http://psyjournals.ru/en/mpj/2012/n4/63446.shtml

Abstract

The article puts forward several ideas as important to establishing a theoretical basis for therapeutic and counselling psychology. A three-component model is suggested for describing and analysing various therapeutic approaches: 1) concepts ("What is thought of as changing during this particular kind of psychotherapy?"), 2) process ("How does the change occur?") and 3) values ("What for?"). The three-component model is then used to compare three major psychotherapeutic approaches (psycho-dynamic, cognitive#behavioral, humanistic) and the basic differences and similarities of the approaches are outlined. The author also discuss various understandings of therapeutic relationships and compare the medical and psychological models of psychotherapy. Various interpretations of such crucial terms for talk-based therapies as "language", "signifier and signified", "symbol" and "sign" are discussed. The need to further develop the theoretical foundation of the helping practice of the psychological professions is stressed.

Keywords

• the therapeutic psychology
• therapeutic approach
• language
• signifier and signified
• symbol
• sign