Personality-Oriented Psychotherapy (POPT) not only takes the client’s personal resources into account in a special way through a function-analytical psychological understanding, but also their problems and difficulties. The basis of POPT is the functional analysis of personality.

The diagnostic system (TOP), which is based on the PSI theory, makes it possible to gain an overview of the emotional and cognitive systems. Through testing and the application of the theory, motives, qualities and competences that are relevant for the self and identity become visible.

PSI theory and TOP diagnostics complement conventional approaches in personality psychology which sees the causes of problems and symptoms primarily in mental content (e.g. cognitions, emotions and intentions). However, empirical studies have shown that good content (positive emotions, good thoughts and insights, locus of control or good intentions) is not sufficient if it cannot be implemented through the necessary functions. Thus, less content-related aspects (schemata, cognitions, emotions, intentions) are dealt with, but rather fundamental aspects of the self, such as motivation, motive structure and its implementation, central abilities of self-management, emotion and action regulation, and thus central aspects of identity, individual experience and action.

Personality-oriented psychotherapy is basically compatible with many psychotherapeutic approaches across schools, in particular with function-analytical psychotherapy.

This being the case, emphasis is placed on considering the cause level while taking the most current psychological research findings into consideration.