THE BRIEF THERAPY MODEL: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
The purpose of this paper is to examine the current literature on Brief Therapy (BT). To this end, a random sample of 64 current (conducted between 1982 and 1990) studies was drawn from the PsychLit database. Examination of these studies revealed that the current literature on Brief Therapy could be divided into three discrete categories:
(1) Studies discussing the differing types of Brief Therapy and the diverse patient populations which they serve;
(2) Studies delineating particular Brief Therapy programs;
(3) Studies examining the effectiveness of Brief Therapy.
The existing research conducted in each of these three areas is reviewed and discussed below.
Types of BT and the Differing Patient Populations
The Brief Therapy Model (sometimes referred to as "Short-Term Therapy") consists of various psychotherapeutic treatment strategies aimed at resolving problems that have, commonly, reached the point where patients can be said to be experiencing an element of crisis (Burlingame & Behrman, 1987). There are several different kinds of Brief Therapy models and they are used to provide treatment to diverse patient populations
With respect to the different kinds of brief therapy models, Hand (1988) has noted that some Brief Therapy paradigms focus solely on symptom treatment while others take a more holistic approach by aiming at the rehabilitation of the patient as a whole person. Similarly, Burlingame and Fuhriman (1987) noted that brief therapy can be event-oriented (this is a form of brief therapy that focuses in on some particular precipitating incident said to be causing the crisis), or it can be patient-centered ( this form of brief therapy is like the holistic approach just described), or it can be symptom oriented (this form of brief therapy focuses solely on the remediation of the patient's symptomology).
The literature indicates that Brief ...