Short Term Therapies - Defining Features

Short-term therapy, is a generic label for any form of therapy in which time is an explicit element in treatment planning.

Defining features:

1. Time is a key element: Therapy is “time limited,” allocating a fixed number of sessions for clients.
2. Focus: Therapy targets specific patterns rather than attempt broader personality changes.
3. Activity level of the therapist: Therapists adopt active methods to maintain the focus of treatment and promote self-understanding and change.
4. Activity level of the client: Clients are absorbed in change efforts between sessions, as well as during them.
5. Client selection: Therapy typically begins with an assessment to determine the appropriateness of brief treatment for a particular client.
6. Enhanced experiencing: Methods, including hypnosis, relaxation techniques, introspection, confrontation, exposure, and role playing, enable individuals to experience themselves and their problems in new ways.
7. Emphasis upon readiness for change: When clients are not aware of or not committed to changes, brief therapy goals focus on advancing readiness for change
8. Emphasis on impact of intervention: Therapists emphasize promotion of corrective emotional experiences rather than exhaustive insight into past conflicts.

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