Healing, ethics and alternative therapies

The essentials

Several factors contribute to healing in psychotherapy. Some relate to the technique and the therapist, while others, called non-specific factors, relate to the client and therapist as people.

Key points

• Factors contributing to healing: the techniques used; the therapeutic alliance; catharsis (emotional release as the client expresses feelings); patient variables (motivation for change, expectation of improvement); therapist variables (good nature, warmth, empathy, competence).
• Ethical standards for therapists:
• Informed consent from the client.
• Confidentiality of information.
• Relieving personal distress and suffering.
• Maintaining the integrity of the practitioner-client relationship.
• Respect for human rights and dignity.
• Professional competence and skills.
• Alternative therapies are alternative treatment possibilities to conventional drug treatment or psychotherapy, such as yoga, meditation, acupuncture, herbal remedies and so on.
• Yoga includes asanas, breathing (pranayama) and meditation. Research in India, including at NIMHANS, has studied Sudarshan Kriya Yoga (SKY), a rapid breathing technique, and found benefits for depression, stress and well-being.
• Kundalini yoga has been studied for treating mental disorders; vipassana meditation involves passive observation of thoughts and sensations to gain mindfulness.

Exam tips

• Learn the six ethical standards; questions often describe a breach and ask which principle it violates.

Common mistakes

• Thinking only technique matters; client motivation and therapist warmth strongly affect outcomes.
• Assuming alternative therapies replace all professional treatment; they are used alongside or as options.