Contextual psychology: what it is and what type of therapies exist

When seeking psychological support it is important to know the therapist’s approach. And psychology is a heterogeneous science that encompasses different approaches, with its own concepts and techniques. In recent years, Contextual psychology is one of those that has grown the most and multiple studies support its effectiveness. But do you know what it is?

Throughout history, psychology went from being philosophically based to becoming more empirical and pragmatic. This is when behavioral and cognitive therapies came into their own. Today, the so-called third generation (or contextual) therapies are postulated as one of the most valid alternatives, adopting a more holistic view of the person.

What is contextual psychology?

Contextual psychology always considers the person in relation to his environment and his surroundings. Gives relevance to the sociocultural and communicational context of the person, taking into account that the vital situation and the connection with the environment are important to understand and achieve change.

This is in contrast to previous approaches, which focused on the specific symptom and how to modify it. Attention was paid mainly to the person, their thoughts, their behaviors and their reactions, but the importance of the global context in which they were immersed was not outlined.

The basis of this type of therapies is functional contextualism.

Main characteristics of contextual psychology

Thus, contextual psychology stands out for addressing the following elements:

When analyzing a problem, a discomfort or a trend, We have to look at the function it fulfills. That is, what are the effects, consequences or results that derive from it.People generate mental associations between various aspects of reality; associations that become more complex as we grow and that give rise to our way of seeing and understanding the world. If these associations are overly rigid or impractical, difficulties arise.Work oriented towards personal values ​​and goals is promotedregardless of the problem or discomfort that afflicts us.The aim is not to resolve the specific symptom, but rather to improve the life situation. of the person and their relationship with the environment.Great importance is given to languagewhile thanks to it we modulate our experiences.The relationship between therapist and patient plays an important role in change…Validating and legitimizing the symptoms, as well as promoting a better understanding of them, is a central component.Acceptance is promoted and the change of vision regarding the problem, instead of rejecting and trying to avoid discomfort at all costs.

What type of therapies exist within contextual psychology?

In short, contextual psychology does not seek to cure or correct “defective” behaviors. It is understood that each person acts coherently depending on their context. and determined by him. Thus, a change of perspective is sought that allows us to be at peace with what we experience instead of fighting against it.

Within this approach there are different therapies, also known as “third generation therapies”. Although there are multiple variants, the following are some of the best known and most relevant:

Mindfulness

More than a therapy, the mindfulness It constitutes a practice or a technique that can be part of various therapeutic processes. The term could be translated as “full consciousness” and designates a state of attention to the present without judgments. That is, it encompasses a series of exercises that help us observe what happens to us, both internally and externally, with acceptance and presence.

Thanks to regular practice we can change our way of perceiving events, experiencing emotions and reacting.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

The basis of this therapy is openness to one’s own thoughts, emotions and sensations., experiencing them without trying to do anything to make them disappear. By simply connecting with these internal elements we manage to recontextualize them and they stop generating discomfort.

On the other hand, a commitment is promoted when making the necessary changes, mainly focused on act consistent with one’s own values from each person.

Dialectical behavior therapy

Also known as dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), this alternative was devised (and is mainly used) to address borderline personality disorder. It is based on social skills training to improve relationships, as well as correct emotional regulation.

Dialectical behavior therapy was created by Marsha Linehan.

Functional analytical psychotherapy

This approach works with everything that happens within the framework of the consultation and in the patient-therapist relationship. It is the relationship itself (and the clinical context) that is used to elicit “clinically relevant behaviors”; that is, perceptions, emotions, verbalizations… with great meaning, and on which work is done to achieve change.

In short, contextual psychology promotes a holistic and integral vision of the person in relation to their environment. Analyze and work with it in a contextualized and not isolated way. Furthermore, interventions derived from this approach have been shown to be effective in the treatment of various psychological disorders, so it is likely that their relevance will continue to grow in the coming years.

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