Development of Psychotherapy as an Object of Holistic Understanding and Systemic Research

The article presents critical analysis of psychotherapy research conducted in the modern psychology and it shows the lack of thorough methodological elaboration. A new approach to understanding the essence of psychotherapy is proposed. This approach also addresses the development of psychotherapy as a fundamental phenomenon that occurred in the European culture as a historical need, i.e. as a cultural and historical phenomenon in the full sense of the word. The essence and the integrity of psychotherapy can be understood only from within the development of a new psycho-technical culture in Europe. Based on this understanding a holistic, systemic and genetic approach to psychotherapy and feasibility of its examination is proposed. The steps of examining this approach and directions for the specific research are outlined relevant for this theoretical framework and research. Detailed attention is paid to the levels of functioning and development of the psychotherapy. The methodological bases of transitions in research from one level to another, up to the analysis of individual cases are proposed. The results obtained by the authors within this research framework are outlined and summarized.