Constructivist metatheory: implications for psychotherapy

Abstract

This paper analyzes the development of cognitive therapies to provide an idea of the state of the art, reflecting its extant different trends. Cognitive therapies that are not the result of the efforts of a single creator but of several independent thinkers (Beck, Ellis, Kelly) along with the "cognitive-behavioral" trend. In the eighties, the development of a constructivist perspective (Guidano, Liotti, Mahoney, Neimeyer) within the cognitive realm suggest the idea of "a revolution within the revolution." In describing the present situation we follow the distinction proposed by Mahoney & Gabriel (1987) between rationalist and constructivist perspectives. This bears important implications for conceptualizing the client's problem and providing therapy. Further distinctions are suggest to propose a taxonomy for the cognitive therapies. Within the rationalist perspective we can distinguish between skills training (self-control, problem solving, coping) and cognitive restructuring. Among the constructivist therapies we distinguish evolutive approaches (structural, human change processes, piagetian) from the classical personal construct therapy. Although such a diversity provides a rich heritage, it also presents some problems regarding the identity and internal coherence of cognitive therapies. The need for a theoretical foundation based on cognitive psychology is especially highlighted.