Contextual therapy is responsible for providing tools so that you can direct and focus your life with greater flexibility, so that you make adjustments and balance your experiences based on events or your assessment on each occasion.
Currently, there are different quite complete training programs that can lead you to be the therapist you want and, above all, the therapist your clients need. However, the best option is offered by the European University with the Master in Contextual Therapies.
In this way, you will be able to learn the different models and build endless programs aimed at the prevention and intervention of different behavioral disorders.
Seeking scientific and objective solutions to mental disorders, psychotherapy based on the positivist logical model emerges. Its main objective was cure mental disorders applying the scientific method<
Previously, it was believed that mental problems were formed only in the minds of sick individuals, but psychology became interested not only in studying the individual, but also the relational sphere, including the context.
The greatest advances in this belief system were introduced by the philosopher Martin Buber, highlighting the idea that reality is made up of relationships. At the time, individual therapies were common, recognizing their limits, specifically in psychotic patients.
In 1957, the Institute of Psychiatry in Philadelphia, directed by psychiatrist Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy, launched a research project on family therapies. Thanks to these studies, Boszormenyi-Nagy is considered the father of contextual therapy and his work emphasizes the union of generations, interpersonal relationships and the processes of the psyche.
Integrative cognitive models of thinking for the treatment of mental disorders have advanced since their creation, and during studies over the last twenty years, it has been demonstrated that therapeutic models should not remain static, since people need treatments that respond to their needs. of society, and that is why context-specific therapies are necessary.
Contextual or third generation therapies, offer a new perspective on the treatment and representation of mental disorders that is, psychological problems in general.
What are contextual therapies
Contextual therapies, which are also known as third generation, They are responsible for examining people’s behavior in the context they are, instead of separating it from him. This means examining what a person values, what they say, and how they say it, including an analysis of each individual’s verbal behavior when interacting with others.
To better predict a patient’s behavior, psychotherapists must understand the context that affects their behavior and thus provide effective therapy treatment. Specifically, contextual therapy seeks an understanding of the meaning behind people’s emotions, actions and thoughts where context is included as a parameter.
radical behaviorism
Some authors claim that contextual therapies are direct descendants of radical behaviorism, however, agreeing with this statement would be reductionist, since it implies that the postulates of third generation therapies are the same as those of Skinner.
Third generation therapies include scientific findings, which have demonstrated results in the psychotherapeutic field to determine the effect of context and its elements on behavior. These psychotherapeutic interventions They precisely examine the differences between reality and the reality constructed by each person
Thus, contextual therapy is philosophically charged, and focuses largely on topics such as forgiveness, morality, justice and ethics. It also includes healing through generations leading to reconciliation and recognition.
It also seeks to reconcile these aspects that are in dissonance and direct them towards a cure, either for the pain they cause or to improve the patient’s relationship with their environment. The term contextual refers to all the people and things involved in the process.
What are contextual therapies
In contextual therapy, four aspects of interaction are considered: facts, behavioral interactions, individual psychology, and relationship-related ethical considerations. There are many exponents of contextual therapy, however, the main therapeutic models include:
Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT) – This therapy aims to reduce patients’ self-destructive behaviors and thoughts. It was developed to primarily treat borderline personality disorder. This method seeks to relieve emotional pain, perform reality checks, and maintain mindfulness while promoting tolerance.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): It is one of the most widespread models within relational examples, based on a broad philosophical theory that is the basis for this type of psychotherapy. It seeks to define the individual’s personal values and how to accept events.
Mindfulness-based therapy: This therapy suggests that we need to radically accept the present moment, highlighting that we must actively select our experiences, whether unsatisfactory or painful, allowing the individual to operate in the here and now. This therapy allows you to prevent thoughts about the past or future from taking over your mind, so you can decide in the current moment.
Functional analytical psychotherapy: This therapy focuses on the psychotherapist relationship. Its focus is the patient’s relationship with their psychotherapist and the learning opportunities that arise within the sessions. In this therapy model, changing certain behaviors depends on the close relationship created between patient and therapist.
Do you want to train as a therapist in contextual therapies?
In this area you will learn theoretical-practical foundations, with a wide possibility of training through master’s degrees and postgraduate degrees. As we already indicated, the most prominent among the options is the university master’s degree in contextual therapies offered by the European University, which It has the online modality with live classes and takes place over 12 months<
You will be able to learn about aspects such as the communication and listening skills used in contextual therapies, the techniques and strategies used, the theoretical framework on which they are based and the intervention in individual patients and in groups. At the end, professional internships are carried out and then you obtain an official degree issued by this study center.
This article is merely informative, at PsychologyFor we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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