Theoretical orientation refers to the system of understanding human functioning and dysfunction applied by the clinician to his or her understanding of client/patient needs.
The commonly used traditional theoretical orientations include: behavioral, brief solution-focused, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, and psychodynamic. Others include existential, feminist psychology of women, reality, and gestalt. Theories are often combined to form eclectic or integrative orientations. Moreover, it refers to theoretical framework that a psychologist relies on to conceptualize and treat clients' problems. Examples of such orientations include psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, interpersonal, systems, and eclectic/integrative.