There are four major approaches to therapy: cognitive, psychodynamic, humanistic, and behavioral (Feldman, 2019). The latter two will be analyzed here in a dialogue based upon the case study of a woman named Sara, who has Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Humanistic therapy, which is less direct in its approach than other methods, relies on the belief that humans intrinsically yearn for self-actualization. Clients usually feel more supported (Feldman, 2019).
On the other hand, behavioral therapy relies on the assumption that “both abnormal behavior and normal behavior are learned” (Feldman, 2019, p. 738). It is especially beneficial in the case of anxiety issues, as it offers clients direct action to establish greater control (Norton & Price, 2007). The two approaches are thus highly complementary, as while humanistic therapy aims at perceiving and resolving inner troubles, behavioral therapy tends towards changing external behaviors (Feldman, 2019).
References
Feldman, R. S. (2019) Understanding psychology (14th ed.) McGraw-Hill Education.
Norton, P. J., & Price, E. C. (2007). A meta-analytic review of adult cognitive-behavioral treatment outcomes across the anxiety disorders. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 195(6), 521– 531. Web.