How does Analytical- Experiential therapy differ from cognitive-behavioural therapy in the treatment of Obsessive Disorders?
There are two fundamental aspects: the first is that Analytical-Experiental therapy is centered on the process of reducing the fear, the desperation or the inhibition which generates anxiety, that in turn, and to a very high level, manifests itself in obsessive thoughts and/or ritualistic compulsions, through a change in lifestyle and not in a management of thoughts or behaviours.
This lifestyle change has to be put into practice, to start off, with the introduction of new elements which help to prepare you for it. This happens in day to day life and under therapeutic guidance.
Secondly and more importantly, Analytical-Experiental therapy is based on the premise that obsessive disorders can be completely cured. If there exists a genetic predisposition this doesn’t mean you have to live with a chronic condition, if you restructure your lifestyle the disorder can go into complete remission, as has happened with many patients who have come through our centre.
You may ask me, what is the maximum amount of time and person goes with a relapse? I can tell you it is from the point therapy ended, four, three, two years, taking into account that this methodology has been developing for over seven years.
Analysis of the triggers
The Analytical-Experiental methodology is profound in its analysis of the triggers, and direct with regards to the changes which need to happen.
From the very beginning of therapy, you have to able to make changes which are agreed upon, never imposed, between therapist and patient. But these changes are the basis on which future success is built.
The percentage of efficiency is very high for adults, it has not been checked with children, and there is a particular case of resistance, the healing is delayed or less evident, when the patient who suffers from OCD, also suffers from a psychotic disorder (but this is a minority of cases).
All this information is obtained from the therapeutic work and results keep confirming, with more and more accumulating evidence, good results and the effectiveness of this methodology.
Clinical Psychologist
Jungian Analyst
Director of IPITIA
