The Psychology Book

IN CONTEXT

APPROACH

Brief therapy

BEFORE

1880s Psychodynamic therapy, also known as insight-oriented therapy, emerges. It focuses on unconscious processes as manifested in a person’s present behavior.

1938 B.F. Skinner introduces “radical” behaviorism, which does not accept that thinking, perception, or any other kind of unobservable emotional activity can trigger a particular pattern of behavior.

AFTER

1958 American psychiatrist Leopold Bellak sets up a brief therapy clinic, where therapy is limited to a maximum of five sessions.

1974 US psychotherapist Jay Haley publishes Uncommon Therapy, describing Milton Erickson’s brief therapy techniques.

Psychotherapy ...