Conceptual Framework and Issues for a Goals‐Oriented Treatment Perspective: A Commentary on “Where Do We Go From Here? The Goal Perspective in Psychotherapy”

This commentary provides an evolutionary framework for the argument that motivation—goal striving—is central to animal and human life and governs most psychological processes, with implications for clinical practice. Neglect of clients' goals may seriously misdirect treatment; Systematic Motivational Counseling systematizes treatment of clients' motivational structure. Treatment of the consequences and determinants of clients' goals appears useful, as demonstrated in the case of alcohol abuse. The commentary then reexamines some currently popular goal-related concepts, particularly intrinsic versus extrinsic valuation and internality versus externality of goals, and argues for their reconceptualization on grounds that current conceptualizations have probably led to fallacious conclusions and may impair therapeutic effectiveness.