Psychological Disorders Methods of Therapy

What is Psychotherapy? The treatment of psychological disorders or maladjustments by a professional technique

Who can perform psychotherapy? Licensed therapists –Doctors: Psychiatrist: has M.D. & residency Clinical Psychologist: PhD –Masters Degrees: Psychiatric social worker School psychologist Counseling psychologist Unlicensed therapists –Many AOD counselors –Hypnotists –Group facilitators

Psychoanalysis Based on work of Sigmund Freud Basic assumption: Illness is the result of unresolved conflicts from childhood. Often talks about early problems with parents, assumes individual has repressed conflicts/anger

Psychoanalysis Goal: –Therapist explores the “unconscious mind” for insight into conflicts helps remember forgotten experiences that still influence behavior Involves: –Free association –Dream Analysis –Resistance –Transference

Humanistic Therapy Basic assumption: “client” has not grown - but can cure him/herself. “Client-centered therapy” –Reflection of feelings –Provide conditions in which positive growth can take place Goal: –Therapist gives client “unconditional positive regard and acceptance.” –Problems are discussed (utilizing “active listening”) and the client comes up with solutions. Carl Rogers

Other Psychotherapies Play Therapy –Children may reveal true emotions, feelings during play Transactional Analysis (TA) –3 processes as part of our personality Parent – Judging & restricting behavior Child – Basic, spontaneous, dependant-behavior Adult – mature life oriented behavior

Biological Therapy (a.k.a. “medical model”) Basic assumption: The illness is a disease with a biological base. Goal: Treat chemical imbalances or reduce symptoms

Biological Therapy Drug Therapy –Usually do not cure behavior –Changes behavior so other treatments can be effective Electroconvulsive Shock Therapy (ECT) –Used less than drugs possibility of brain damage –Causes temporary unconsciousness & convulsion, then awakening Lobotomies – rarely done anymore ( controversial )

Behavior Therapy Basic assumption: The illness was learned through conditioning (and therefore can be unlearned). –Emphasizes behavior itself –Maladjustment because: Learned inadequate ways of behaving Never learned how to cope with everyday problems Goal: –Therapist alters reinforcements –Uses behavior modification techniques

Behavior Therapy Aversive Therapy –Change undesirable behavior by pairing it with punishment Desensitization –2 opposite responses cannot exist at the same time –Get rid of undesirable response by strengthening opposite response –Teach how to relax

Behavior Therapy Implosive Therapy –“floods” patient with anxiety to show that no harmful experiences will result thus causing situation to lose its power Simple Extinction Therapy –Assumes maladjusted behavior continues because it is somehow rewarded –So… minimize reward to reduce chances of behavior recurring Modeling –Change behavior by watching & initiating behavior of a model

Cognitive Therapy Basic assumption: The illness is the result of inappropriate thought patterns and misinterpretations. Goal: –Therapist teaches new thought patterns – uses cognitive restructuring.

Group Therapy Basic assumption: –Patient can benefit from interaction with others who have same problems – or the problems are the result of poor interactions Goals (vary with the group): –Get comfort, support, insight, and new understanding from hearing others –Work out new ways of interacting

Group Therapy Encounter Groups –Explore feelings & motives within a group Family Therapy –Entire family participates because behavior is in part resulting from maladjusted family Psychodrama –Act out problems in realistic role playing situations