ABSTRACT
From the Greek therapeia, for ‘‘healing,’’ therapy is the treatment of any form of disorder. Psychological therapy refers to treatment by psychological rather than biological or physical means. The term serves as an umbrella for many different types of techniques, all of which are intended to assist individuals in modifying their behavior and COGNITION and perhaps their emotional responses to particular circumstances. Therapy for athletes may be directed at any source of ANXIETYor STRESS experienced by a performer at any level of COMPETITION. Different types of therapy rest on different assumptions. For
example, some believe that the modification of behavior is dependent on a person’s understanding of his or her motives, while others feel that subjects can learn COPING STRATEGIES without exploring motives and just by changing their behavior. Still others APPROACH therapy through a combination of techniques, sometimes known as COGNITIVEBEHAVIORAL MODIFICATION. Beyond differences, most therapy is predicated on the alliance
between the principals: the therapist and the client. The client is expressly reminded that, to be effective, the alliance relies on his or her total honesty. In return, a nonjudgmental atmosphere is maintained as the therapist offers guidance designed to support the client and promote independence rather than indefinite reliance. Exercise has become part of the spectrum of therapeutic behaviors,
the term therapeutic exercise describing the specific treatment for both physical and psychological conditions. In fact, an Italian study found that ‘‘8 weeks of AT [aerobic training] may be more effective than NR [neurological rehabilitation] in improving maximum exercise tolerance and walking capacity in patients with MS [multiple sclerosis] and mild to moderate disability.’’
