Two clinical psychologists, one psychodynamic and one behavioural, discuss what holds for psychotherapy in general. Which of the following statements are correct?
(A) All psychotherapies treat psychological distress through psychological means.
(B) The therapist, the therapeutic relationship and the process of therapy act as agents of change in the client.
(C) The process of psychotherapy begins with choosing the techniques of treatment.
(D) Usually the first one or two sessions yield enough clinical material for the initial clinical formulation.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → A, B and D only
(A) All psychotherapies treat psychological distress through psychological means. — Correct. Psychotherapies differ on many parameters, but they all <strong>treat psychological distress through psychological means</strong>.
(B) The therapist, the therapeutic relationship and the process of therapy act as agents of change in the client. — Correct. The therapist, the therapeutic relationship and the process of therapy become the <strong>agents of change</strong>, and this eases the client's distress.
(C) The process of psychotherapy begins with choosing the techniques of treatment. — Incorrect. Psychotherapy <strong>begins by formulating the client's problem</strong>. The choice of techniques comes later and depends on that clinical formulation.
(D) Usually the first one or two sessions yield enough clinical material for the initial clinical formulation. — Correct. The first one or two sessions usually give enough material for the <strong>initial clinical formulation</strong>, which may be revised as therapy goes on.
NCERT (2026-27): “TYPE OF THERAPIES … “… The clinical formulation is an ongoing process. Formulations may require reformulations as clinical insights are gained in the process of therapy. Usually the first one or two sessions yield enough clinical material for the initial clinical formulation. It is not advisable to start psychotherapy without a clinical formulation.” |