Throughout the History of Psychology, various intervention modalities have been developed that have responded to the different ways of conceiving the problems of human beings, which have emerged over the years.
Thus, since the beginning of the use of the scientific method in psychology, there have been, firstly, Behavioral Therapies (First Generation), Cognitive-behavioral Therapies (Second Generation) and finally Contextual or Third Generation Therapies.
Each of these currents placed emphasis on one aspect or another of the person and the different theories on which they were based, all with the aim of recognizing facets that make up the life and way of behaving of human beings. In this sense, Let’s see what exactly Third Generation Therapies are for.
What do we understand by Third Generation Therapies?
Contextual or Third Generation Therapies are strongly influenced by the contributions of psychologist Steven C. Hayes, especially in Functional Contextualism a philosophy based on the scientific method that emphasizes the context of the person as the key to achieving success when treating any disorder.
Functional Contextualism could be defined as a current that proposes to directly influence the behavior and functioning of the person through the study of observable phenomena and variables present in their daily context. It focuses on the way in which actions and spaces play a role in the process of trying to achieve goals.
Thus, in Contextual Therapies not much emphasis is placed on the need to mitigate or eliminate discomfort but in making the person accept the ups and downs of life in a way that does not lead to self-sabotage, adapting to their context and developing a way of life compatible with their true interests and personal objectives (related to resources and abilities that you have available).
Some of the contextual aspects of the person that can be studied and modified are their verbal behavior, the moral values that make up their personality or the way they speak to themselves (internal monologue).
The contextual or third generation approach It is one of the most used in psychological consultations around the world both because it is based on an empirically based scientific philosophy, and because of its great variety of existing modalities within the same current.
What are the different Types of Third Generation Therapies for?
Currently we can find 4 main types of Contextual Therapies, all of them of proven effectiveness and that can help us treat one or another psychological alteration, based on the particular needs of each client.
1. Mindfulness-Based Therapy
Mindfulness or full attention is an attentional focus management technique which aims to help the person focus their attention on the present moment and explore what is happening inside them in real time, without being carried away by obsessions linked to memories of the past or estimates about what could happen in the future. future.
This technique also has a powerful scientific basis, so it can be used in all types of studies and experiments. In addition to that, it integrates a series of transcendental meditation strategies that have proven to be widely effective and that have been detached from the Buddhist and Hindu religious traditions from which they have been inspired.
The main bases of Mindfulness as a contextual therapy for self-exploration and self-regulation are total attention and focus on present feelings as they are, radical acceptance of one’s own experiences and living them actively, getting involved in one’s own goals and experiences. vital.
2. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy integrates various elements of Cognitive-behavioral Therapy with the conceptual bases of Contextual Therapies, and is based on the learning psychosocial skills that help the person live better.
In DBT, the therapist validates the feelings of the person being treated, but at the same time helps them train and acquire a series of more adaptive skills that will make them happier in their daily life.
This therapy It was initially designed to treat Borderline Personality Disorder but it is also commonly used in people with emotional instability, mood disorders, people with suicidal behavior or people with borderline personality disorder.
3. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is mainly based on language as the basis of any psychological problem or disorder that people may have.
Through training in various techniques for restructuring one’s own language that the therapist teaches the client, the latter will learn to improve your psychological flexibility ; That is, the ability to live and accept the present moment and adapt to the situations you experience daily.
4. Functional Analytical Psychotherapy (PAF)
Functional Analytical Psychotherapy emphasizes the importance of the therapeutic relationship and the behaviors that the client exhibits in consultation, to achieve change in the person and get them to overcome their psychological alteration.
In Functional Analytical Psychotherapy, The therapist will reinforce those positive behaviors, thoughts or impressions taking into account the context and particularities of each patient, and will detect the most problematic or maladaptive ones so that the client can analyze them, evaluate them and ultimately be able to change them.
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