15.1- Some Types of Psychotherapy Focus on Providing Insight
Treatment of psychological disorders involves a continuous cycle of assessment, diagnosis, therapy, and application of treatment
approaches.
● Assessment is ongoing to ensure that the treatment approach is helping to manage the disorders so the individual can resume
normal daily function
Psychotherapy- psychological treatments aimed at changing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors
● When a therapist works with clients to help them understand their problems and work toward solutions
● Want to change their patterns of behavior
Psychodynamic Therapy- a therapist works with clients to help them gain insight about how their unconscious processes may be caus
inner conflict and impairing daily functioning
● There is little scientific evidence for the effectiveness of psychodynamic therapy in treating psychological disorder
Humanistic Therapy- treatment for psychological disorders in which a therapist works with clients to help them develop their full
potential for personal growth through greater insight
● Client Centered Therapy:
-a safe and comforting setting for clients
-active listening
-unconditional positive regard
15.2- Behavioral and Cognitive Treatments Aim to Change Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors
Directly
Many of the most successful therapies involve trying to change a client's behaviors, emotions, or thoughts directly
● The focus is on treating the client's maladaptive thoughts and behaviors
● Less focus on the underlying cause
Behavior Therapy- treatment for psychological disorders in which a therapist works with clients to help them replace maladaptive
behaviors with adaptive behaviors
● Unlearn behaviors that negatively affect their functioning
● Maladaptive behaviors can be replaced with adaptive ones through the use of classical and operant conditioning
● Desired behaviors are reinforced and maladaptive behaviors are punished or ignored
Social Skills Training and Modeling- the client is encouraged to imitate the displayed behavior, rehearse it in therapy, and later use th
learned behavior in the real world
Cognitive Therapy- treatment for psychological disorders in which a therapist works with clients to help them change disordered
thought patterns
● Cognitive restructuring
, ● Rational-emotive therapy
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)- treatment for psychological disorders in which a therapist incorporates techniques from cognitiv
therapy and behavior therapy to help clients correct faulty behaviors and maladaptive behaviors
● One of the most effective therapies for many types of psychological disorders, especially anxiety and mood disorders
15.3- The Context of Therapy Matters
Group Therapy- treating individuals in a group setting
● Many groups are organized around:
-a particular type of problem
-a particular type of client
● Benefits:
-lower cost
-the social support that group members can provide each other
Family Therapy- family therapy attempts to include all family members in the process of therapy, since the family is an important part
a person's life
● According to a systems approach, an individual is part of a larger context
Cultural Beliefs Affect Treatment:
● Different cultures have different views on what psychological disorders are and how or whether they should be treated
15.4- Biological Therapies are Effective for Certain Disorders
Biological Therapy- treatment for psychological disorders that is based on medical approaches to illness and disease
● Psychotropic Medications- drugs that affect mental processes and that can be used to treat psychological disorders
-act by changing brain neurochemistry
Drug Classification:
● Anti-Anxiety Drugs
-increase sense of calm
● Anti-Depressant Drugs
-increase positive mood
● Mood Stabilizer Drugs
-help even out moods
● Antipsychotic Drugs
-reduce symptoms of schizophrenia
● Stimulants
-decrease hyperactivity and distractibility
Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)- treatment for psychological disorders that involves administering a strong electrical current to the
client's brain to produce a seizure
● Is effective in some cases of severe depression