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

Positive psychotherapy (PPT)

Positive psychotherapy (PPT) is an approach to psychotherapy that focuses on enhancing well-being and promoting positive emotions, personal strengths, and resilience. It is based on the principles of positive psychology, which is a branch of psychology that emphasizes the study and cultivation of positive aspects of human functioning.

Positive psychotherapy aims to help individuals develop a positive outlook on life, improve their self-esteem, and build healthy relationships. It emphasizes the importance of positive emotions such as joy, gratitude, hope, and love in enhancing overall well-being.

PPT incorporates various therapeutic techniques and interventions to facilitate positive change. Some common strategies used in positive psychotherapy include:

Identifying and utilizing personal strengths: The therapist helps individuals identify their unique strengths and encourages them to utilize these strengths in their daily lives to achieve their goals.

Cultivating positive emotions: The therapy focuses on increasing positive emotions and experiences, such as teaching gratitude exercises, encouraging acts of kindness, and promoting mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

Promoting optimism and hope: The therapist helps individuals develop a positive and optimistic mindset by challenging negative thoughts and beliefs, promoting positive thinking patterns, and fostering a sense of hope for the future.

Enhancing self-esteem and self-efficacy: Positive psychotherapy aims to improve self-esteem and self-confidence by exploring personal values, setting achievable goals, and providing support and encouragement.

Building resilience: The therapy aims to enhance resilience, the ability to bounce back from adversity, by teaching coping skills, problem-solving strategies, and stress management techniques.

Positive psychotherapy can be used to address a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. It is often implemented in individual or group therapy sessions and can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches to provide a holistic treatment approach.

It is important to note that positive psychotherapy does not ignore or dismiss negative emotions or problems but rather seeks to balance the focus on strengths and positive aspects of individuals’ lives alongside addressing challenges and difficulties.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Positive psychology?

Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the study of human well-being, flourishing, and optimal functioning. It is concerned with understanding and promoting positive aspects of human experience, such as happiness, fulfillment, resilience, gratitude, and personal strengths.

Positive psychology emerged in the late 1990s as a response to the prevailing emphasis on pathology and mental illness within psychology. Instead of primarily focusing on psychological disorders and their treatment, positive psychology seeks to identify the factors that contribute to a meaningful and fulfilling life.

The field of positive psychology explores various topics and constructs, including positive emotions, positive character traits, positive relationships, positive institutions, and the cultivation of personal strengths. It aims to enhance individuals’ quality of life and overall well-being by studying and promoting the factors that lead to positive mental health and optimal functioning.

Positive psychologists often conduct research to better understand the factors that contribute to happiness and well-being. They also develop interventions and strategies to help individuals cultivate positive emotions, foster healthy relationships, build resilience, discover and utilize their strengths, and find meaning and purpose in life.

Positive psychology is not about dismissing or ignoring negative experiences or emotions. Rather, it acknowledges the importance of addressing and understanding the challenges individuals face while also emphasizing the potential for growth, happiness, and well-being. By focusing on positive aspects of human psychology, positive psychology offers a balanced and comprehensive approach to understanding human flourishing.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Poetry therapy?

Poetry therapy is a form of expressive therapy that involves the use of poetry and other forms of literature to promote emotional and mental health. It is a type of therapeutic intervention that utilizes the power of language and creative expression to help individuals explore and understand their emotions, experiences, and inner thoughts.

Poetry therapy can involve a range of activities, including reading and discussing poems, writing original poetry, and engaging in group discussions or workshops focused on poetry and literature. It can be used to address a variety of emotional and psychological issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, trauma, and self-esteem issues.

The goal of poetry therapy is to help individuals gain insight into their emotions and experiences, develop self-awareness and self-expression, and find new ways to cope with challenges and stressors. It is often used in conjunction with other forms of therapy, such as talk therapy or cognitive-behavioral therapy, to enhance the overall effectiveness of treatment.

Shervan K Shahhian

Play therapy is a form of therapy that uses play as a means of communication and expression for children. It is based on the understanding that play is a natural and fundamental way in which children learn about the world around them, express themselves, and work through difficult emotions and experiences.

During play therapy sessions, a trained therapist provides a safe and structured environment where children can engage in play activities that are carefully selected to address their specific needs and goals. The therapist may use a variety of toys, games, and art materials to facilitate the child’s exploration and expression of emotions, thoughts, and behaviors.

Play therapy can be used to address a wide range of issues that may affect children, such as behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, trauma, grief and loss, and social skills deficits. It can also be used to support children with developmental or learning disabilities, as well as those who have experienced abuse or neglect.

Overall, play therapy is a powerful tool for helping children to feel heard, validated, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges in a healthy and adaptive way.

Shervan K Shahhian

Person-centered therapy, also known as client-centered therapy, is a humanistic approach to psychotherapy that emphasizes the individual’s unique experiences, values, and personal growth. This therapy was developed by Carl Rogers in the 1950s, and it focuses on the belief that individuals have within themselves the potential for personal growth and healing.

In person-centered therapy, the therapist provides an environment that is empathetic, non-judgmental, and understanding, allowing the client to feel safe and comfortable in exploring their emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The therapist helps the client to clarify their own feelings and values, and encourages them to make their own decisions and find their own solutions to problems.

Person-centered therapy is based on the idea that people are inherently good and have the capacity for self-awareness and self-growth. The therapist’s role is to facilitate this process by providing a safe and supportive environment, listening actively, and helping the client to develop their own insights and understanding. The focus is on the client’s experience and their own unique perspective rather than on the therapist’s interpretation or diagnosis.

Shervan K Shahhian

Pastoral counseling is a form of therapy that combines psychological counseling with spiritual guidance and support. It is typically provided by trained clergy members, such as pastors, rabbis, imams, or priests, who have received specialized training in counseling and psychotherapy.

The aim of pastoral counseling is to help individuals deal with a wide range of personal and emotional issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, marital and family problems, addiction, and other challenges, in a manner that respects their religious and spiritual beliefs.

Pastoral counselors often use a range of techniques and approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, and other evidence-based therapeutic methods, as well as prayer, meditation, and other spiritual practices.

Overall, pastoral counseling seeks to address the whole person, including their emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs, in a compassionate and empathetic manner that honors their faith and values.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parent Management Training (PMT) is a type of behavioral therapy that focuses on improving the relationship between parents and children, and addressing problematic behavior in children. PMT is based on the premise that parents play a crucial role in shaping their children’s behavior and that by learning effective parenting skills, parents can improve their children’s behavior and overall well-being.

PMT typically involves a series of sessions with a therapist who helps parents develop skills in areas such as positive reinforcement, communication, problem-solving, and discipline. Parents may learn specific techniques for managing challenging behaviors, such as tantrums, defiance, and aggression.

PMT is often used to treat children with behavioral problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). However, it can be beneficial for all parents who want to improve their parenting skills and strengthen their relationship with their children.

Overall, PMT is a collaborative and empowering approach that helps parents become more confident and effective in managing their children’s behavior.

Shervan K Shahhian

Parent-infant psychotherapy is a type of therapeutic intervention that focuses on improving the relationship between a parent or caregiver and their infant. It is a form of psychotherapy that recognizes the critical role that early relationships play in shaping a child’s development and emotional well-being.

The primary goal of parent-infant psychotherapy is to strengthen the attachment bond between the parent and the infant. This is achieved through various therapeutic techniques, such as play therapy, talk therapy, and observation of the parent-child interactions. The therapist helps the parent to identify and respond appropriately to the needs of their infant, which in turn helps to foster a secure attachment relationship.

Parent-infant psychotherapy can be used to address a range of issues that may be affecting the parent-child relationship, including postpartum depression, anxiety, trauma, and stress. It is typically delivered by a trained mental health professional, such as a licensed clinical social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist, who has specialized training in working with infants and young children. The therapy may involve individual sessions with the parent or caregiver, as well as joint sessions with the parent and infant together.

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) is a form of therapy that focuses on improving the relationship between a parent and their child while addressing behavioral and emotional difficulties in the child. It is typically used with young children (ages 2-7) who are experiencing behavioral problems such as defiance, aggression, and temper tantrums.

In PCIT, a therapist works with both the parent and child together. The therapist coaches the parent in specific skills to improve communication, increase positive reinforcement, and set clear limits with their child. The therapist also provides real-time feedback and guidance to the parent during interactions with the child.

PCIT typically consists of two stages: the child-directed interaction (CDI) phase and the parent-directed interaction (PDI) phase. During the CDI phase, the therapist guides the parent in playing with their child in a way that encourages positive behaviors and strengthens the parent-child bond. During the PDI phase, the therapist guides the parent in managing their child’s behavior and setting appropriate limits.

PCIT has been shown to be effective in improving behavior problems in children and strengthening parent-child relationships. It can be conducted in-person or via telehealth.

Shervan K Shahhian

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Orthodox psychotherapy

Orthodox psychotherapy is a form of psychotherapy that integrates Orthodox Christian spirituality and theology into the therapeutic process. It aims to help individuals achieve spiritual, emotional, and psychological healing through a combination of spiritual practices, such as prayer, confession, and communion, as well as psychological techniques.

This approach views the human person as a unity of body, mind, and spirit and believes that emotional and psychological problems can have spiritual roots. Therefore, the therapist in this approach works with the individual to help them identify and address spiritual obstacles that may be contributing to their emotional or psychological distress.

Orthodox psychotherapy is based on the teachings of the Orthodox Church and draws on the works of early Christian writers, such as St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil the Great, and St. Gregory the Theologian. The therapy is conducted by trained Orthodox Christian therapists who have a deep understanding of the Orthodox faith and its practices.

The ultimate goal of Orthodox psychotherapy is to help individuals achieve a deeper relationship with God and live a more fulfilling and meaningful life in accordance with Orthodox Christian teachings.

Shervan K Shahhian