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    What Are Mental Health Theories

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    This document provides an introduction to mental health theories, including a list of the major theories developed over the past 50-100 years and the schools of thought that guide therapists. It explains that the theories attempt to understand human development and well-being from perspectives such as biology, psychology, spirituality and the social, and that they influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

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    What Are Mental Health Theories

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    This document provides an introduction to mental health theories, including a list of the major theories developed over the past 50-100 years and the schools of thought that guide therapists. It explains that the theories attempt to understand human development and well-being from perspectives such as biology, psychology, spirituality and the social, and that they influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

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    This document provides an introduction to mental health theories, including a list of the major theories developed over the past 50-100 years and the schools of thought that guide therapists. It explains that the theories attempt to understand human development and well-being from perspectives such as biology, psychology, spirituality and the social, and that they influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

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    This document provides an introduction to mental health theories, including a list of the major theories developed over the past 50-100 years and the schools of thought that guide therapists. It explains that the theories attempt to understand human development and well-being from perspectives such as biology, psychology, spirituality and the social, and that they influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

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    What Are Mental Health Theories

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    This document provides an introduction to mental health theories, including a list of the major theories developed over the past 50-100 years and the schools of thought that guide therapists. It explains that the theories attempt to understand human development and well-being from perspectives such as biology, psychology, spirituality and the social, and that they influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.

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    You are on page 1of 7

    What are mental health theories?

    (Includes
    list)
     Kori D. Miller

     18-02-2020

    Have you ever met with a counselor or therapist and thought, “ This is not a good
    option?” "It might have had something to do with the theories they use to inform
    their practice.

    Counselors and therapists around the world receive training in the theoretical
    foundations of mental health. They learn to use those theories to support their work
    with clients. These professionals use diagnostic tools based on old and new theories
    of well-being.

    What are these theories and who created them? That's what you'll learn as you
    continue reading.

    This article contains:


     What are mental health theories?
     A look at models and methods
     Mental Health Counseling Theories
     A list of popular mental health theories
     Popular mental health theories about well-being
     A message to take home
     References

    What are mental health theories?


    In the sciences, a theory is more than a simple assumption. It is a "coherent group
    of propositions formulated to explain a group of facts or phenomena in the natural
    world and confirmed repeatedly through experiments or observations"
    (Dictionary.com, n.d.).

    Theories could be created about almost anything, but it is rigorous testing that
    distinguishes simple theories from scientific ones. Not all theories will survive
    these types of tests. In fact, acceptance or rejection of parts of theories is not
    unusual.
    Theories developed 50-100 years ago fall into six broad categories. They still
    influence us today. You may recognize them as:

     Analytical/developmental (Freud, Jung, Erickson, Kohlberg)


     Behavior (Watson, Skinner, Pavlov)
     Cognitive (Tolman, Piaget, Chomsky)
     Social (Bandura, Lewin, Festinger)
     Humanist (Rogers and Maslow)
     Personality (Erickson's theory of psychosocial development)

    From these, many contemporary theories followed. Some are specific to a domain
    such as development. Others use neuroimaging to explain why we do the things we
    do.

    Mental health theories strive to explain human behavioral, psychological, and


    social development. For many years, researchers focused on alleviating pain or
    suffering. The focus was on what was wrong with a person and how to fix it. A
    person was not supposed to be able to strengthen his well-being.

    A look at models and methods


    Mental health and wellness experts draw on other areas to inform their perspective.
    They also review a person's mental health within context. An act may be
    psychopathological in one cultural context but not in another.

    The main areas from which counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists acquire
    knowledge about mental health are (Dasgupta, 2013):

     Spiritual – This approach explains who we are in the world and how we should
    act. It also tells us what we can expect after death based on our actions. The
    spiritual perspective discusses good and evil in relation to suffering.
     Moral character : This perspective states that there are certain virtues that a
    person needs to learn. Doing so allows the individual to live a better life free of
    mental illness.
     Statistics – based on mathematics, seeks to define what is “normal” or
    “average” for populations. Anyone who falls outside the norm is abnormal.
     Disease/medical/biological (genetics, neuroimaging, neurobiology): This
    approach explains mental health in relation to changes in the brain. The well-
    known case of Phineas Gage is an example. A bar pierced his left frontal lobe.
    This affected his personality and behavior. Before the accident, people enjoyed
    his company and thought he was trustworthy. Afterwards, they described him
    as moody, disgusting and untrustworthy.
     Psychological (psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive-behavioral,
    existential/humanistic): Mental health develops along an expected path. People
    try to adapt to their environment to survive within it. Problems arise when a
    person learns maladaptive strategies in response to new situations.
     Social – Biology, psychology, and society affect a person's mental health. The
    influence of social norms is important for the adaptive or maladaptive behavior
    of the individual.
     Psychosocial (social learning model): Researchers in this area study the
    relationship between a person's (psychological) thoughts and their social
    behavior. This includes the meaning that a person gives to their psychological
    processes. According to Bandura, people learn through observing and modeling
    other people's behavior (McLeod, 2016).
     Biopsychosocial : the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors
    explains mental illness. This depends on the person and their environment.

    Methods

    Diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses vary, but many therapists use the
    Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This tool provides
    clear definitions and criteria for more than 265 disorders. Diagnosis usually
    includes a physical examination, including laboratory tests, and a psychological
    evaluation (Mayo Clinic, n.d.).

    There are approximately 20 classes of mental illnesses, covering everything from


    neurodevelopmental disorders to paraphilic disorders.

    Some treatment methods include medications, psychotherapy, brain stimulation,


    inpatient and residential treatment programs, and substance abuse treatment.

    There are three ways to experience therapeutic intervention. Sometimes therapists


    use a combination of these. Each environment emphasizes confidentiality and
    creates a safe space for people to share.

     Individual Counseling – This is a one-on-one session with a trained counselor.


    Depending on the type of therapy used, these sessions can continue for months
    or years.
     Group Counseling – People with similar challenges work together with a
    trained counselor. The objectives are to talk about problems, share knowledge
    and solutions.
     Family therapy – This method involves helping a family improve their
    communication. Through the guidance of a licensed therapist, they learn
    conflict resolution techniques. Not all family members necessarily participate,
    and it is often short-term.
    Mental health counseling theories
    There are five schools of thought that attempt to explain mental health. Many
    therapists and counselors operate from one or two of these.

    Theories guide the services and interactions that therapists have with their clients.
    This is important to know because it can affect how well you and your therapist
    "click."

    The five schools of thought are:

    1. Behaviorism : Behavior is the result of life experiences, not the unconscious


    mind. We learn through our experiences with our environment. This approach
    is all about conditioning. It is focused on the present.
    2. Biological – This is a medical model for treating mental disorders. The idea is
    that something physical is the cause of mental illness. Symptoms are “external
    signs of internal physical disorder” (McLeod, 2018).
    3. Psychodynamics : Like behaviorism, psychodynamic therapists view behavior
    as a result of experiences. However, one of the differences is that they focus on
    past experiences. They claim that unconscious forces drive people's behavior.
    The client and therapist review the terrain explored to achieve greater
    understanding. This therapeutic process can take many years.
    4. Cognitive : The emphasis of this theory is on thinking, not doing. A feedback
    loop exists between the person's assumptions and attitudes, their resulting
    perceptions, and the conclusions drawn from them (Grace, n.d.). These
    therapists work to help a person change their thoughts. Doing this leads to a
    change in feelings and behavior.
    5. Humanistic – Three different therapies can help people reach their full
    potential. Client-centered therapy, developed by Carl Rogers, allows the client
    to investigate who they are at their core. The therapist creates an environment
    of empathy, acceptance and authenticity. This encourages the client in their
    self-exploration. Gestalt Therapy, created by Frederick Perls, focuses on the
    present and involves role-playing. Existential therapy is about ownership of
    life, including all its mishaps. The responsibility for life is one's own.

    It is easy to understand how a therapist influenced by one of these theories might


    interact with a client. Positive psychology practitioners , for example, primarily
    follow humanistic theories. One would expect this therapist to be empathetic and
    emphasize ownership and responsibility. Sessions would include a healthy dose of
    self-exploration, especially related to developing strengths.
    A list of popular mental health theories
    Every theory of mental health comes from one of the five areas above or a
    combination of them. Here is a brief overview of the theories derived from those
    broader categories.

    Network theory explains that “mental disorders arise from direct interactions
    between symptoms” (Borsboom, 2017). Biological, psychological and social
    influences facilitate the connection between psychopathological symptoms.

    Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) focuses on helping a person change destructive


    thoughts and behaviors. It is a type of psychotherapy that helps a client identify and
    manage problems quickly. The approach is goal-oriented and often involves
    homework. Homework helps reinforce in-person sessions. It is the “gold standard
    in the field of psychotherapy” (David, Cristea, & Hofmann, 2018).

    Operational conditioning remains a popular approach. Whether used by therapists


    or fitness trainers, it involves identifying the cue-routine-reward pattern. The goal
    is to change the person's behavior by changing the routine and sometimes the
    reward. It is often used in the treatment of OCD through exposure therapy.

    Exposure therapy allows the person to engage with the source of their anxiety in a
    safe space. The goal is to slowly and gradually increase the person's exposure to
    their fear. There are several variations of exposure therapy (APA, n.d.).

    It is useful in the treatment of:

     Phobias
     panic disorder
     Social anxiety disorder
     Obsessive compulsive disorder
     Post-traumatic stress disorder
     Generalized anxiety disorder

    Classical conditioning also remains a popular treatment for phobias through the use
    of systematic desensitization. This is a variant of exposure therapy (Grace College,
    2016).

    Popular mental health theories about well-being


    Self-Determination Theory of Motivation (SDT) and, more specifically, Basic
    Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT) posit that autonomy, competence, and
    relatedness are the primary supports for well-being and optimal functioning (SDT,
    nd). these are defective, then the person's well-being decreases. Intrinsic motivation
    increases through the satisfaction of meeting these needs (read more about intrinsic
    training here ).

    The theory of broadening and building positive emotions (Fredrickson, 1998, 2000)
    changed the discussion about emotions. Much of the psychological theories and
    research before this dealt with negative affect. These are emotions such as anger,
    fear, sadness, guilt, and shame (Stringer, 2013).

    Fredrickson argued that negative emotions create a kind of tunnel vision. Positive
    affect broadens one's perspective. Positive emotions such as awe, joy, and gratitude
    expand the experience within the environment. The theory does not advocate
    ignoring negative emotions. Instead, consider the ramifications of continuing to
    ignore the positive ones.

    The focus of PERMA Wellbeing Theory (Seligman, 2011) is to help people thrive.
    Promotes the creation of skills that allow you to flourish (Center for Positive
    Psychology, sf). Many contemporary theories attempt to help a person reduce
    suffering. PERMA's theory of well-being states that well-being consists of five
    elements:

    1. Positive emotion: These emotions increase our hedonic happiness.


    2. Commitment: this is the flow that Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi analyzes. Being
    absorbed in the search is the reward.
    3. Relationships: Support is essential for our survival and emotional well-being.
    4. Meaning: Serving or working in a capacity that contributes to something larger
    than ourselves gives us a sense of purpose and meaning.
    5. Achievement: We like to pursue achievements for the sake of it.

    Each of these contributes to varying degrees to a person's ability to thrive. Positive


    psychology therapists and coaches often use this as a backdrop for their sessions.

    A message to take home


    There are several theories about mental health, but they all come from one of the
    five schools of thought. They are behaviorism, biological, psychodynamic,
    cognitive and humanistic.

    In recent years, there has been a movement toward studying how people flourish.
    This is positive psychology. Unlike previous years, this field of research explores
    what humans already do well. Doing this type of research helps others increase
    their chances of thriving.
    If you seek help from a therapist or counselor, it is important to know the basis of
    their approach. You don't want to see a behavioral psychologist to develop how you
    can find meaning in your life. They are best suited to help you change, develop or
    extinguish a habit.

    The continued study of mental health, including the more positive aspects, is
    essential for the well-being of each person.

    What are you doing today to flourish in your life?

    If you enjoyed reading about mental health theories, why not visit mental health
    books for even more reading material?

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