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

What is Client-centered psychotherapy? Client-centered psychotherapy, also known as person-centered therapy, is a form of therapy developed by Carl Rogers in the 1950s. The goal of this therapy is to provide a non-judgmental and empathetic environment in which clients can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

In client-centered therapy, the therapist creates a supportive and accepting atmosphere that encourages the client to share their experiences openly. The therapist does not impose their own interpretations or solutions but instead helps the client to find their own answers.

The therapist listens actively and reflects back to the client what they have heard, often using paraphrasing or clarifying questions to help the client deepen their understanding of their experiences. The therapist also strives to understand the client’s point of view, to accept them without judgment, and to offer unconditional positive regard.

The focus of the therapy is on the client’s current experiences, rather than on past events or future goals. The therapist encourages the client to become more self-aware and to take responsibility for their own growth and change.

Overall, client-centered therapy emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the client’s active participation in the therapy process. It can be helpful for a wide range of psychological issues, including anxiety, depression, relationship problems, and self-esteem issues.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Co-counselling? Co-counselling is a self-directed approach to emotional healing and personal development that involves peer-to-peer counseling sessions between individuals. It is a form of non-professional counseling that emphasizes mutual support and self-help. In co-counselling, individuals take turns being the counselor and the client. The sessions are structured and typically involve a set amount of time for each role, with the counselor providing an empathetic and non-judgmental listening ear and the client discussing their feelings and experiences. The goal is to provide a safe space for individuals to explore their emotions and develop new coping skills, while also building trust and deepening connections with others. Co-counselling can be done in a one-on-one setting or in group sessions. It is based on the idea that individuals have the capacity to heal themselves and that by sharing their experiences and emotions with others, they can gain insights, perspective, and support. Co-counselling is not a substitute for professional therapy or mental health treatment, but it can be a valuable complement to these approaches. Shervan K Shahhian

What is Cognitive analytic therapy? Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) is a form of psychotherapy that combines elements of cognitive therapy, psychodynamic therapy, and relational therapy. It is a time-limited therapy that typically lasts between 16–24 sessions.

CAT is based on the premise that our early experiences and relationships shape our patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving. These patterns become ingrained and can cause difficulties in our present relationships and daily functioning. The aim of CAT is to identify and understand these patterns, and to help the client develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are more adaptive and lead to more fulfilling relationships and life experiences.

The therapy typically involves the following stages:

1. Reformulation: The therapist and client work together to develop a shared understanding of the client’s difficulties and patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving.
2. Recognition: The client learns to recognize when they are engaging in unhelpful patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, and to identify triggers for these patterns.
3. Revision: The client works with the therapist to develop new ways of thinking, feeling, and behaving that are more adaptive and aligned with their goals and values.
4. Termination: The therapy comes to an end, and the client is encouraged to continue to use the skills they have learned in their everyday life.
5. CAT has been found to be effective in treating a range of mental health difficulties, including depression, anxiety, personality disorders, and eating disorders.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Cognitive behavioral analysis system of psychotherapy? The Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) is a form of psychotherapy developed by James P. McCullough Jr. for the treatment of chronic depression. CBASP is based on the principle that chronic depression is often caused by a person’s early experiences of rejection, leading to a pattern of interpersonal behavior that reinforces negative thinking and behavior. The goal of CBASP is to help patients break this cycle by teaching them new interpersonal skills and helping them develop more positive thought patterns. The therapy involves a structured approach to analyzing and modifying the patient’s behavior and thinking patterns, with a focus on their interactions with other people. The therapist works with the patient to identify problematic behaviors and thinking patterns, and to develop more positive, effective ways of relating to others. CBASP typically involves a one-on-one therapy session that lasts between 60 and 90 minutes, and can be conducted over a period of several months or longer, depending on the severity of the patient’s depression. It has been found to be effective in the treatment of chronic depression and is often used in combination with medication.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)? Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychological treatment that is based on the concept that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are all interconnected and influence each other. The therapy aims to help individuals identify negative thought patterns and beliefs, and to learn new, more positive ways of thinking and responding to situations.

CBT typically involves a structured, short-term approach that is focused on specific goals and outcomes. During therapy sessions, individuals work with a trained therapist to identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to emotional distress and/or mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

CBT also includes various techniques and strategies that can help individuals change these negative patterns and behaviors, including cognitive restructuring, behavioral activation, exposure therapy, and relaxation techniques. Through these techniques, individuals can learn to better manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and improve their overall well-being. CBT is a widely researched and evidence-based therapy that has been shown to be effective for a range of mental health problems.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I)?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) is a type of psychotherapy that is designed to help individuals who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep at night. CBT-I is considered to be the most effective and long-lasting treatment for insomnia.

CBT-I typically involves a combination of behavioral and cognitive strategies that are tailored to the individual’s specific sleep problems. These strategies may include:

Sleep hygiene education: This involves teaching individuals about good sleep habits, such as keeping a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment.

Stimulus control therapy: This involves limiting the time spent in bed to only sleep and sex, and associating the bed with sleep rather than wakefulness.

Sleep restriction therapy: This involves limiting the amount of time spent in bed to the actual amount of time spent sleeping, in order to increase the efficiency of sleep.

Relaxation techniques: This involves teaching individuals relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, or visualization exercises, which can help to calm the mind and body before sleep.

Cognitive therapy: This involves addressing negative thoughts and beliefs that may be contributing to the individual’s sleep problems, and developing more positive and realistic thoughts about sleep.

CBT-I is typically delivered over several weeks, either in individual or group sessions, and may involve the use of sleep diaries to track progress. With consistent practice and commitment to the strategies learned in CBT-I, many individuals experience significant improvement in their sleep quality and overall well-being.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Collaborative therapy? Collaborative therapy is a therapeutic approach that emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship between the therapist and the client, as well as the client’s involvement in the therapeutic process. In collaborative therapy, the therapist works together with the client as a partner, rather than as an authority figure, to identify and address the client’s concerns and problems. The collaborative approach views the client as the expert on their own experiences, and the therapist’s role is to facilitate the client’s exploration and understanding of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist and client work collaboratively to set goals for therapy and develop strategies for achieving them. Collaborative therapy also involves an emphasis on cultural humility, recognizing that clients come from diverse backgrounds and that their experiences and values should be respected and incorporated into the therapeutic process. It is an integrative approach that draws from multiple theoretical orientations and techniques, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, narrative therapy, and solution-focused therapy.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Compassion focused therapy (CFT)? Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on cultivating compassion, both towards oneself and others. It was developed by Dr. Paul Gilbert, a clinical psychologist and researcher in the UK.

CFT draws on a variety of theoretical approaches, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), evolutionary psychology, and Buddhist psychology. It aims to help people develop a more compassionate and caring relationship with themselves and others, particularly when dealing with difficult emotions or challenging life situations.

CFT involves a number of techniques and strategies, including mindfulness, meditation, visualization, and compassionate imagery exercises. It also emphasizes the importance of developing a strong therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist, as well as building a sense of safety and trust.

CFT is often used to help people who struggle with shame, self-criticism, and self-blame, as well as those dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Concentrative movement therapy? Concentrative Movement Therapy (CMT) is a form of therapy that combines body movement and concentration to promote healing and self-awareness. CMT draws from principles of somatic psychology, mindfulness, and dance/movement therapy.

The therapy involves guided movement and breathing exercises that aim to help individuals connect with their inner selves and emotions. The movements are designed to promote relaxation, reduce stress and anxiety, increase body awareness, and improve self-expression.

CMT can be beneficial for individuals dealing with a range of mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, trauma, and stress-related disorders. It can also be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and psychodynamic therapy.

CMT is typically led by a trained therapist who can guide clients through the movements and help them process any emotions that may arise during the therapy session.

Shervan K Shahhian

What is Contemplative psychotherapy? Contemplative psychotherapy is an approach to therapy that integrates principles and practices from contemplative traditions, such as mindfulness meditation and yoga, with Western psychotherapeutic methods. The goal of contemplative psychotherapy is to help individuals develop a greater sense of self-awareness, cultivate more meaningful relationships, and find deeper meaning and purpose in their lives.

In contemplative psychotherapy, the therapist works with the client to create a safe and supportive environment in which the client can explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The therapist may use various techniques, such as guided meditation, breathing exercises, and body awareness practices, to help the client become more present and grounded in the moment.

Contemplative psychotherapy is based on the idea that many of the problems we experience in life are a result of our habitual patterns of thinking and behavior, which can be transformed through increased self-awareness and the cultivation of more positive qualities such as compassion and wisdom. This approach can be particularly effective for people dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, stress, addiction, and relationship problems. Shervan K Shahhian