Psychotherapy its types. Psychotherapy: types and methods. The main directions of modern psychotherapy

Child psychotherapy is a collective concept that includes various psychotherapeutic approaches and methods used to treat children and adolescents with mental, borderline and psychosomatic diseases, aimed at and influencing the child and his environment.

Child psychotherapy usually begins with the establishment of a trusting relationship between the therapist and the child, and, if necessary, with the elimination of acute symptoms. The psychotherapist then carries out psychotherapy-oriented diagnosis of disorders, setting therapeutic goals, achieving them and monitoring effectiveness (Schmidtchen St., 1978). The final stage of child psychotherapy is the consolidation of the obtained therapeutic effect and the prevention of possible relapses.

According to a number of authors, child psychotherapy dates back to 1909, when Freud (Freud S.) published his work "Analysis of a phobia in a five-year-old boy." This is the first work in which the described psychological difficulties of the child and his illness are explained by emotional causes. However, the attempt to directly transfer the psychoanalysis of adults into child psychotherapy has been criticized, in particular due to the fact that the child, unlike adults, cannot fully describe his state in words and is not able to understand the connection of his present state with biographical experience. Methods and approaches of child psychotherapy were improved in parallel with similar developments for adults, however, almost from the very beginning of the birth of child psychotherapy, it had its own specifics.

Since 1919, Klein (Klein M., 1955) began to use game techniques as a means of analysis when working with children. She believed that children's play is just as driven by hidden and unconscious motivations as is the behavior of adults.

In the 1930s Levy (Levy D., 1938) proposed methods aimed at responding - structured play psychotherapy for children experiencing a traumatic event. He believed that in a game situation it is possible to respond to aggressive tendencies in behavior. At the same time, another area of ​​child play psychotherapy developed - relationship building therapy (Taft D., 1933; Allen F., 1934). The philosophical and methodological basis of this direction was the work of Rank (Rank O., 1936), who shifted the focus from the study of the life of the child and his unconscious to development, putting the focus on what is happening "here and now" in the emotional relationship between the child and the psychotherapist. . On the principles of client-centered psychotherapy, non-directive play psychotherapy was developed (Axline W., 1947). The purpose of this psychotherapy is self-knowledge and development of self-management of the child. In communication with a psychotherapist, the child gets the opportunity to play as he wants, or do nothing at all. At the same time, the psychotherapist does not control or direct the child, but only contributes to a more complete disclosure of him in various manifestations at the time of the meeting.

Since the mid 1950s. the Institute for Child Psychoanalysis A. Freud (Freud A.) began to function. Her approach to the psychoanalysis of children was even more theoretical and methodologically different from the psychoanalysis of adults than Klein's, since along with play methods, educational work was also assumed - the psychotherapist's active intervention in the child's relationship with the environment. Such a combination of two often contradictory roles is possible only with the high authority of the psychoanalyst in the child.

The above, of course, does not exhaust all the variety of psychotherapeutic approaches in child psychotherapy that currently exist. In particular, 2 fundamental orientations in child psychotherapy are distinguished - work directly with the child and work with his social environment (primarily with the family and the children's team). Both orientations can be implemented at different levels: motivational-emotional-affective, logical-cognitive, behavioral, psychophysiological. It is assumed that different psychotherapeutic areas may include methods of different orientation and level of influence. For example, child psychoanalysis in this consideration includes an orientation both to the child (game methods, etc.) and to the environment (work with parents in the form of various forms of family psychotherapy).

To build a psychotherapeutically oriented diagnosis, it is proposed to take into account 6 variants of etiopathogenetic factors: 1) situational problems; 2) problems in the family system; 3) cognitive and behavioral problems; 4) emotional disorders; 5) developmental disorders and personality disorders; 6) biological deviations. One factor is not enough for a complete understanding of the child's problems, and only their combination in various proportions leads to the construction of a satisfactory working hypothesis.

In our country, the problems of child psychotherapy were actively developed by a number of authors of the so-called Leningrad school, primarily A. I. Zakharov, V. I. Garbuzov, E. G. Eidemiller and M. I. Buyanov, A. S. Spivakovskaya, Yu. S. Shevchenko et al. The methodological basis of child psychotherapy is the complex use of various psychotherapeutic approaches within the framework of the main forms of psychotherapy (individual, family, group), taking into account the specifics and stages of ontogenetic development. The use of psychotherapeutic methods and their combination in specific individual (family) psychotherapeutic programs is determined by the stage of the neuropsychic development of the child (5 stages are distinguished: 1) the period of self-affirmation, the formation of the personality, its self-esteem and the system of relations - 2.5-4 years; 2) the period of shyness - 4-7 years; 3) the period of adaptation in a mass school - 7-8 years; 4) the period of adaptation of the individual in the team - 9-11 years; 5) adolescence - 11-20 years), as well as the age level of predominant neuropsychic response (4 levels are distinguished: 1) somatovegetative - 0-3 years; 2) psychomotor - 4-7 years; 3) affective - 5-10 years; 4) emotional-ideational - 11-17 years old). Almost all of the above authors note that the immaturity of the child's personality, the peculiarity of psychogenic factors leading to neurotic response, such features of the child's psyche as irritability, impressionability, a tendency to fantasize, affectivity, suggestibility, etc., make it impossible to mechanically transfer the methods of adult psychotherapy to child psychotherapy. The leading trend in the psychotherapy of children is the transition from symptom-centered to person-centered methods as patients grow older. The younger the child, the less nosologically differentiated his neuropsychiatric disorders and the more difficult their psychotherapeutic correction. So, for example, in the case of neuropathy syndrome (which is the least specific), the possibilities of psychotherapy are limited and consist mainly in the psychotherapeutic correction of the mother's educational approaches. Such an orientation in the psychotherapy of young children to work with the “mother and child” system is explained by the special importance and symbiotic nature of the relationship between the child and the mother in the first years of life (Garbuzov V.I., Zakharov A.I., Isaev D.N., 1977) .

In the period of self-affirmation, the formation of a personality, its self-esteem and the system of relations, the choice of a psychotherapeutic method is determined by the main psychological problems of the child and includes, in addition to therapeutic and pedagogical correction of the wrong style of family education (more often in the form of various options for family psychotherapy), methods of children's play psychotherapy that provide optimization of relationships with peers (Eidemiller E. G., 1988).

Psychotherapy in the period of shyness is also built taking into account the problems of the child; the volume of psychotherapeutic influence is expanding and involves the inclusion of family and individual, clarification-oriented psychotherapy. At this stage, group psychotherapy is of great importance. Its task is to emotionally respond to a conflict situation in a group and desensitize threatening images in the mind through their conditional image and overcoming in the game (Zakharov A.I., 1979).

Psychotherapy in the period of adaptation in a public school is more focused on overcoming communication difficulties. Along with individual and family psychotherapy, behavioral methods (contact desensitization, emotive imagination, paradoxical intention, self-assertion training) are actively used. Group psychotherapy is combined with family therapy.

In adolescence, the emphasis in psychotherapy is increasingly shifting to methods of personality-oriented psychotherapy - family and group in their interactional and structural models. At this stage, behavioral, especially hypnosuggestive, methods of psychotherapy are becoming less and less significant (Goncharskaya T.V., 1979).

Thus, modern child psychotherapy is based on the use of various complementary psychotherapeutic methods, taking into account the stages of the neuropsychic development of the child.

Founder: Sigmund Freud, Austria (1856–1939)

What's this? A system of methods by which you can dive into the unconscious, study it in order to help a person understand the cause of internal conflicts that arose as a result of childhood experiences, and thereby save him from neurotic problems.

How does this happen? The main thing in the psychotherapeutic process is the transformation of the unconscious into the conscious through the methods of free association, the interpretation of dreams, the analysis of erroneous actions... During the session, the patient lies on the couch, says everything that comes to mind, even what seems insignificant, absurd, painful , obscene. The analyst (sitting at the couch, the patient does not see him), interpreting the hidden meaning of words, deeds, dreams and fantasies, tries to unravel the tangle of free associations in search of the main problem. This is a long and strictly regulated form of psychotherapy. Psychoanalysis takes place 3-5 times a week for 3-6 years.

About it: Z. Freud "Psychopathology of everyday life"; "Introduction to Psychoanalysis" (Peter, 2005, 2004); "An Anthology of Contemporary Psychoanalysis". Ed. A. Zhibo and A. Rossokhina (St. Petersburg, 2005).

Analytical psychology

Founder: Carl Jung, Switzerland (1875–1961)

What's this? A holistic approach to psychotherapy and self-knowledge based on the study of unconscious complexes and archetypes. Analysis frees the vital energy of a person from the power of complexes, directs it to overcome psychological problems and develop the personality.

How does this happen? The analyst discusses with the patient his experiences in the language of images, symbols and metaphors. Methods of active imagination, free association and drawing, analytical sand psychotherapy are used. Meetings are held 1-3 times a week for 1-3 years.

About it: K. Jung "Memories, dreams, reflections" (Air Land, 1994); The Cambridge Guide to Analytical Psychology (Dobrosvet, 2000).

Psychodrama

Founder: Jacob Moreno, Romania (1889–1974)

What's this? The study of life situations and conflicts in action, with the help of acting techniques. The goal of psychodrama is to teach a person to solve personal problems by playing out their fantasies, conflicts and fears.

How does this happen? In a safe therapeutic environment, significant situations from a person's life are played out with the help of a psychotherapist and other group members. Role-playing game allows you to feel emotions, confront deep conflicts, perform actions that are impossible in real life. Historically, psychodrama is the first form of group psychotherapy. Duration - from one session to 2–3 years of weekly meetings. The optimal duration of one meeting is 2.5 hours.

About it:"Psychodrama: Inspiration and Technique". Ed. P. Holmes and M. Karp (Klass, 2000); P. Kellerman “Psychodrama close-up. Analysis of therapeutic mechanisms” (Klass, 1998).

Gestalt therapy

Founder: Fritz Perls, Germany (1893–1970)

What's this? The study of man as an integral system, his bodily, emotional, social and spiritual manifestations. Gestalt therapy helps to gain a holistic view of oneself (gestalt) and begin to live not in the world of the past and fantasies, but "here and now".

How does this happen? With the support of the therapist, the client works with what is going through and feeling now. Performing the exercises, he lives through his internal conflicts, analyzes emotions and physical sensations, learns to be aware of the "body language", the intonation of his voice and even the movements of his hands and eyes ... As a result, he achieves awareness of his own "I", learns to be responsible for his feelings and deeds. The technique combines elements of the psychoanalytic (translating unconscious feelings into consciousness) and the humanistic approach (emphasis on "agreement with oneself"). The duration of therapy is at least 6 months of weekly meetings.

About it: F. Perls "The Practice of Gestalt Therapy", "Ego, Hunger and Aggression" (IOI, 1993, Meaning, 2005); S. Ginger "Gestalt: The Art of Contact" (Per Se, 2002).

Existential Analysis

Founders: Ludwig Binswanger, Switzerland (1881–1966), Viktor Frankl, Austria (1905–1997), Alfried Lenglet, Austria (b. 1951)

What's this? Psychotherapeutic direction, which is based on the ideas of the philosophy of existentialism. Its initial concept is “existence”, or “real”, good life. A life in which a person copes with difficulties, realizes his own attitudes, which he lives freely and responsibly, in which he sees meaning.

How does this happen? The existential therapist does not simply use techniques. His work is an open dialogue with the client. The style of communication, the depth of the topics and issues discussed leave a person with the feeling that he is understood - not only professionally, but also humanly. During therapy, the client learns to ask himself meaningful questions, to pay attention to what gives rise to a sense of agreement with his own life, no matter how difficult it may be. Duration of therapy - from 3-6 consultations to several years.

About it: A. Langle "A Life Filled with Meaning" (Genesis, 2003); V. Frankl "Man in search of meaning" (Progress, 1990); I. Yalom "Existential Psychotherapy" (Klass, 1999).

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)

Founders: Richard Bandler USA (b. 1940), John Grinder USA (b. 1949)

What's this? NLP is a communication technique aimed at changing habitual patterns of interaction, gaining confidence in life, and optimizing creativity.

How does this happen? The NLP technique does not deal with content, but with process. In the course of group or individual training in behavior strategies, the client analyzes his own experience and models effective communication step by step. Classes - from several weeks to 2 years.

Family Psychotherapy

Founders: Mara Selvini Palazzoli Italy (1916-1999), Murray Bowen USA (1913-1990), Virginia Satir USA (1916-1988), Carl Whitaker USA (1912-1995)

What's this? Modern family therapy includes several approaches; common for all - work not with one person, but with the family as a whole. The actions and intentions of people in this therapy are not perceived as individual manifestations, but as a consequence of the laws and rules of the family system.

How does this happen? Various methods are used, among them the genogram - a “diagram” of a family drawn from the words of clients, reflecting the births, deaths, marriages and divorces of its members. In the process of compiling it, the source of problems is often discovered, forcing family members to behave in a certain way. Usually meetings of the family therapist and clients take place once a week and last for several months.

About it: K. Whitaker "Midnight Reflections of a Family Therapist" (Klass, 1998); M. Bowen "Theory of family systems" (Cogito-Center, 2005); A. Varga "Systemic Family Psychotherapy" (Speech, 2001).

Client Centered Therapy

Founder: Carl Rogers, USA (1902–1987)

What's this? The most popular system of psychotherapeutic work in the world (after psychoanalysis). It is based on the belief that a person, asking for help, is able to determine the causes himself and find a way to solve his problems - only the support of a psychotherapist is needed. The name of the method emphasizes that it is the client who makes the guiding changes.

How does this happen? The therapy takes the form of a dialogue that is established between the client and the therapist. The most important thing in it is an emotional atmosphere of trust, respect and nonjudgmental understanding. It allows the client to feel that he is accepted for who he is; he can talk about anything without fear of judgment or disapproval. Given that the person himself determines whether he has achieved the desired goals, therapy can be stopped at any time or a decision can be made to continue it. Positive changes occur already in the first sessions, deeper ones are possible after 10-15 meetings.

About it: K. Rogers “Client-centered psychotherapy. Theory, modern practice and application” (Eksmo-press, 2002).

Ericksonian hypnosis

Founder: Milton Erickson, USA (1901-1980)

What's this? Ericksonian hypnosis uses a person's ability to involuntary hypnotic trance - the state of the psyche in which it is most open and ready for positive changes. This is a "soft", non-directive hypnosis, in which the person remains awake.

How does this happen? The psychotherapist does not resort to direct suggestion, but uses metaphors, parables, fairy tales - and the unconscious itself finds its way to the right solution. The effect can come after the first session, sometimes it takes several months of work.

About it: M. Erickson, E. Rossi "The Man from February" (Klass, 1995).

Transactional Analysis

Founder: Eric Bern, Canada (1910–1970)

What's this? A psychotherapeutic direction based on the theory of the three states of our "I" - children's, adult and parental, as well as the influence of a state unconsciously chosen by a person on interaction with other people. The goal of therapy is for the client to become aware of the principles of his behavior and take it under his adult control.

How does this happen? The therapist helps to determine which aspect of our "I" is involved in a particular situation, as well as to understand what the unconscious scenario of our life is in general. As a result of this work stereotypes of behavior change. The therapy uses elements of psychodrama, role-playing, family modeling. This type of therapy is effective in group work; its duration depends on the desire of the client.

About it: E. Berne "Games that people play...", "What do you say after you said "hello" (FAIR, 2001; Ripol classic, 2004).

Body Oriented Therapy

Founders: Wilhelm Reich, Austria (1897–1957); Alexander Lowen, USA (b. 1910)

What's this? The method is based on the use of special physical exercises in combination with a psychological analysis of bodily sensations and emotional reactions of a person. It is based on the position of W. Reich that all traumatic experiences of the past remain in our body in the form of "muscle clamps".

How does this happen? The problems of patients are considered in connection with the peculiarities of the functioning of their body. The task of a person performing exercises is to understand his body, to realize the bodily manifestations of his needs, desires, feelings. Cognition and work of the body change life attitudes, give a feeling of the fullness of life. Classes are held individually and in a group.

About it: A. Lowen "Physical Dynamics of Character Structure" (PANI, 1996); M. Sandomiersky "Psychosomatics and Body Psychotherapy" (Klass, 2005).

Many of us at the word "psychotherapy" have associations with a white office and a man in a dressing gown of the same color, diligently writing something in his notebook. This is not to say that this picture is all that implausible, but there are many different types of individual and group psychotherapy in which the relationship between patient and therapist looks very different. Let's take a look at these approaches to broaden our horizons.

The main types of psychotherapy

The main task of the psychotherapist is to improve the patient's quality of life, and this requires a deep personal contact, since a person simply cannot open up without trusting the doctor. To create the necessary atmosphere, specialists use a variety of means, choosing the most effective method of work.

If we consider the methods in terms of the number of participants, then we can distinguish between individual and group types of psychotherapy. Rationality of use depends on the specific situation. For example, in groups it can help when people need to understand the non-uniqueness of their problem, examples of other people successfully resolving similar situations. Also, group sessions will help, if necessary, to see the full picture of interpersonal relationships. then family psychotherapy is used, which is one of the types of group approach. Such sessions can help with disagreements between spouses, individual therapy in such cases is ineffective, since the specialist needs to know the opinion of both partners in order to make an objective judgment. In addition, there are specific types of psychotherapy that involve only family communication, for example, the method of systemic constellations.

There is another classification of types of psychotherapy, which considers not the number of participants in the session, but the methods of influence used to reveal problems and resolve them. These include the following areas:

This list is constantly updated, as different people require different approaches. For some, the best way is a heart-to-heart talk with a psychotherapist, someone can find solace in dance or painting, and someone is able to find a way out of this situation by looking at it through the prism of a fairy tale.

Talking to a child about his anxieties and problems is sometimes like an interrogation in a prisoner of war camp: name, military rank, registration number - that's all you can find out. "Once upon a time there was a girl who looked like you"

Doris Brett

Child psychotherapy - it is important for parents to know what is the meaning of this concept, and in which case is it time to turn to a psychologist?

Unfortunately, taking care of the physical condition, providing good food or new toys, many moms and dads forget about such a side of the issue as mental health. But it is it that serves as the basis for the happiness of the child throughout his future life.

Child and family psychology and family psychotherapy are well-developed areas of modern science, which include a wide range of methods of work in a variety of situations.

The psyche of a child is a complex and multifaceted world with its own rules and foundations. If order reigns in this world, all its parts are in harmony with each other, then the child corresponds to the norms of mental development, can establish friendships, communicate and play, behaves adequately to his age.

If the baby suddenly becomes moody, restless, depressed, behaves aggressively or shows drastic changes in behavior, there is a good reason for this, which must be dealt with.

Even children from well-to-do families sometimes need specialist help! Surviving developmental crises and facing new challenges, the psyche of the child becomes more mature, but in order for growing up to occur without trauma, support is sometimes needed.

Psychology and psychotherapy of the family is based on theoretical provisions related to child psychology and personality psychology. In particular, the theory of personality and the periodization of the development of the psyche play an important role in the therapeutic approach.

Many specialists in child psychology consider the most complete and realistic periodization described by Eric Erickson. In childhood and adolescence, the personality in its development goes through the following stages:

1. In children of the first year of life, concepts of trust or distrust are laid. If the baby is treated with care, love and attention, it grows open. Otherwise, the baby, faced with indifference, shows shyness and isolation in the future.
2. Children from 2 to 3 years old. To describe this period, the concept of independence is suitable. The stage has its own behavioral and psycho-emotional features. At this time, the baby is potty trained, he receives the first lessons of autonomy. If parents scold a child for not coping with his own cleanliness issues, he develops a sense of shame, sometimes exaggerated.
3. Children from 3 to 6 years old go through a difficult period of adaptation in educational institutions. It becomes more difficult for the child, as he has to accept the rules of behavior, both at home and in the garden. The main principle of education is encouragement. With excessive control, a previously cheerful and smiling baby becomes a beech, a prickly hedgehog. The goal of the psychotherapist is to eliminate threatening images, to help overcome shyness with the help of group and individual techniques.
4. Children from 9 to 11 years old actively adapt, the stage completely depends on the previous formation. This is the age of consolidation with the team, the search for the best options for new conditions. The psychotherapist teaches the child not only to contact with the social environment, but also to provide for their own needs and the implementation of connections.
5. The last period is adolescence, from 11 to 17 years. This is the time when there is a need to expand the circle of communication and contacts, to create new ways of communication and connections. This is the formation of secondary sexual characteristics that affect the process of individualization. The psychotherapist helps to eliminate the problematic factors of the period - lack of confidence in one's attractiveness, low self-esteem, difficulties in communication and withdrawal from close relationships.

Psychotherapy for children involves several methods that are aimed at unlocking the potential of a small patient, at analyzing his problems, supporting and helping to overcome difficulties.

Each stage of growing up is characterized by its own distinctive features in the formation of the psyche. Therapy should be aimed at correcting crises for each individual period.

When is psychotherapy required, and when can you help the child on your own?

Many parents have the feeling that their family (unlike other families) is a stronghold of well-being and successful upbringing. But the principles of one's own infallibility should be reconsidered, if only to ensure that the child's future life develops successfully.

Not a single competent psychologist or psychotherapist will say that the parents are to blame for the fact that something is wrong with the child. Going to therapy does not mean signing your own worthlessness, it means accepting your responsibility and doing everything possible to make the child happy.

A good parent is not one who never makes mistakes, but one who is ready to correct his shortcomings and become the child's best friend.

In most cases, emotional and behavioral problems become an integral part of the personality. They do not require correction if they occur infrequently or do not interfere with socialization and personal well-being.

Family psychology and psychotherapy explores the possible causes of deeper disorders, including mental trauma, violence (psychological or physical), genetic predisposition, excessive workload, stress, and others.

In cases where a child grows up in an unfavorable environment, his mental state needs special attention.

Sometimes the situation turns out to be unsolvable within the family, mom and dad feel powerless and untenable in their upbringing. They are not able to cope with children's fears or help overcome depression.

For such periods, there is psychological counseling and psychotherapy, in which a specialist is involved in solving the problem.

Toddlers do not always share their thoughts with loved ones, but they will share without fear - if they feel that they are accepted, and not scolded or devalued by their experiences.

Some changes in habitual behavior can naturally cause anxiety in parents. Psychology and psychotherapy of the family suggests the possibility of corrective action in the following situations:

• parents fail to maintain authority and make the child obey;
• tantrums;
• fears that cannot be overcome;
• excessive shyness;
• aggressiveness;
• isolation;
• hyperactivity;
• problems communicating with peers.

Often, parents cannot solve problems on their own, but they also do not seek help from specialists. It is better to refuse prejudices and prejudices in the name of the well-being of the baby.

Family psychology and psychotherapy studies the dynamics of child-parent relationships, and a competent specialist creates optimal conditions for harmony in these relationships.

A baby shower doctor does not write a prescription with an effective drug. It creates optimal conditions and helps to cope with problems in such a way that in the end both the baby and the parents themselves find the most correct solution.

Types of psychotherapy

Psychotherapy of neurosis in children and adolescents requires certain conditions for carrying out:

1. The specialist must identify the problem, outline a plan of action.
2. The goals of treatment should be agreed not only with the parents, but also with the child in the form in which he can perceive it.
3. The psychotherapy of a family or one of the family members affects every person in the family structure. In order to improve relationships between relatives, the emphasis is on acceptance and benevolence, without judgment or criticism. Not only a specialist, but also relatives should try to accept each other as much as possible.
4. Important points in the organization of work are a certain schedule of sessions and the atmosphere in the specialist's office. To make the baby comfortable, it is good if there are toys nearby, felt-tip pens or drawing pencils, something that will help to relax.
5. The volume and choice of sequential methods depends on the condition of a small patient, on the duration and severity of internal conflicts, on the willingness to interact with a specialist.
6. Identification of factors that led to deviations in behavior or condition. Situations where, after severe stress, children continue to be in contact with the aggressor or in the same environment occur frequently. The correct identification of the source of psychological trauma contributes to rapid and significant progress in the therapeutic process.

The methods of child psychotherapy are diverse and varied, but they all serve the same task - to help the child cope with problems, get rid of fears and worries, and establish relationships with loved ones and peers.

Game techniques

Play therapy with children is one of the most comfortable techniques that help a child relieve tension, get rid of feelings and aggression. In the process of interaction, the specialist can not only see the hidden sources of the problem, but also gently correct them.

In addition, psychotherapy in the form of a game will be useful for the whole family, as it will allow parents and their child to return to the country of childhood.

Drawing by Vasilisa Rusakova

During the session, ordinary toys familiar to the child in everyday life are used, for example:

• dolls;
• cars;
• constructors;
• cubes;
• soldiers.

But each of them has its own purpose - baby dolls are used to analyze situations and problems with mom and dad.

Weapons, military vehicles - to correct aggression, monster figures - to overcome fears. There are several types of play therapy:

1. A structured technique is used if the baby often conflicts with peers, showing aggression, or vice versa, closes, refuses to communicate. The psychotherapist sets different situations in order to observe the behavior of a small patient, to correct his actions in the process. As a result, the most correct model of behavior and the ability to interact with others are developed.
2. The liberating technique is designed to eliminate fears and negative emotions. During the game, the child is invited to experience frightening situations in a comfortable environment and look at them from the other side. This allows you to reduce the level of stress, defeat your own fears.
3. The behavioral technique is aimed at making an independent decision in different everyday moments. Here issues of conflicts with parents are resolved, misunderstandings go away.

The game technique includes fairy tale therapy, which forms moral and ethical standards, promotes the development of imagination. Good fairy tales with a good ending set the child in an optimistic mood. By ridiculing negative characters, disharmony and fears are destroyed.

Drawing by Vasilisa Rusakova

Correction in the form of a game is diverse and effective. Each specialist has a number of developments aimed at achieving goals. This includes art therapy, sandblasting, modeling and drawing, and much more.

Family methods

In many correction processes, it is advisable to focus on interaction with all family members. It is often important to assess how well the parents are behaving and whether they need help.

In many cases, the psychotherapy of neurosis in children and adolescents is associated precisely with family issues.

But not always mom, dad or other relatives are ready to take responsibility, so the specialist has to make efforts to convince and involve adults in the treatment process.

If the spouses are unable to establish a trusting relationship with their child, a psychologist helps to resolve the situation in various ways.

It is best if the actions of all family members are directed in the same direction, that is, they must solve a common problem and find joint ways out of the situations that have arisen. Common goals bring parents and baby together and provide a good basis for further relationships.

Symbol drama technique

Katitimal-imaginative psychotherapy for children and adolescents (CIP or symbol drama) is Professor Leiner's original technique, the essence of which is to work with unconscious images and states.

Interesting

A complex term (katitimno-imaginative) will be much easier to understand if we consider the etiology of the words of the Greek language:

• kata - dependent, related to something;
• thymos - the emotional component of the soul, emotions;
• imago - image.

So this therapy works with the emotions and images that the child has.

Among parents, the short word "symboldrama" is more popular, formed from the word symbol (because the child uses an indirect, symbolic expression of his condition) and drama (because he tells and plays the plot in action).

The method is very effective, but not suitable for everyone, contraindications include:

• compensated schizophrenia;
• irreversible brain damage and epilepsy;
• low intellectual level or developmental delay;
• insufficient motivation;
• child under 5 years of age.

The essence of the technique is that the patient is introduced into a relaxed state.

The psychologist is affected by the direction of the images, forms a situation for the child to talk about his experiences.

During the storytelling process, the specialist asks questions or reacts with exclamations in order to ensure the deepest possible disclosure of the personality and confirm their participation in the process.

Symbol drama goes well with both game and family methods. Child psychotherapy is multifaceted and diverse, so that every parent and every child will be able to choose the option that they like. To help a child get out of his own problems and fears, first of all, you need to be there and actively look for answers to questions. The psychotherapist not only convinces the child of the existing support, but also helps parents to understand the child's inner world as much as possible. After all, who, if not their own moms and dads, can help out in a difficult situation, disperse evil monsters and restore good relations with friends. A specialist simply helps loving parents take care of the child.

Ask an expert in the comments

Psychotherapy is a specially designed system of influence on the human psyche for therapeutic purposes. It is a special type of interpersonal interaction in which the patient is provided with the necessary professional assistance by various psychological means, often with additionally prescribed medications.

An important condition for the effectiveness of treatment with the help of psychotherapy is the contact between the patient and the psychotherapist. The ability of a doctor to feel and empathize, to correctly assess the emotional state of the patient creates the necessary atmosphere for successful treatment, which contributes to recovery.

The main types of psychotherapy in psychology

Psychotherapy is divided into several types:

Personal orientation;

Hypnosuggestive;

Rational;

Autogenic training

Behavioral.

1. Personal orientation is aimed at the patient's awareness of the immediate causes of the disease, and also corrects inadequate reactions and behavior.

2. Hypnosuggestive is carried out with the help of suggestion, which is fully manifested in hypnosis, that is, a transitional state of consciousness that differs from wakefulness and sleep. Hypnosis occurs with verbal or non-verbal exposure. To do this, a number of methods are used.

3. Rational in medical practice is used most widely. It includes techniques of emotional influence, suggestion and logical argumentation.

4. Autogenic training differs from the hypnosuggestive type in the more active participation of the patient himself in the treatment process. It is used to increase the realization of the capabilities of the individual and the body. The main element in it is muscle relaxation.

5. Behavioral is aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease itself and changing the command, which is fixed by habits.