Basic principles of psychotherapy. I. Introduction, basic goals, and the therapeutic relationship.

This paper (Part I) outlines some fundamental principles of psychotherapy. The concept of "supportive" psychotherapy and the problems associated with those techniques are discussed, along with the advantage of learning basic principles of psychotherapy. The basic principles of psychotherapy are introduced in terms of basic goals. The techniques used in achieving the goal of an effective therapeutic relationship are discussed in detail. Other goals of creating an individualized patient model, making interventions, and monitoring countertransference are introduced but detailed discussion is left for Part II.