Changing Psychotherapeutics Patterns in Public Mental Health: From a Cognitive-Behavioral to Brief Psychotherapy Approach

Abstract

The psychotherapeutic framework is unquestionably an important variable in any therapeutic process, but maybe it is especially relevant when we are in the scope of Public Mental Health. The conditions are less flexible for proffessionals in this context. Thus, although we should consider clinical guidelines as our framework, the reality is so complex that requires us creativity and integration. This paper carries out a case study that illustrates precisely these characteristics. A social anxiety disorder was addresed from a Cognitive-Behavioral model initially to the perspective of Brief Psychotherapy in a second phase. A reflection on the complementarity of these and other models, what they provide us and how they tell us something different in the same case, is intended. In short, this paper tries to question what happens when we stick to a single view of reality, against our obligation as Mental Health professionals to adjust, expand and inquire from different perspectives to really get an overall understanding of our patients.