Model Matrix: Bowen

CBT

Psychoanalytic

Bowen

Structural

Strategic

Experiential

Solution-focused

Narrative

Feminist

Key Figures

Ivan Pavlov, Watson, Thorndike, B.F. Skinner, and Bandura

Sigmund Freud, Dr. Josef Breuer, Karl Abraham, and Sandor Ferenczi 

Key Techniques

Downward Arrow, ABCs, match thoughts to feelings, replace unhelpful thoughts with useful thoughts, replace negative self-talk, and explore alternate schemas

Free association where clients talk about what comes to mind, therapeutic transference analysis, and interpretative intervention

How do problems arise and persist?

Recurring faulty cognitions result in problematic response patterns

Problems are caused by latent disturbances. Disturbances emanate from unresolved issues during an individual’s development or repressed trauma. Problems are rooted in the unconscious mind.

Therapy Objectives

To modify specific patterns of thinking / behaviors and to alleviate the presenting symptoms

To bring repressed conflicts to consciousness where they can be dealt with.

How does change occur?

Changed beliefs lead to changed behaviors

Change occurs when contingencies of reinforcement are altered

A therapist helps a client to bring underlying conflicts to the point of gaining insight and understanding that enables the person to resolve the problem

Therapist Role

Ask questions to challenge assumptions rather than directly challenging

Teach family that emotional problems are caused by unrealistic beliefs

Therapist should exercise technical neutrality (distant, uninvolved attitude). A therapist should not take sides in a client’s activated internal conflicts (the therapist should remain equidistant).