CBSE Class 12 Psychology (2026–27)
Chapter 5: Therapeutic Approaches
20 Important Questions and Answers
Therapeutic Approaches focuses on psychotherapy, therapeutic relationships, behaviour therapy, cognitive therapy, humanistic-existential therapy, alternative therapies, and rehabilitation.
1. What is psychotherapy? State its main objectives.
Answer:
Psychotherapy is a voluntary professional relationship between a therapist and a client aimed at solving psychological problems and improving mental health. It provides a safe and supportive environment where individuals can discuss their difficulties openly. The major objectives of psychotherapy are to reduce psychological distress, modify maladaptive behaviours, improve emotional well-being, and help individuals adjust better to their environment. It also aims to develop self-awareness, improve coping skills, and strengthen interpersonal relationships. Different forms of psychotherapy use various techniques, but all focus on promoting positive behavioural and emotional change in the client.
2. Explain the importance of the therapeutic relationship.
Answer:
The therapeutic relationship is a professional bond between the therapist and the client. It is based on trust, empathy, confidentiality, and mutual respect. A strong therapeutic relationship encourages clients to express their feelings and concerns honestly without fear of judgment. This relationship helps the therapist understand the client’s problems more accurately and design suitable interventions. It also motivates clients to participate actively in therapy and work towards change. The quality of this relationship significantly influences the effectiveness of treatment and contributes to successful psychological healing and personal growth.
3. What are the key characteristics of psychotherapy?
Answer:
Psychotherapy has several important characteristics. First, it involves a systematic application of psychological principles and theories. Second, it is conducted only by trained and qualified professionals. Third, it focuses on helping clients overcome emotional, behavioural, and psychological difficulties. Fourth, it is based on a confidential and supportive relationship between therapist and client. Finally, psychotherapy aims to bring positive changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. Through structured sessions and evidence-based techniques, psychotherapy enables clients to understand themselves better, resolve conflicts, and improve their overall functioning in personal, social, and occupational areas.
4. What is behaviour therapy?
Answer:
Behaviour therapy is a therapeutic approach based on principles of learning. It focuses on changing maladaptive behaviours rather than exploring unconscious conflicts. According to this approach, problematic behaviours are learned and can therefore be modified through appropriate learning experiences. Therapists identify undesirable behaviours and use techniques such as reinforcement, modelling, systematic desensitisation, and token economies to replace them with healthier responses. Behaviour therapy is particularly effective in treating phobias, anxiety disorders, and behavioural problems. It emphasizes present behaviour and measurable outcomes, making it one of the most practical and widely used therapeutic approaches.
5. Explain systematic desensitisation.
Answer:
Systematic desensitisation is a behavioural technique used mainly to treat phobias and anxiety disorders. Developed by Joseph Wolpe, it is based on the principle of reciprocal inhibition. In this method, the therapist first teaches relaxation techniques to the client. Next, a hierarchy of anxiety-provoking situations is prepared, ranging from least frightening to most frightening. The client gradually imagines or encounters these situations while remaining relaxed. Over time, the fear response weakens and is replaced by relaxation. This gradual exposure helps individuals overcome irrational fears effectively and develop confidence in dealing with anxiety-producing situations.
6. What is modelling in behaviour therapy?
Answer:
Modelling is a behaviour therapy technique based on observational learning. In this method, clients learn new behaviours by observing and imitating a model who demonstrates appropriate responses. The model may be the therapist, another person, or even a video demonstration. Positive behaviours displayed by the model are reinforced, encouraging the client to adopt them. Modelling is particularly useful for developing social skills, reducing fears, and teaching adaptive behaviours. By observing successful performance and receiving encouragement, clients gain confidence and learn healthier ways of responding to situations that previously caused difficulties.
7. Define cognitive therapy.
Answer:
Cognitive therapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on changing faulty thinking patterns that lead to emotional distress and maladaptive behaviour. It assumes that psychological problems arise from irrational beliefs and negative interpretations of experiences. Therapists help clients identify, challenge, and replace these distorted thoughts with more realistic and constructive ones. As thinking patterns change, emotions and behaviours also improve. Cognitive therapy is widely used for depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. It encourages logical thinking, self-reflection, and problem-solving, helping individuals develop healthier perspectives toward themselves and their environment.
8. What is Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT)?
Answer:
Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT), developed by Albert Ellis, is a form of cognitive therapy that focuses on identifying and changing irrational beliefs. According to Ellis, emotional disturbances arise not from events themselves but from the way individuals interpret them. REBT helps clients recognize unrealistic and self-defeating thoughts and replace them with rational alternatives. The therapist actively challenges irrational beliefs and encourages logical thinking. As a result, clients learn to manage emotions more effectively and respond to situations in healthier ways. REBT is particularly useful in treating anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
9. Explain Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).
Answer:
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) combines principles of cognitive therapy and behaviour therapy. It focuses on the interaction between thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. CBT helps clients identify negative thinking patterns and replace them with realistic thoughts while simultaneously modifying maladaptive behaviours. The therapist uses structured sessions, behavioural exercises, and problem-solving techniques to achieve therapeutic goals. CBT is highly effective for treating depression, anxiety disorders, phobias, stress, and other psychological problems. It is goal-oriented, time-limited, and evidence-based, making it one of the most commonly used psychotherapeutic approaches in modern psychology.
10. What is humanistic-existential therapy?
Answer:
Humanistic-existential therapy focuses on personal growth, self-awareness, and self-actualisation. It emphasizes human freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning in life. Therapists create a supportive environment where clients can explore their feelings and experiences without judgment. Rather than focusing on pathology, this approach highlights strengths, potential, and personal choice. The therapy encourages individuals to understand themselves better, develop authenticity, and make meaningful life decisions. Humanistic-existential therapy is particularly useful for people experiencing identity issues, low self-esteem, or difficulties related to purpose and personal fulfillment.
11. Describe client-centred therapy.
Answer:
Client-centred therapy was developed by Carl Rogers and is a major humanistic therapeutic approach. It is based on the belief that individuals possess an innate tendency toward growth and self-improvement. The therapist provides three essential conditions: empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard. Instead of directing the client, the therapist listens carefully and helps the individual explore feelings and experiences independently. This non-directive approach encourages self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal growth. By experiencing acceptance and understanding, clients become more confident and capable of solving their own problems effectively.
12. What is unconditional positive regard?
Answer:
Unconditional positive regard is a concept introduced by Carl Rogers in client-centred therapy. It refers to the therapist’s complete acceptance and respect for the client, regardless of their thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. The therapist avoids criticism, judgment, and rejection, creating a safe environment for self-exploration. This acceptance helps clients feel valued and understood, which promotes self-confidence and personal growth. When individuals experience unconditional positive regard, they become more willing to confront their difficulties honestly and work toward positive change. It is considered one of the most important conditions for effective psychotherapy.
13. What is Gestalt therapy?
Answer:
Gestalt therapy is a humanistic-existential approach that emphasizes awareness of present experiences. It encourages clients to focus on their thoughts, emotions, and behaviours in the “here and now” rather than dwelling on the past. The therapist helps individuals become aware of unresolved conflicts and incomplete experiences that may affect current functioning. Techniques such as role-playing and the empty-chair exercise are commonly used. By increasing self-awareness and personal responsibility, Gestalt therapy enables clients to integrate different aspects of their personality and achieve greater emotional balance and psychological well-being.
14. What are alternative therapies?
Answer:
Alternative therapies are treatment methods that complement conventional psychotherapies. These approaches include yoga, meditation, relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, and spiritual practices. They focus on achieving balance between the mind and body while reducing stress and emotional disturbances. Alternative therapies promote self-control, mental peace, and overall well-being. Many individuals use them alongside psychological treatment to improve recovery and quality of life. These therapies are especially beneficial in managing stress, anxiety, and psychosomatic problems. Their holistic nature makes them increasingly popular in mental health care.
15. How does meditation help in mental health?
Answer:
Meditation is a relaxation technique that helps individuals achieve mental calmness and emotional stability. Regular meditation reduces stress, anxiety, and negative thinking by promoting mindfulness and concentration. It improves self-awareness and helps individuals regulate emotions more effectively. Meditation also lowers physiological symptoms of stress, such as increased heart rate and muscle tension. By encouraging relaxation and inner balance, it contributes to better psychological well-being. Many therapists recommend meditation as a supportive practice for managing emotional difficulties and enhancing overall mental health. It is a simple yet powerful tool for maintaining psychological wellness.
16. What is rehabilitation of the mentally ill?
Answer:
Rehabilitation refers to the process of helping individuals with severe mental disorders regain their functional abilities and reintegrate into society. It focuses on improving social, occupational, and personal functioning. Rehabilitation programmes may include vocational training, social skills development, counselling, family support, and community-based services. The goal is to enhance independence, self-confidence, and quality of life. Rehabilitation recognizes that recovery involves more than symptom reduction; it also requires helping individuals lead productive and meaningful lives. Effective rehabilitation promotes social inclusion and reduces the stigma associated with mental illness.
17. What role does empathy play in psychotherapy?
Answer:
Empathy is the ability of the therapist to understand and share the feelings of the client from the client’s perspective. It is a crucial component of effective psychotherapy because it helps build trust and rapport. When clients feel understood, they are more likely to express their emotions openly and engage actively in therapy. Empathy allows therapists to appreciate the client’s experiences without judgment and respond sensitively to their needs. This supportive atmosphere promotes emotional healing, self-exploration, and positive change. Empathy strengthens the therapeutic relationship and improves treatment outcomes.
18. Differentiate between behaviour therapy and cognitive therapy.
Answer:
Behaviour therapy focuses primarily on modifying observable maladaptive behaviours through learning principles such as reinforcement, modelling, and conditioning. It assumes that problematic behaviours are learned and can be changed through new learning experiences. Cognitive therapy, on the other hand, focuses on changing distorted thinking patterns and irrational beliefs that contribute to emotional problems. While behaviour therapy emphasizes actions and responses, cognitive therapy emphasizes thoughts and interpretations. Both approaches aim to improve mental health, and they are often combined in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for greater effectiveness.
19. Why is confidentiality important in psychotherapy?
Answer:
Confidentiality refers to the therapist’s responsibility to keep information shared by the client private. It is essential because it creates a sense of safety and trust within the therapeutic relationship. Clients are more likely to discuss personal issues honestly when they know their information will not be disclosed without permission. Confidentiality encourages openness, which helps therapists understand problems accurately and provide effective treatment. It also protects the client’s dignity and privacy. Maintaining confidentiality is considered an important ethical principle in psychotherapy and contributes significantly to successful therapeutic outcomes.
20. What factors contribute to healing in psychotherapy?
Answer:
Several factors contribute to successful healing in psychotherapy. A strong therapeutic relationship based on trust and empathy is essential. The client’s motivation to change and active participation in therapy also play an important role. Professional competence of the therapist, appropriate therapeutic techniques, and a supportive environment further enhance treatment effectiveness. Positive expectations regarding therapy can improve outcomes as well. In addition, regular sessions and consistent effort from both therapist and client facilitate long-term improvement. Together, these factors help individuals overcome psychological difficulties and achieve better emotional and social adjustment.