GENERAL-PRACTICE OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology has developed a variety of specific techniques that are applicable to specific emotional problems, thus enabling brief psychotherapy to be particularly effective. In the past it was said that therapist and patient had only one chance to solve present and future emotional distress, a criterion applied to no other form of intervention. By combining dynamic and behavioral therapies into intervention designed to ameliorate the presenting life problem, using a multimodal group practice, professional psychology can define its own area practice. This general practice of psychology postulates that throughout the life span the client has brief, available, effective interventions designed to meet specific conditions as these may or may not arise. When such techniques are available, brief psychotherapy is the treatment of choice for about 85% of those seeking help, leaving long-term therapy for those clients who are best benefited by a protracted intervention. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1979 American Psychological Association.