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The history of mental illnesses and the treatment for them is a long one, dating back to the days of the ancient Egyptians up to modern day
psychotherapy. Throughout the centuries and decades that have past the very essence of therapy has begun to shift dramatically towards
positive forms of therapy, new ways to help the individual not only heal and cope, but also master his strengths to live a life of well being,
happiness and contentment. In my work, I aimed to present this evolution of Psychological therapy, a process which began not too long ago
and yet could dramatically transform the whole therapeutic field forever. This is the story of Positive Therapy.
Ancient Times
From the deserts of
ancient Egypt to the
castles of Medieval
Europe, man has
wondered what is the
nature of mental illness
and how to treat it
The mental disorder was
viewed as anything from
the disintegration of the
relationship between man
and god, split of the
spirit and soul, the self
and the body or devils
and demons possessing
us into a state of
madness
Positive Therapy
Based on Positive Psychology,
new forms of therapy emerge
displaying new models of
treatment:
• PREVENTION model
• ENHANCING, not just
FIXING
• Short term fix to LONG
TERM SOLUTION
• Utilizing character strengths
and positive traits
The Mental Disorder
End of 20th Century
• Positive Psychology is being
applied
• Therapists are now using Positive
therapeutic techniques and
processes
• Researchers and therapists are
developing Positive Therapy
literature and research
• Clients are improving their
wellbeing, not just
Psychopathological symptoms
• Positive Psychology
is introduced
• Focusing on
STRENGTHS
AND VIRTUES
• Focusing on POSITIVE
EMOTIONS, TRAITS
AND INSTITUTIONS
Early 20th Century
Classical Psychotherapy
emerges with the works
of Sigmund Freud and so
begins the
Psychodynamic Era,
investigating the mind
and behavior and
treating human mental
illness and disease for
the first time
In the midst of the 20th century
Philosophical movements such as
Existentialism and Humanism rise
and give way to notions later
adopted in positive therapy such as:
• our own ability to:
CREATE MEANING
• the ability to CHOOSE
• becoming an ACTIVE AGENT
• HEALTH model instead of
DISEASE model
Present Day
Cognitive Therapy
• A slow process of
disillusionment from
psychodynamic
treatment
• Focusing on Stimulus ->
Thought -> Emotion, not
the unconscious
thoughts and
psychopathological
defense mechanisms
Mid 20th Century
Late 20th Century –
The Positive Shift
Begins
Positive
Therapy
Classic
Therapy
Positive
Psychology will
Disappear
Positive
Psychology
will be
embedded in
Psychological
therapy
Positive
Psychology
will fail