What Happens in Insight-Oriented Therapy?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsElementsTechniquesConditions TreatedBenefitsEffectivenessConsiderationsGetting Started

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Elements

Techniques

Conditions Treated

Benefits

Effectiveness

Considerations

Getting Started

Close

Learn more about the elements of insight-oriented therapy and the techniques used. It’s also helpful to understand the conditions this type of therapy can help treat and the benefits it offers, as well as its potential limitations if you’re considering whether it’s the right therapy for you.

Elements of Insight-Oriented Therapy

Insight-oriented therapy is a type ofpsychodynamic therapy, which means that it focuses on the psychological factors that influence behavior. Although it has several formulations, there are common elements. One of these elements is the concept ofunconscious internal conflictsstemming from early life experiences.

Unresolved conflicts may cause problems in adulthood because they are hidden from conscious awareness. Signs that a client’s issues may stem from an internal conflict rather than their circumstances or some other external factor include experiencing:

Discomfort is common during therapy sessions when negative feelings are triggered. But as insight emerges, so does an increased understanding of one’s own behavior. This improved understanding helps put them in a better position to change dysfunctional behaviors that have been causing them difficulties.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Insight-Oriented Therapy Techniques

Some of the techniques that may be used in insight-oriented therapy include:

A Verywell Report: Americans Find Strength in Online Therapy

Conditions Insight-Oriented Therapy Can Help Treat

Insight-oriented therapy may be helpful with a wide range of mental health conditions, including:

Anxiety and Depression

People who suffer fromdepression or anxietysometimes experience feelings of inadequacy that may stem from problems in early life. Insight-oriented therapy can help clients explore these issues and gain insight into how they came to believe negative things about themselves.

The Best Online Therapy Services for Depression We Tried and Tested

Eating Disorders

Eating disorderssuch as anorexia nervosa are sometimes associated with unconscious conflicts related to the desire for control.Participants in insight-oriented therapy can come to understand why they feel the need for such rigid control over their eating habits and how this relates to conflicts from the past. This can help them develop healthier ways of coping with these feelings.

The Best Online Therapy and Support Services for Eating Disorders

Substance Abuse

Insight-oriented therapy can be a useful aid for those who wish toovercome addiction. Clients come to understand the motivations behind using substances and therapists can work with them to find healthier alternatives for dealing with difficult emotions.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Insight-oriented therapy can be helpful for people living withpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This therapy type may help them identify the underlying causes of their symptoms and guide them toward developing healthier ways of coping with triggers.

The Best Online Trauma Therapy, Tried and Tested

Psychosis

Insight-oriented therapy can also be helpful for individuals withsigns of psychosis. It provides them an opportunity to gain insight into what might be triggering episodes and how they could come to terms with these issues.

Insight-oriented therapy has been around for over 100 years and been found effective in treating a variety of mental health conditions.

Benefits of Insight-Oriented Therapy

Insight-oriented therapy can be a beneficial form of treatment for those who are willing to explore their thoughts and feelings in depth. It can help individuals understand why they feel the way they do, identify unhealthy patterns of behavior, and find healthier ways ofcoping with difficult emotions.

In addition, insight-oriented therapy can help people develop a better understanding of themselves and their place in the world. Thisincreased self-awarenesscan lead to positive changes in both personal and professional relationships.

Effectiveness of Insight-Oriented Therapy

There has not been an abundance of research on insight-oriented therapy. However, there is some evidence that incorporating insight into therapy is an important agent for change.

For example, a 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the relationship between insight andoutcomes after psychotherapy. It demonstrated the importance of insight during the therapeutic process.

Other studies have also found positive results. For instance, one piece of research also published in 2018 noted that insight-oriented therapy is helpful for people with bothpsychiatric conditionsand substance use issues.

Is Insight-Oriented Therapy Right For You?

Insight-oriented therapy can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, but it is not right for everyone. There are a few things to consider before beginning this type of therapy:

What to Expect During Your First Therapy Session

How to Get Started with Insight-Oriented Therapy

If you are wondering how to get started with insight-oriented therapy, here are a few tips:

How to Find a Therapist

Summary

If you are considering therapy, it is important to consider which approach would be most appropriate for you. Not everyone is suited for insight-oriented therapy.

In addition, it is important to ask the therapist about their experience with this type of therapy to ensure that you will beworking with a qualified professional. If you can commit to attending regular sessions and are willing to make changes in your behavior, insight-oriented therapy may be the right fit for you.

7 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jennissen S, Huber J, Ehrenthal JC, Schauenburg H, Dinger U.Association between insight and outcome of psychotherapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(10):961-969. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17080847Shafti SS.Classical approach as an operative outlet to clinical psychoanalysis in evolving societies.Int J Psychoanalysis Educ. 2019;11(1):5-18.Solano P, Quagelli L.On “free associative activities”.Psychoanal Rev. 2015;102(2):237-264. doi:10.1521/prev.2015.102.2.237Tursi MF, Baes Cv, Camacho FR, Tofoli SM, Juruena MF.Effectiveness of psychoeducation for depression: a systematic review.Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013;47(11):1019-1031. doi:10.1177/0004867413491154Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137-150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235Oldershaw A, Startup H, Lavender T.Anorexia nervosa and a lost emotional self: A psychological formulation of the development, maintenance, and treatment of anorexia nervosa.Front Psychol. 2019;10:219. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00219Adebayo A, Ebenezer AO, Daniel KO.Response of substance use patients to insight oriented therapy at federal neuropsychiatric hospital Aro, Abeokuta.Int J Psychother Africa. 2018;3(1):95-106.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Jennissen S, Huber J, Ehrenthal JC, Schauenburg H, Dinger U.Association between insight and outcome of psychotherapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(10):961-969. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17080847Shafti SS.Classical approach as an operative outlet to clinical psychoanalysis in evolving societies.Int J Psychoanalysis Educ. 2019;11(1):5-18.Solano P, Quagelli L.On “free associative activities”.Psychoanal Rev. 2015;102(2):237-264. doi:10.1521/prev.2015.102.2.237Tursi MF, Baes Cv, Camacho FR, Tofoli SM, Juruena MF.Effectiveness of psychoeducation for depression: a systematic review.Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013;47(11):1019-1031. doi:10.1177/0004867413491154Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137-150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235Oldershaw A, Startup H, Lavender T.Anorexia nervosa and a lost emotional self: A psychological formulation of the development, maintenance, and treatment of anorexia nervosa.Front Psychol. 2019;10:219. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00219Adebayo A, Ebenezer AO, Daniel KO.Response of substance use patients to insight oriented therapy at federal neuropsychiatric hospital Aro, Abeokuta.Int J Psychother Africa. 2018;3(1):95-106.

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Jennissen S, Huber J, Ehrenthal JC, Schauenburg H, Dinger U.Association between insight and outcome of psychotherapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(10):961-969. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17080847Shafti SS.Classical approach as an operative outlet to clinical psychoanalysis in evolving societies.Int J Psychoanalysis Educ. 2019;11(1):5-18.Solano P, Quagelli L.On “free associative activities”.Psychoanal Rev. 2015;102(2):237-264. doi:10.1521/prev.2015.102.2.237Tursi MF, Baes Cv, Camacho FR, Tofoli SM, Juruena MF.Effectiveness of psychoeducation for depression: a systematic review.Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013;47(11):1019-1031. doi:10.1177/0004867413491154Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137-150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235Oldershaw A, Startup H, Lavender T.Anorexia nervosa and a lost emotional self: A psychological formulation of the development, maintenance, and treatment of anorexia nervosa.Front Psychol. 2019;10:219. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00219Adebayo A, Ebenezer AO, Daniel KO.Response of substance use patients to insight oriented therapy at federal neuropsychiatric hospital Aro, Abeokuta.Int J Psychother Africa. 2018;3(1):95-106.

Jennissen S, Huber J, Ehrenthal JC, Schauenburg H, Dinger U.Association between insight and outcome of psychotherapy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.Am J Psychiatry. 2018;175(10):961-969. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2018.17080847

Shafti SS.Classical approach as an operative outlet to clinical psychoanalysis in evolving societies.Int J Psychoanalysis Educ. 2019;11(1):5-18.

Solano P, Quagelli L.On “free associative activities”.Psychoanal Rev. 2015;102(2):237-264. doi:10.1521/prev.2015.102.2.237

Tursi MF, Baes Cv, Camacho FR, Tofoli SM, Juruena MF.Effectiveness of psychoeducation for depression: a systematic review.Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013;47(11):1019-1031. doi:10.1177/0004867413491154

Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137-150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235

Oldershaw A, Startup H, Lavender T.Anorexia nervosa and a lost emotional self: A psychological formulation of the development, maintenance, and treatment of anorexia nervosa.Front Psychol. 2019;10:219. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00219

Adebayo A, Ebenezer AO, Daniel KO.Response of substance use patients to insight oriented therapy at federal neuropsychiatric hospital Aro, Abeokuta.Int J Psychother Africa. 2018;3(1):95-106.

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?