According to Gehart (2015), traditional cognitive therapy assumes that an individual’s personal experiences have a higher influence on his/her perception compared to the influence of the underlying situation. Therefore, this approach focuses on an individual’s perception and thus addresses how he/she thinks about a situation to help him/her overcome the traumatic/stressful experiences. It is designed to reframe experiences as well as interpret events in a manner that helps individuals understand their perceptions which in turn helps them improve their level of control over those perceptions.

On its part, “new wave” cognitive therapy involves the use of concepts such as emotions, mindfulness, values, acceptance, metacognition, and goals. It focuses on helping a client modify his/her relationship with his/her inner experiences i.e. emotions and thoughts rather than the content of the particular experience. This type of therapy assumes that altering the way an individual responds to painful characteristics of his/her thoughts, feelings, memories, as well as physical sensations will enable him/her to do what he/she cares about (Gehart, 2015).

On the other hand, emotion-focused therapy (EFT) focuses on helping a client adopt strategies that promote his/her awareness, expression, utilization, transformation, acceptance, as well as regulation of his/her emotions. The process is generally a corrective emotional experience that the client shares with the therapist. This therapy aims to heighten self, regulating affect as well as create new meanings. Therapists encourage clients to face their ugly emotions to enable them to process as well as transform them. EFT assumes that transformation is possible when an individual accepts himself/herself as they are. Psychodynamic therapy aims to enhance a client’s understanding of himself/herself. Having this understanding enables them to alter their interpersonal behavior leading to the development of better adaptive relationships.

Reference

Gehart, D. R. (2015). Theory and treatment planning in counseling and psychotherapy. Nelson Education.