Brief Therapy

Brief Therapy

‘…effective therapy depends far less on the hours you put in than on what you put into those hours’. (Lazarus, 1997)

Through rigorous research, the effective methods and techniques which facilitate long-term therapeutic benefits, are uncovered. Research additionally highlights methods and strategies, although commonly used by practicing therapist, nevertheless revealed as ineffective and unnecessary. In brief therapy, those techniques, which lack support in research investigations, are not employed.

Research in any field moves the area forward. Empirical investigation allows for successive development in the field of psychology, psychotherapy and hypnosis. Evidence-based practice thus, crucial in the provision of effective therapy. The importance of which cannot be underestimated. Establishing an evidence-based approach to the practice of therapy demands the therapist guided and informed by stringent criteria of empiricism, in researching, utilising treatment procedures and protocols.

Cognitive Behavioural Hypnotherapy, (CBH) is an integrated approach. Employing empirically supported or informed techniques with the welfare, functioning and safety of the client of principal concern. This involves the therapist studying and investigating evidence-based theory. Providing the client, with the best standard of treatment available to them.  It requires the therapist continually maintaining and updating their understanding of various important developments in psychotherapy, hypnosis, psychology and related fields. This comprehensive approach is vital to effective treatment and long-term gains form therapy.

Applying the knowledge of the stringent criteria of empiricism and its strengths, in selecting the most appropriate empirical research, tailoring techniques and protocol to the client, accounting for individual differences, preferences and needs of the client, is integral to the role of a therapist. In other words, adopting a multi-faceted approach incorporating clinical research, clinical experience, client needs and preference is crucial to effective treatment outcomes in therapy. In the incorporation of these factors, therapy efficiently conducted in a brief period of time.

Arnold A. Lazarus has written well over 200 articles in addition to 16 books on the topic of therapy and the practice of psychotherapy. He is widely regarded internationally as an authority in the field.

     ‘Good therapy is precise. A session should contain no unnecessary psychological tests, no protracted or redundant methods, no needless techniques, no prolonged silences, and as little dilatory rhetoric as possible. This requires not that the therapist gloss over important details, nor that he or she forgo thoroughness for sake of brevity, but that every intervention tell’.(Lazarus, 1997)

Extensive research has clearly illuminated that when therapy is evidence based and thorough it can be effectively conducted in a brief period of time. In particular, comparing brief therapy to older, outdated longer forms of therapy, evidence based brief therapy is comprehensive; it is systematic with successful treatment outcomes, including effective strategies for relapse prevention.