Theoretical orientations

In the field of psychotherapy, there are four main schools of thought, known as “theoretical orientations.” These are four different ways of looking at psychotherapy, and they are equally valid and effective.

Most psychologists and psychotherapists draw their inspiration from the principles of these different orientations. Don't hesitate to ask the psychologist about this at your first meeting.

• The cognitive-behavioural orientation is based on the idea that psychological difficulties are linked to inappropriate thoughts or behaviours. The psychotherapist who adopts this approach uses various techniques and strategies to help his or her client modify behaviours, thoughts and emotions.
   
• According to the existential-humanist orientation, all human beings possess the necessary resources for self-fulfilment. The humanist psychotherapist seeks to help the person become aware of his or her difficulties, understand them and make his or her own decisions, with the aim of acting according to who he or she is and what he or she feels.
   
• Strongly influenced by psychoanalysis and drawing on the concept of the unconscious, the psychodynamic-analytical orientation establishes a link between the client's current difficulties, his or her past experiences and the repressed, unresolved conflicts of his or her personal history. The client is made aware of the influence of these conflicts on his or her functioning in order to understand them and gradually free himself or herself from them.
   
• In the systemic-interaction orientation, personal problems are seen as arising and persisting because of the interaction between a person and his or her environment. The aim of systemic psychotherapy is to modify the relationship between the person and his or her environment. This is why psychotherapists often meet people who are significant to their clients.