventive psychotherapy differs from traditional psychotherapy mainly in its focus, goals, and timing.

 Here’s a clear comparison:

Aspect Preventive Psychotherapy Traditional Psychotherapy Primary Focus Prevention of future mental health problems and strengthening resilience Treatment of existing psychological disorders or distress Timing Provided before serious symptoms develop — aims to stop problems from forming or worsening Provided after symptoms or dysfunction appear Goals Build coping skills, emotional awareness, and adaptive behaviors to handle stressors early Reduce symptoms, resolve conflicts, and promote recovery Target Group Individuals at risk (e.g., high stress, trauma exposure, family history of mental illness)Individuals already experiencing psychological issues Approach Emphasizes education, early intervention, lifestyle modification, and emotional skill-building Emphasizes insight, behavioral change, and deeper therapeutic work Outcome Reduced incidence of mental illness; increased resilience and well-being Symptom relief, improved functioning, and healing from distress.

Example:

• Preventive psychotherapy might teach stress management and emotional regulation to college students before exams to prevent anxiety disorders.
• Traditional psychotherapy might treat someone already diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder.

Shervan K Shahhian