Author Archives: Shervan K Shahhian, LIBERTY PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, The Most Comprehensive Online Library Regarding Mental Health, Psychology and Parapsychology in the World.

What is Systematic desensitization?

What is Systematic desensitization? Systematic desensitization is a therapeutic technique used in psychology to treat phobias, anxieties, and other fear-related disorders. It was developed by psychologist Joseph Wolpe in the 1950s as a form of behavioral therapy. The goal of systematic desensitization is to help individuals overcome their fears and anxieties by gradually exposing them to the feared object or situation in a controlled and safe manner. The technique is based on the principle of classical conditioning, specifically counterconditioning, where a new response is learned to replace an undesirable response. It involves three main steps:

1. Relaxation training: The individual is taught various relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or meditation. The goal is to induce a state of relaxation that can counteract the anxiety response.
2. Creating an anxiety hierarchy: The person and therapist work together to develop a hierarchy of feared situations or stimuli. The hierarchy lists the various scenarios related to the fear, starting from the least anxiety-provoking to the most anxiety-provoking. For example, for someone with a fear of flying, the hierarchy might include looking at pictures of planes, going to an airport, boarding a plane, and eventually taking a flight.
3. Systematic exposure: Starting from the least anxiety-provoking situation, the individual is exposed to the feared stimuli while maintaining a relaxed state. This exposure can occur in imagination (imaginal exposure) or in real-life (in vivo exposure). The individual progresses through the hierarchy, gradually facing more anxiety-provoking situations as they become more comfortable and less anxious. The process continues until the fear response is significantly reduced or eliminated.

The underlying principle of systematic desensitization is that by repeatedly associating relaxation with the feared stimuli or situations, the fear response becomes replaced by a relaxed response. Through this process, individuals can learn to cope with and eventually overcome their phobias or anxieties. It’s important to note that systematic desensitization should be conducted under the guidance of a trained therapist who can ensure the process is tailored to the individual’s specific needs and provide support throughout the treatment.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Supportive psychotherapy?

Supportive psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that aims to provide emotional support and encouragement to individuals who are facing various challenges in their lives. It is a type of talk therapy that focuses on building a trusting and empathetic relationship between the therapist and the client. The primary goal of supportive psychotherapy is to enhance the individual’s overall well-being and help them cope with difficulties by fostering a sense of understanding, validation, and comfort.

Supportive psychotherapy typically involves regular meetings between the client and therapist, where the client can freely express their thoughts, feelings, and concerns. The therapist actively listens, offers empathy, and provides validation and reassurance. They may also offer practical advice, problem-solving strategies, and guidance to help the client navigate their challenges more effectively.

This therapeutic approach is often used to support individuals dealing with various issues such as grief, relationship problems, major life transitions, medical illnesses, and stress-related disorders. It can also be beneficial for individuals with mild to moderate mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

Supportive psychotherapy differs from other forms of therapy, such as psychodynamic or cognitive-behavioral therapy, in that it primarily focuses on emotional support and the therapeutic relationship, rather than delving deeply into unconscious conflicts or restructuring negative thought patterns. The emphasis is on providing a safe and nonjudgmental space where the client can feel heard, understood, and validated.

Overall, supportive psychotherapy aims to alleviate distress, promote self-esteem and resilience, and assist individuals in developing healthy coping mechanisms and strategies to enhance their overall functioning. It is often used as a standalone treatment or as a complementary approach alongside other interventions, depending on the individual’s needs and therapeutic goals.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Superhero therapy?

Superhero therapy is an innovative approach to psychotherapy that incorporates elements of popular culture, particularly superheroes, into the therapeutic process. It was developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Janina Scarlet, who recognized the therapeutic potential of superheroes and their stories.

Superhero therapy draws on the idea that superheroes often face challenges, adversity, and trauma, just like real-life individuals. By using superhero narratives, symbols, and characters, therapists can help clients explore their own experiences, emotions, and personal strengths in a relatable and engaging way.

The therapy may involve discussing specific superhero characters and their struggles, identifying with their experiences, and exploring how their stories parallel the client’s own life. Clients can also create their own superhero persona, complete with a unique backstory and set of abilities, which can serve as a metaphor for their personal growth and resilience.

The key goal of superhero therapy is to empower clients and help them develop resilience, self-compassion, and a sense of personal agency. By tapping into the inspiring and heroic qualities portrayed by superheroes, individuals can find motivation to overcome their challenges, confront their fears, and build a positive sense of self.

Superhero therapy has been applied in various therapeutic contexts, including individual counseling, group therapy, and even workshops at conventions or community events. It can be particularly effective for individuals, including children and adolescents, who have a strong connection to superhero narratives and find them meaningful.

It’s important to note that superhero therapy is just one approach among many in the field of psychotherapy, and its effectiveness may vary depending on individual preferences and needs. Consulting with a licensed mental health professional is recommended to determine the most appropriate therapeutic approach for an individual’s specific situation.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Structural family therapy?

Structural family therapy (SFT) is a therapeutic approach developed by Salvador Minuchin in the 1960s. It is based on the premise that a person’s difficulties are not solely an individual issue but are also influenced by the interactions and patterns within their family system. SFT focuses on identifying and modifying unhealthy family dynamics to bring about positive change.

The central concept of structural family therapy is the notion of family structure, which refers to the organization of relationships, roles, and boundaries within a family. The therapist assesses the family’s structure by observing interactions during therapy sessions and gathering information about family history and dynamics. They pay attention to various elements, such as hierarchies, alliances, coalitions, and boundaries.

The therapist aims to help the family members develop healthier and more functional ways of relating to one another. This is achieved through a collaborative and active therapeutic process, where the therapist takes an active role in orchestrating interventions to restructure the family system. The therapist may use techniques such as joining (establishing rapport with family members), enactment (having family members reenact problematic interactions), and boundary making (clarifying and adjusting boundaries within the family).

SFT also emphasizes the importance of subsystems within the family, such as spousal, parent-child, and sibling relationships. The therapist works with these subsystems to improve communication, strengthen relationships, and foster healthier patterns of interaction. Additionally, SFT often addresses external factors that impact the family system, such as school or work stressors.

Overall, structural family therapy aims to promote adaptive and functional family dynamics, enhance communication, and increase the family’s ability to resolve conflicts. By modifying the family’s structure, SFT seeks to create lasting changes that improve the overall well-being and functioning of all family members.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Strategic family therapy?

Strategic family therapy is an approach to psychotherapy that focuses on the interactions and patterns within a family system. It was developed in the 1950s and 1960s by theorists and practitioners such as Jay Haley, Milton Erickson, and Don Jackson.

The central premise of strategic family therapy is that individuals’ behavior and psychological issues are influenced by their interactions within the family system. This approach considers the family as a complex network of relationships, where changes in one part of the system can have ripple effects throughout.

Strategic family therapists often view symptoms or problematic behaviors as serving a purpose within the family system. They believe that individuals develop these symptoms as strategies to cope with dysfunctional patterns or maintain equilibrium within the family. The therapist’s goal is to understand the underlying dynamics and help the family create new, healthier patterns of interaction.

Key principles of strategic family therapy include:

Focus on the here and now: Strategic family therapists concentrate on the immediate problem or issue that brings the family to therapy, rather than exploring past events in great detail.

Brief and goal-oriented: This approach is typically time-limited, aiming to produce change within a relatively short period. Therapists collaborate with the family to set specific, achievable goals and work toward them.

Use of interventions: Therapists employ a range of techniques to disrupt dysfunctional patterns and facilitate change. These interventions might involve prescribing tasks or behaviors for family members to try outside of therapy sessions.

Strategic positioning: Therapists strategically position themselves within the family system to observe and influence interactions. They may take on a more active and directive role to challenge established patterns and encourage new ways of relating.

Relational hierarchy: Strategic family therapists often pay attention to power dynamics and hierarchies within the family. They may work to create or restore a healthier balance of power and authority among family members.

Overall, strategic family therapy seeks to bring about change by altering the interactions and patterns within a family system. It aims to help families develop more functional and adaptive ways of relating to one another, thereby alleviating individual symptoms and improving overall family functioning.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Somatic psychology?

Somatic psychology is a field that combines traditional psychology with an understanding of the mind-body connection. It focuses on the ways in which psychological experiences and emotional states are expressed and stored in the body. The term “somatic” refers to the body, and somatic psychology emphasizes the importance of bodily sensations, movements, and physical experiences in the therapeutic process.

Somatic psychology recognizes that our bodies hold valuable information and wisdom related to our emotions, memories, and overall well-being. It acknowledges that psychological and emotional experiences can manifest as physical sensations and symptoms in the body. By working with the body’s sensations and movements, somatic psychology aims to access and address the underlying emotional and psychological issues.

Practitioners of somatic psychology use various approaches and techniques to facilitate healing and personal growth. These may include body-centered therapies, such as somatic experiencing, sensorimotor psychotherapy, and body psychotherapy. These approaches often involve practices like breathwork, mindfulness, movement exercises, and body awareness techniques.

The goal of somatic psychology is to help individuals develop a deeper connection with their bodies, become more aware of their physical sensations and emotions, and integrate their psychological and physical experiences. By working with both the mind and body, somatic psychology can support individuals in resolving trauma, reducing stress, improving self-regulation, and enhancing overall well-being.

Shervan K Shahhian

Somatic Experiencing (SE) is a therapeutic approach developed by Dr. Peter A. Levine to address trauma and its effects on the body and nervous system. It is grounded in the understanding that trauma is not just a psychological experience but also a physiological one that can get stored in the body.

SE recognizes that when an individual experiences a traumatic event or overwhelming stress, their body’s natural response may become dysregulated. This dysregulation can manifest as physical sensations, emotions, and behaviors that are connected to the traumatic experience.

The goal of Somatic Experiencing is to help individuals release and resolve the trapped energy and nervous system dysregulation associated with trauma. This is done by focusing on bodily sensations and promoting the renegotiation of the trauma response in a safe and controlled way. The therapist guides the individual to become more aware of their body sensations, allowing them to gradually and safely experience and discharge the physical and emotional energy associated with the trauma.

Somatic Experiencing does not rely heavily on recounting or reliving the traumatic event through talking. Instead, it emphasizes tracking bodily sensations and impulses, promoting a gradual discharge of accumulated stress and tension. By supporting the individual’s natural self-regulating capacity, SE aims to restore a sense of safety, resilience, and empowerment.

SE has been used effectively in the treatment of various trauma-related conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other stress-related disorders. It is typically conducted by licensed therapists who have received specific training in Somatic Experiencing techniques.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Solution focused brief therapy?

Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) is a goal-oriented, brief psychotherapy approach that focuses on finding solutions to the client’s problems rather than dwelling on the problems themselves. It is a collaborative and strength-based therapeutic approach that emphasizes the client’s strengths, resources, and abilities to create positive change in their lives.

SFBT was developed in the 1980s by social workers Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It is influenced by systems theory, constructivist philosophy, and the work of Milton Erickson and the Mental Research Institute (MRI) in Palo Alto, California.

Key principles of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy include:

Goal-oriented: SFBT focuses on defining clear and specific goals that the client wants to achieve. The therapist helps the client identify their preferred future and explore steps to move toward it.

Solution-focused: Instead of analyzing the problem in depth, SFBT focuses on identifying exceptions to the problem and exploring times when the problem is less intense or not present. This approach helps the client discover their own solutions and strengths.

Brief and time-limited: SFBT is designed to be a short-term therapy approach. The therapist and client work together to achieve change within a limited number of sessions, typically ranging from 3 to 12 sessions.

Collaboration: SFBT emphasizes a collaborative and equal partnership between the therapist and the client. The therapist guides the conversation, asks powerful questions, and helps the client generate ideas and solutions.

Focus on strengths and resources: SFBT assumes that the client possesses strengths, abilities, and resources to overcome their difficulties. The therapist helps the client identify and utilize these strengths to achieve their goals.

Small steps and incremental change: SFBT recognizes that even small changes can lead to significant improvements. The therapist helps the client break down their goals into manageable steps and encourages them to take action.

SFBT can be applied to various areas, including individual therapy, couples therapy, family therapy, and organizational settings. It has been used effectively in diverse contexts such as mental health, addiction, relationship issues, school counseling, and workplace challenges.

Overall, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy offers a practical and positive approach that helps clients focus on solutions, build on their strengths, and create meaningful change in their lives.

Shervan K Shahhian

Social therapy is a form of therapeutic intervention that focuses on improving social functioning, interpersonal relationships, and overall social skills. It is designed to help individuals develop and enhance their ability to interact effectively with others in various social contexts.

Social therapy is typically employed to assist individuals who may experience difficulties in areas such as communication, assertiveness, social anxiety, self-confidence, and forming and maintaining relationships. It aims to address social and emotional challenges by providing a supportive and structured environment where individuals can learn and practice new social skills.

The specific techniques and approaches used in social therapy can vary depending on the therapist and the needs of the individual. Common methods may include role-playing, social skills training, group therapy, and cognitive-behavioral techniques. The therapy sessions often involve discussions, feedback, and experiential exercises to facilitate learning and growth in social interactions.

Social therapy can be beneficial for a wide range of individuals, including those with social anxiety disorder, autism spectrum disorder, interpersonal difficulties, or individuals who simply wish to enhance their social skills and build more meaningful connections. By addressing social challenges, social therapy aims to improve overall well-being and enhance the quality of relationships and social experiences.

Shervan K Shahhian

What Intimacy psychotherapy?

Intimacy psychotherapy, also known as couples therapy or relationship therapy, is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on improving the quality and functioning of intimate relationships. It typically involves a trained therapist working with a couple or partners to address and resolve issues or difficulties they may be experiencing in their relationship.

The goals of intimacy psychotherapy vary depending on the specific needs and concerns of the couple, but some common objectives include:

Communication improvement: Couples therapy often emphasizes enhancing communication skills within the relationship. This includes learning to express needs, feelings, and concerns more effectively and to listen actively to one another.

Conflict resolution: Many couples face conflicts or disagreements, and therapy can help them develop healthy ways to address and resolve these issues. Couples learn strategies for managing conflicts constructively and finding mutually satisfactory solutions.

Rebuilding trust: Trust is crucial in intimate relationships, and therapy can help couples rebuild trust that may have been damaged due to infidelity, breaches of boundaries, or other reasons. Therapists assist partners in understanding the factors that contribute to trust and guide them in the process of rebuilding it.

Enhancing emotional connection: Intimacy psychotherapy aims to deepen emotional bonds between partners. Therapists help couples explore their emotional needs, develop empathy for each other, and foster a sense of closeness and connection.

Increasing intimacy and sexual satisfaction: Couples therapy may address issues related to intimacy and sexuality within the relationship. Therapists help partners communicate their desires, explore any barriers or challenges, and work towards enhancing sexual and emotional intimacy.

During therapy sessions, couples typically engage in discussions facilitated by the therapist. The therapist may also assign exercises or homework to practice new skills outside of therapy sessions. The duration of therapy varies depending on the complexity of the issues and the progress made, ranging from a few sessions to several months.

It’s important to note that intimacy psychotherapy is not limited to romantic couples. It can also be beneficial for other types of relationships, such as parent-child relationships, friendships, or family relationships, where the focus is on improving emotional connections and resolving conflicts.

Shervan K Shahhian