Final answer:
Conrad's therapist in 'Ordinary People' employed Psychoanalysis as the therapeutic technique. This approach focuses on unconscious feelings and is different from CBT, Group Therapy, and Art Therapy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the novel Ordinary People, Conrad's therapist used Psychoanalysis as the primary therapeutic technique. The approach is evident in the sessions where the therapist delves into Conrad's unconscious feelings and past experiences to uncover the root causes of his emotional struggles. This method differs from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on the interplay between thoughts and behaviors, and from Group Therapy, where individuals receive support and insight from peers dealing with similar issues. Art Therapy, which involves expression through creative activities, was not the therapy used by Conrad's therapist in the novel.
Psychoanalysis was developed by Sigmund Freud and places a significant emphasis on uncovering and interpreting unconscious motivations and thoughts. In the story, the therapeutic process Conrad experiences is more aligned with this classic analytic approach rather than the more contemporary therapies like CBT, which integrates cognitive processes and behaviors, or client-centered therapy, a non-directive approach developed by Carl Rogers that emphasizes the patient's role in their healing.